Donald Richard Jackson and Kelly Leigh Ashley were married at 4 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Doyle Murphy of Vicksburg. The Rev. Joseph Brian Ivey officiated at the double-ring ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of John Larry and Joyce Henry Ashley of Vicksburg. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. John  Lavell Ashley of Edwards and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Thomas Henry of Vicksburg.

The groom is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Donald William Jackson of Vicksburg and Jancsi Artz Herlihy of Madison. He is the grandson of Joan Rebecca Artz and the late Dr. Waverly Conway Artz Sr. and Betty Torti Jackson and the late Ralph Donald Jackson, all of Vicksburg, and JoAnn Russell Haynes and the late Gill Joseph Haynes of Mendenhall.

The path to the altar area was lined with spice-colored bouquets and chocolate ribbon cascading from wrought-iron shepherd hooks. Vows were exchanged under a wooden, white gazebo, which was trimmed at the corners and columns with lilies, roses, snapdragons and hypericum berries. Pairs of oversized urns, each filled with deep-orange lilies and native grasses, flanked the lake-view setting.

Selections for the ceremony were provided by the String Music for Mississippi Weddings trio, featuring violinists Melissa Hause and Kate Morgan and cellist Bridgeet Olugbala. “The Wedding Song” was performed for the prelude. Mothers and grandmothers were seated to “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.” The wedding processional was “Canon in D,” followed by “Trumpet Voluntary” for the bride’s entrance. The recessional was “Wedding March.”

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a designer, original gown of ivory silk-taffeta featuring a strapless neckline and A-line skirt. The dropped, asymmetrical waistline was accented in elaborate, beaded embroidery and cascaded into a lace skirt with chapel-length train. Beaded buttons with loops completed the bodice.

Her fingertip-length, designer veil was trimmed with beading.

She carried a classical nosegay featuring white miniature calla lilies, peach-colored roses, hypericum berries and stephanotis blossoms centered with rhinestones. Wrapping the bouquet was a monogram-embroidered lace handkerchief, a gift from the bride’s sister. Wedding rings belonging to the bride’s grandmothers were tucked inside.

Matrons of honor were Shelly Ashley Palmertree, sister of the bride, of Vicksburg and Blair Purvis Hill of Southaven. Bridesmaids were Mary Hanah Hester and Haley Haynes Hester, sisters of the groom, Julie Holliday Carr and Brandi Marie Pritchett, all of Vicksburg; Ashley Elizabeth Christopher of Rolling Fork; and Sarah Katherine Garrick of Ridgeland. Junior bridesmaids were Meghan Ashley Palmertree and Mallory Joyce Palmertree, nieces of the bride, of Vicksburg.

The attendants wore floor-length, strapless gowns in an apricot color. The gowns featured folded taffeta on the bodice and a tie at the waist. They each carried garden-gathered bouquets of flame calla lilies, confetti roses, hypericum berries and hydrangeas caught at the stems with chocolate ribbons.

Flower girls were Shelby Avanell Ashley of Bolton, Lily Kate  Henry of Vicksburg, Carson Elaine Nail of Brandon, Claire Elizabeth Rains of Memphis, Alyssa Hope Shelton of Clinton and Jewell Aden Vandevere of Yazoo City, all cousins of the bride.

The flower girls wore tea-length dresses created with spaghetti straps and a tie and folded taffeta at the waist. Some tossed loose petals from baskets; others distributed single flowers to seated guests.

The groom’s father served as best man. Groomsmen were William Joseph Jackson, James Randolph Miller and Richard Glenn Rhett Jr., all of Vicksburg; Rhett David Graves and Michael Oneal Melcher, both of Starkville; Christopher Edward Bass of Las Vegas; and John David Ferguson of Huntsville, Ala.

Ushers were John Andrew Herlihy and Michael Patrick Herlihy, both of Jackson, and Bradley Troy Noble of Vicksburg.

