ASHBURN — Allison Michelle Whitehead of Ashburn and Stephan Alan Ray of Tifton were united in marriage during a 6 p.m. ceremony Saturday, December 20, 2008, at Ashburn First Baptist Church with Rev. David Smith and Rev. Raymond Scott officiating. The bride is the daughter of Allen and Judy B. Whitehead of Ashburn. Parents of the groom are Carl and Brenda Ray of Tifton. Grandparents of the bride are Shirley Brock and the late Bobby Brock, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Whitehead and the late Loretta Whitehead, all of Ashburn. The groom’s grandparents are the late Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Braddy of Sycamore, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Dempsey Ray of Tifton.

The sanctuary was adorned with two ceiling-high Christmas trees accented with white and gold Chrismons. A green wreath tied with a gold bow hung below the baptistry between the two trees.

Guests were greeted by Brittany Brown and Kayla Lumpkin at the bride’s guest table and Catherine Raines, who directed the ceremony.

Candles were lit in memory of the groom’s late grandparents and uncle, Melvin Ray, by the groom’s sister and brother, Diane Lindsey and Mitchell Ray. In memory of the bride’s late grandparents, candles were lit by Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Whitehead, Mason Purvis and Mr. and Mrs. Harold Waldrip.

To announce the arrival of the bridal party, the preschoolers and children of First Baptist Church entered the sanctuary ringing bells and were seated in a place of honor.

Escorted by her father, the bride wore an ivory, strapless Duchess satin gown with a drop-waistline accented with an ornamented café-colored belt. The skirt was fitted and extended into a mermaid bottom and sweep train. She also wore a tiara adorned with crystals and pearls and a finger-length veil. The bride carried a hand-held bouquet of miniature ivory calla lilies.  Her bouquet was accented with white wax flowers and Christmas greenery and stems wrapped in ivory ribbon.

The bride’s sister, Rebecca Whitehead, served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids included Amy Huff, Mary Purvis, Kristin Marshall, Teri Swarengin, Megan Troupe and Jessica Fields. Julia and Libby Scott served as junior bridesmaids.

The bride’s attendants wore a floor-length, black satin dress accented in ivory.  Cut in the princess style, the upper bodice was strapless with an ivory and black embroidered band detailed with clear crystal beads with the back accented with covered buttons that continued onto the train. They carried three long-stem red roses accented with Christmas greenery.

Lauren Lindsey and Sara Ruth Raines served as flower girls, each carrying an ivory satin basket with red rose petals.  They wore ivory-colored, satin, floor-length sleeveless dresses featuring a banded neckline, princess-cut bodice and an A-line skirt and the back of the bodice adorned with covered buttons and two black bows at the waistband.

The groom and his groomsmen wore a Ralph Lauren Starwood three-button single breasted tuxedo with a black and red striped tie and vest and a red boutonniere. Carl Ray, father of the groom served as best man with groomsmen including Jess Lindsey, Walt Whitehead, Mitchell Ray, Lee Varnadoe, Tyler Ray and Ryan Woodard. Joshua Ray and Drayton Lindsey served as junior groomsmen. Christopher Bobo served as ring bearer.

Wedding music was presented by Gina Lawhon, pianist, and Daphne Scott and Jonathan Perry, vocalists, and the King’s Kids Children’s Choir of First Baptist Church, singing “Our Father,” a children’s version of “The Lord’s Prayer.”



RECEPTION

Guests attended a reception honoring the bride and groom in the fellowship hall, hosted by the bride’s parents, decorated with a Christmas tree positioned at the point of intersection of the refreshment tables. The reception area was decorated by Dawn Waldrip and catered by Dianne Huff.

The day before the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at The Three Graces at Lankford Manor in Tifton with a barbecue buffet.

The bride is a currently employed with Tifton Banking Company, and the groom is employed as a financial advisor with Wells Fargo Advisors.