Gavan - Coggins

POPLAR BLUFF -- Veronica Caitlin Gavan and Brian Daniel Coggins were united in marriage during an afternoon ceremony March 19, 2005, at the First Christian Church in Poplar Bluff. The Rev. Don Hutto of Arkansas performed the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Rebecca Gavan of Doniphan and the late David Gavan. She is the granddaughter of Clyde and Shirley Shearrer of Piedmont and John Dinkins of Patterson.

Parents of the bridegroom are Glen and Debbie Coggins of Bloomfield. He is the grandson of Bobby and Carol Vandiver of North Little Rock, Ark.

The sanctuary was adorned with arched candelabra.

The bride wore a strapless gown of white matte satin. The A-line creation was highlighted on the neckline and down the front of the skirt with a treatment of beads and crystals. A chapel-length detachable train completed the elegant bridal ensemble. Pearls with rhinestone and crystal accents and a fingertip veil detailed the delicate headpiece worn by the bride, who was escorted by her brother, Jason Gavan, currently residing in Kaunas, Lithuania, and given in marriage by her brother and mother.

Maid of honor was Tessa Gavan of Piedmont, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Brooke Boston of Piedmont, cousin of the bride, and Jennifer Davis of Cape Girardeau, friend of the bride. They wore black chiffon floor-length gowns accented at the neckline with black satin trim and spaghetti straps. Flower girl was Mallory Huff of Piedmont, and she wore a black dress complimentary to the bridesmaids' gowns. The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet created with red roses, white mini calla lilies and English Ivy styled with a foliage collar of lemon leaf and dracaena. The attendants carried complimentary bouquets created with red roses. The flower girl carried a pomander of red sweetheart roses.

Serving as best man was John Gandt of Cape Girardeau, friend of the bridegroom. Groomsmen were Steven Williams of Dexter and Brian White of Poplar Bluff, friends of the bridegroom. Ushers were Jason Massey and Jason Musgrave of Bloomfield and Brandon McClure of Springfield, all friends of the bridegroom. Candlelighters were Jesse Hillis and Kevin Seal, both of Piedmont, cousins of the bride. All the men in the wedding party wore Perry Ellis tuxedos and boutonnieres of red roses fashioned with Italian ruscus.

The mothers wore corsages created with red roses and Italian ruscus.

Lindsey Fowler of Piedmont, cousin of the bride, attended the guest book.

A reception was held following the ceremony at Perkins Banquet Hall in Poplar Bluff. Guests enjoyed a dinner followed by a dance. The bride's table was decorated with a three tier square-layered cake decorated with fresh red roses. The bridegroom's table featured a chocolate cake depicting his favorite guitar. A reception highlight was a flowing chocolate fondue fountain.

The bride was honored with a shower on Feb. 12, hosted by Tessa Gavan and Rebecca Gavan in Piedmont. She was also honored with a personal shower on March 6, hosted by Hannah Gandt in Cape Girardeau. Elaine Pursell and Denise Griffin honored the couple with a shower on Feb. 13 in Bloomfield. A 1999 graduate of Clearwater High School, the bride will graduate in December from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in early childhood education. This fall she will student teach at Bloomfield Public Schools and Dexter Public Schools.

The bridegroom is a 1996 graduate of Bloomfield High School. He graduated in May from Southeast Missouri State University with a degree in computer science and minor in physics. He is employed in the IT Department at W.W. Wood Products in Dudley.

Following a honeymoon to Negril, Jamaica, the new Mr. and Mrs. Coggins are making their home in Dexter.