Kylee Joann Burke and Cameron Morgan Curtis served as program attendants. Special wedding assistant was Donna Markle.

The bride’s mother wore a two-piece, full-length gown of mocha-colored charmeuse featuring a pleated-knit, tank-style bodice and jeweled-neck jacket.

The groom’s mother wore a two-piece, silk-dupioni ensemble in a rouge color. The strapless sheath was topped with a matching bolero jacket trimmed at the cuffs with crystal buttons.

The groom’s stepmother wore a V-neck, designer gown of chocolate chiffon with tiered, asymmetrical shutter pleats and a rhinestone cluster at the waist.

All mothers carried petite clusters of roses, berries and mini callas.

A reception followed at the home. Floral designs were placed throughout the area.

Guest tables near the pool held arrangements in the bride’s chosen colors. A floral sculpture of the bridal couple’s monogram floated in the pool.

The bride’s four-tiered, square white cake, presented on a silver, square plateau, was iced in shades of cream and ivory buttercream. Each tier featured a different design of Cornelli lace, scrolls, round discs and stripes. Topping the confection was a nosegay of flowers in the bride’s chosen colors.

The groom’s two-tiered, chocolate-fudge cake featured a stripe-and-dot design in light and dark shades of chocolate buttercream. Chocolate-dipped and tuxedo strawberries adorned the confection, which was topped with the bridal couple’s initial in chocolate.

Guests were entertained with music by the Ben Shaw Band of Vicksburg.

The couple departed the reception in a shower of streamers.

For a wedding trip, they traveled to Gatlinburg, Tenn. They will make their home in Starkville. The bride is attending court-reporting school, and the groom is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and is employed with Mississippi State University.

Brunch

The bridal couple and members of the wedding party were honored with a wedding-day brunch at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Brad Warnock. Assisting in hosting were Mr. and Mrs. Joe Bonelli, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Curtis, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Hudspeth, Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Markle, Mr. and Mrs. Rickey Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. John Newton, Mopsey Thorne, Mr. and Mrs. Dean Andrews, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Buchwald, Mr. and Mrs. Bro Franco, Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Mims, Mr. and Mrs. George Nasif, Cheryl Israel, Mr. and Mrs. Buck Penley and Mr. and Mrs. Dale Yates.

Rehearsal dinner

The groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at Toney’s Restaurant. The bride and groom chose this time to present gifts to their attendants and parents.

Luncheon

Joyce Ashley and Betty Palmertree hosted a bridesmaids’ luncheon at the home of Shelly Palmertree.

Pamper party

A pamper party for the bride, mothers and matrons of honor was hosted by Penny Frith, Jessica Frith and Shirley Adcock at Penny’s Place.

Tea

Jenna Artz, Maryann Artz, Amy Beasley, Meg Courtney and Becky McCaskill hosted a bridal tea at the Courtney home in Clinton.

Wine and cheese

The bridal couple was honored with a wine and cheese at the B’nai B’rith Literary Club. Hosts were Steve and Donna Purvis, Justin and Blair Hill, David and Christi Pritchett, Andrew Simmons, Brandi Pritchett, Darrell and Robin Purvis, Wesley Purvis, Johnny Purvis and Shannon Parker.

Showers

A kitchen and grill shower was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Terry Jackson in Madison. Assisting in hosting were David Jackson and Angie Jackson.

Julie Carr, Ashley Christopher, Sarah Garrick, Chastity Lee, Brady Morgan, Brittany Willis and K.K. Willis hosted a miscellaneous shower at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gilliland.

Amy Brown and Hollie Cook hosted a bed, bath and kitchen shower at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ronnie Brown.

The bride was honored with a miscellaneous shower at Borrello’s Restaurant. Hostesses were Charlotte Henry, Patty Henry, Janice Nail, Melissa Rains and Jana Vandevere.

Employees of the Circuit Clerk’s office honored the bride with a shower.

Shelly Palmertree and Marion Murphy hosted a lingerie shower and bachelorette weekend in Destin, Fla.