COURTLAND—The marriage ceremony of Whitney Louise Vick and Edward Vincent Lankford IV took place March 29 at Courtland United Methodist Church.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Calvin Vick Jr. of Newsoms. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Vincent Lankford III of Emporia.

The Rev. Charlene Ruth Beethoven of Mechanicsville performed the ceremony and was the soloist. Wedding music was performed by Carolyn Johnson Beale.

The bride was escorted by her father with both sets of parents blessing the marriage.

Carrie Gail Drake of Newsoms served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids included Jennifer Courtney Leigh of Raleigh,

N.C., Kelly Marie Blaze of Jefferson Hills, Pa. and Sarah Katelyn Long of Littleton, N.C., cousin of the bride.

Brooke Saunders Whitley of Courtland served as junior bridesmaid. Parker Ann Williams of Emporia, goddaughter of the groom, served as flower girl.

Edward Vincent Lankford III served as his son’s best man. Groomsmen included Robert

Todd Lankford of Emporia, brother of the groom, John Beach Little of Fairfax, cousin of the groom, Brandon Wayne Clements of Valentines, and Owen Warren Tomlinson of Glen Allen.

Ushers were William Kenneth Daniels Jr., David Wyche Phillips, John Anthony Watson and Clayton Chadwick Wrenn, all of Emporia. Blake Cobb Whitley of Courtland served as ring bearer.

Courtney Lankford Whitley served as mistress of ceremonies. The guest registry was attended by Alison Kaye Taylor. Programs were distributed by Wallace Bryant Long and Warren Carter Long, cousins of the bride.

A reception followed the ceremony at Cypress Cove Country Club. Music was provided by Coast 2 Coast Entertainment. Reception greeters were Mr. and Mrs. Mark Hannon Hodges III and Mr. and Mrs. Billy Ralph Latham.

After a honeymoon to Antigua, the couple will reside in Emporia.

Parties

On Dec. 22, a Christmas cocktail party was hosted by Dr. and Mrs. Hall Squire, Dr. and Mrs. Peter Squire, Mr. and Mrs. Nick Belmonte, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Latham and Nan Futrelle at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Hall Squire in Henrico, N.C.

A Longaberger shower honoring the bride was given by Lee Anne Long and Ellen Barrett on Jan. 5 at Newsoms United Methodist Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Ellis and Mr. and Mrs. Linwood Taylor entertained the bride and groom and their parents with a dinner at Riverside Restaurant on Feb. 15.

A stock the bar party was hosted by David Phillips and Alison Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Billy Daniels, Chad Wrenn and Mr. and Mrs. John Watson on Feb. 16 at the Emporia Fire Department.

On March 1, a wine and cheese party was given for the couple by Mr. and Mrs. Benny Vincent, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Saunders, and the Hon. and Mrs. Carson Saunders Jr. at the home of the Hon. and Mrs. Saunders in Emporia.

A miscellaneous shower and dessert buffet was hosted by Gail and Carrie Drake on March 5 at Pam’s Tea Room.

On March 28, Courtney and Brooke Whitley hosted a bridal luncheon at The Pace House Inn for the bride and her attendants.

The bride chose this time to present her attendants with gifts.

After the rehearsal, the groom’s parents entertained the wedding party with a dinner at Cypress Cove Country Club.