Walker, Stone Unite in Marriage Oct. 20
Candice Michelle Walker and Patrick Blake Stone were united in marriage at six o’clock in the evening on Saturday, October 20, 2007 at Sylva Rena Baptist Church in Water Valley. The bride is the daughter of Randy Walker of Water Valley and Sandy Walker of Grenada. She is the granddaughter of Bonnie Walker Dimock of Water Valley and the late Billy Walker, and Nell Mann of Scobey, MS and the late Virgil Mann. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Stone of Southaven, MS and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Winston Stone of Selma, Alabama., and the late Mae Selman and Dave Selman of Alabama.
The columns on the exterior of the church were decorated with bamboo leaves and entwined with lights just as the sun set for the evening. On each door hung specially made banners of black and white featuring the couples monogram. The bagpiper made for a grand welcome as he stood in his formal kilt playing Celtic hymns as guests entered the sanctuary.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an ivory silk taffeta gown with a fitted bodice accentuated with gathers and delicate beading. Satin covered buttons lined the back of the gown to the end of the chapel length train. Her cathedral length veil cascaded with jewels and hand embroidered stitching. She carried a bouquet of hand-tied white, green tipped roses, green hydrangeas, and green berries.
Attending the bride as maid of honor was Sandy Walker Terry, aunt of the bride, of Water Valley. Bridesmaids were KayLee Walker, sister of the bride, of Grenada, MS, Sheree Stone Moorman, sister of the groom, of Southaven, MS, Marie Blaylock Weeks of Carolton, MS, Kelley Pullen Hart of Water Valley, MS, and Kelley Ruth Jones of Southaven, MS. The attendants wore black tea length strapless dresses of organza and carried green tipped roses and hydrangeas matching the bride’s arrangement. Amy Baggett, Tara Jones, Haley Terry , Ashlee Langdon, and Danielle Williams all served as honorary attendants.
Roy Winston Stone served his son as best man. Groomsmen were Mitchell Alan Harville of Southaven, MS, Tommy Harbin Kerr of Grenada, MS, Thomas Joshua Pipkin of Batesville, MS, Philip Joseph Harville of Southaven, MS, and Jason Thomas Moorman of Southaven, MS.
The double ring ceremony was officiated by Bro. Calvin Miller, pastor of the church. Vows were exchanged under a beautifully crafted gazebo that was dimly lit and draped with ivory silk. Nuptial music was provided by Mrs. Gail Caldwell , organist, and Stephen Sanders, bagpiper, of Memphis, TN. He performed “Amazing Grace” in loving memory of the bride’s late grandfather, Virgil Mann. The bagpiper led the recessional for the newly married couple and the wedding party at the close of the ceremony.
Following the ceremony the bride and groom entertained with a reception underneath a large white cathedral tent at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Joe Walker. Their beautiful home served as a backdrop to the tent that had been specially placed in the front yard. As guests made their way up the long driveway, lights could be seen through the window walls of the tent from the three chandeliers inside. A valet service was provided so guests could easily make their way from the parking area to the front entrance of the tent that was lined with candelabras. Joe Fonte of Water Valley provided entertainment throughout the evening and created an inviting atmosphere as couples danced on the black and white tiled dance floor . An Elvis impersonator, Chip May, a friend of the family, made a surprise appearance to sing a memorable first dance and presented the bride with a specially made lei. Tricia Shankle, owner of Mississippi Cook’n, proficiently catered and staffed the reception. Guests were treated to a buffet that included a carving station, pasta bar, dessert bar, and a coffee bar properly named “Stonebucks.” Also, onsite was another tent for the restroom area complete with a wash station and a lit pathway from the main tent. At the end of the night, there was much excitement as the guests waved their sparklers to the happy couple. As a gift from the bride, guests enjoyed an unexpected fireworks display over the Walker’s new pond.
On the eve of the wedding, the couple was honored with a rehearsal dinner hosted by the groom’s parents at Audi’s Café in Grenada, MS. And on the Saturday before the wedding, a brunch was given in honor of the bride and her bridesmaids by Zandra Walker, Liz Reynolds, and Brenda Gulledge at the home of Mrs. Walker. After a honeymoon to Negril, Jamaica, the couple is at home in Grenada, MS.
