Brandi-Layne Simpson and Stephen Paul Johnson were united in marriage at First Baptist Church of Inverness on June 1, 2013.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Eugene Simpson of Greenwood. Her paternal grandparents are Mr. John Hugh Simpson of Coffeeville and the late Glenda Cohea Simpson. Her maternal grandparents are Valinda Clanton Bruce of Sidon and the late Jerry Layne Bruce.
The groom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Bobby Lewis Johnson of Inverness. His grandparents are the late Mr. and Elmer Lewis Johnson and the late the late Mr. and Mrs. Jack Boutwell.
The double ring ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Jimmy McClendon. Musicians for the ceremony were Sandra Bell Steele, pianist, of Inverness; Paul Vance Brown, organist, of Greenwood; and Susan Fulgham Gilbert, soloist, of Indianola. Along with selected prelude music, solo selections included “Surely the Presence” and “The Lord’s Prayer.” Program attendants were Abby Selette Gilbert of Indianola and Peyton Elizabeth Scott of Inverness.
In keeping with a garden theme, the outside railing of the church was decorated with white tulle and greenery. The initials of the bride and groom covered in sheet moss with white baby’s breath and shear white ribbon hung on the double doors at the church entrance. A tall arrangement of hydrangeas, roses, orchids and belles of Ireland greeted the guests as they entered the foyer. The sanctuary was decorated with palms and a variety of ferns, along with pew markers of white tulle, roses and baby’s breath. The altar area was lighted by candelabras and unity candle tapers that were lighted by the couple’s mothers, as part of the ceremony, and a single pillar later lighted in by the couple.
The bride entered the sanctuary on the arm of her father, wearing a white designer dress by Mori Lee of lux taffeta with a sweetheart neckline. The ruched bodice was attached to a fitted waistline of embroidered beads and crystals from which fell a gathered skirt with a chapel-length train. The bride’s chapel-length veil was also embroidered with beads and crystals. She carried a cascading bouquet of white orchids, white garden and bridal roses and white stephanotis.
Serving as maid of honor was Brittany Kirsten Overstreet of Greenwood. Bridesmaids were Jennifer Blanche Clanton, cousin of the bride, of Slidell, La.; Laney Elizabeth McNeer of Ridgeland; Jennifer Layne Smyly of Oxford; Helen Claire Norwood of Greenwood; Rachel Simcox Ward of Leland; Lauren Bradshaw Austin of Brandon; and Kristina Megan Slaughter of Holcomb.
Ann Keeton Overstreet, daughter of Brittany Kristen Overstreet, and Madison Jeanine De’Armis, daughter of Jennifer Blanch Clanton and Allen De’Armis, attended the bride as flower girls.
The groom’s father served as best man. Groomsmen included Brandon Eugene Simpson, brother of the bride, of Greenwood; William Brady Smith, Charles Martin Smith, Will Jacobs IV and Victor Todd Fulton, cousin of the groom, all of Inverness; Brent Rogers Cobb of Richland; and Jason Dewitt Cobb of Madison. Honorary groomsman was Barry Keith Johnson, brother of the groom, of Inverness.
Attending the groom as ring bearer was Mason Clayton De’Armis, son Jennifer Blanch Clanton and Allen De’Armis.
Ushers were Adam Nicholas Austin of Brandon, Joshua Bennett Austin and Jared Douglas Clark, both of Indianola, and Mark Cameron Hardin of Greenwood.
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at the Indianola Country Club. The bride’s table held a five-tiered cake centered on an antique sliver cake stand. The cake was decorated with cascading pink roses running the length of the cake.
The groom’s cake was a single-layer chocolate cake decorated as a golf course. Alongside the cake were cupcakes in shapes of golf balls and tennis balls in a variety of flavors.
On the eve of the ceremony, the groom’s parents entertained the wedding party and special guests at a rehearsal dinner at Town and Market Restaurant in Inverness.
After their honeymoon in Negril, Jamaica, the couple is at home in Inverness.
