Rogers, Drake unite in marriage

Mrs. Paul Drake

Briana Rogers and Paul Drake were united in marriage March 10, 2007, at 4 p.m. Officiating was Bro. Pat Alvey of Tyler.

The ceremony took place on the steps of the chapel on the grounds of historic 1850s Roseland Plantation near Ben Wheeler. Doors to the chapel were open and the magnificent stained glass glowed in the afternoon sunlight. A large arrangement of gladiolas, calla lilies, gerbera daisies, roses, Stargazer lilies, tulips and Alstroemeria lilies in various shades of pink was displayed on a large white column. The rustic brick walkway was lined with stately old ornamental trees in full white bloom. Family chairs were marked with bright pink tulle bows.

Briana is the daughter of Suzan and Cody Shaw and the granddaughter of Pat and Roy Martin, all of Chandler, formerly of Corsicana. She is the great-granddaughter of the late Ralph and Opal Chaney, Louise White, and Carrie Wilson, all of Corsicana.

Paul is the son of Janice and Richard Drake of Livingston and the godson of Tom and Kathy Hutzler of San Antonio, Texas. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Cox of Livingston and the late Mr. and Mrs. Howard Drake of San Angelo, Texas.

Guests were registered by Brooke Bickham of Dilley and Lauren Vanderford of Missouri City. Wedding programs were distributed by Ben Bickham of Dilley and Bradley Vanderford of Missouri City, all cousins of the bride.

At precisely 4 p.m., Landon Greig of San Angelo, cousin and godson of the groom rang the large bell on the plantation grounds to signal the start of the wedding.

As the families of the couple were seated, Rick Greig of San Angelo, uncle of the groom, sang "The Wedding Song," accompanying himself on the guitar.

Maid of honor was Lacy Crossley, of Chandler, best friend of the bride.

Bridesmaids were Courtney Pool of Athens, high school friend of the bride; Michelle Riggins of Livingston and Kasie Scritchfield of Carrollton, both sorority sisters of the bride. Junior Bridesmaid was Kaylee Shaw of Chandler, sister of the bride.

Bridesmaids wore tealength, sleeveless, V-neck dresses of black taffeta featuring a band of bright pink under the bust line, ending in a flat bow in back. They wore pink Swarovski Crystal necklaces and earrings, a gift from the bride. They carried round cluster bouquets of bright pink gerbera daisies.

Best man was Brennan Drake of Houston, brother of the groom. Groomsmen were Chad Hinton of Longview, college roommate of the groom; Jonathan Boultinghouse of San Leon, friend of the groom, and Tyler Rogers of Chandler, brother of the bride.

Ushers were Clayton Lemons and John Smiley, both of Chandler, friends of the couple.

The groom wore a black tuxedo with white shirt, long black tie, black vest, and black pocket silk. His boutonniere was a pink mini calla lily.

Groomsmen and ushers wore black tuxedos with white shirts, long black ties, and bright pink vests and pocket silks. Their boutonnieres were bright pink Gerbera daisies.

The wedding party entered to Pachelbel's "Canon in D".

White paper lace cones filled with bright pink rose petals adorned each aisle seat along the garden path. Guests were instructed to sprinkle these petals on the walkway as the bride approached.

As Lohengrin's "Wedding March" played, the bride entered on the arm of Tyler Rogers, her brother, serving as proxy escort in the absence of the bride's grandfather, Roy Martin who was hospitalized and too ill to attend. The bride carried the boutonniere her grandfather would have worn. She stopped and placed it on the chair he would have occupied. After the bride was given in marriage by her family, Tyler stepped back to take his place as groomsman.

For her wedding, Briana chose a diamond white formal gown featuring a beaded strapless moulded bodice and a full ball gown skirt of many layers of tulle, sparkling with brilliants. Her bridal bouquet was made of tulips, gerbera daisies, roses, and calla lilies in bright pink. She observed the tradition of wearing something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. Her pearl necklace and earrings were family pieces handed down to her by the groom's mother.

After the bridal party was in place in front of the minister, Rick Greig sang "I Will Be Here."

Following the double ring ceremony, a reception was held on the Plantation grounds. Scattered over the lawn were round tables covered in long black table cloths. Each table displayed a clear water bowl containing pink stones and votive candle. Bright pink rose petals were

sprinkled over the tables.

Guests served themselves Bean & Hardy Engaged from a buffet in the 1850s ballroom. The railing of the steps to the ballroom was wrapped in bright pink tulle and pink twinkle lights. Ferns and topiary trees inside and outside the ballroom were also draped in pink twinkle lights. Bright pink tulle bows were used as decorations throughout.

The menu included smoked salmon over cream cheese, a fruit cascade, vegetable platters, dips, cheese trays, assorted crackers, hot meat balls, roast beef, turkey, and ham surrounded by party breads and condiments. Nuts and mints were served from silver trays. Serving tables were covered in black table cloths. Silver candelabra held pink candles. Pictures of the bride in silver frames were on the bride's table and the groom's table.

The bride's table was centered with a large flower arrangement in various shades of pink. Punch was served from a silver punchbowl. The wedding cake featured alternating round and square tiers of pale pink and bright pink and was adorned with fresh flowers.

The groom's cake was in the shape of a basketball and was surrounded by pyramids of chocolate chip cookies, the groom's favorite dessert. Coffee was served from a silver pot.

A wine bar was arranged on the front porch of the ballroom. Champagne toasts were led by the maid of honor and best man. Iced bottled water was available from large tubs on the lawn.

A large white tent outlined in pink twinkle lights covered a dance floor. Guests were entertained with musical selections selected by the couple for dining and dancing pleasure throughout the evening. The couple's first dance was to Jimmy LeFave's "Never Is A Moment."

Later in the evening, the bride was joined on the dance floor by her sorority sisters as "We Are Family, (All My Sisters and Me)" by Sister Sledge was played. Following that dance, Briana was seated in a chair brought to the center of the tent and was serenaded with a traditional Delta Zeta Sorority song.

The newly-wedded couple departed through a shower of bubbles for a honeymoon in Las Vegas. The bride is a graduate of Brownsboro High School and a December 2006 graduate of Stephen F. Austin State University. The groom is a graduate of Livingston High School and a December 2004 graduate of Stephen F. Austin University. Paul is employed as a teacher and coach in the Brownsboro ISD. Briana is working as a longterm substitute teacher in the Brownsboro ISD and will pursue a full time teaching position in the fall. They are making their home in Chandler.

The rehearsal dinner at the Potpourri House in Tyler was hosted by the groom's parents on the eve of the wedding.

In the weeks prior to the wedding, the couple was feted with showers in Chandler, Livingston and Lindale.