Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Rhoads, Hastings Wed June 10

Samantha Allen Rhoads and James Cody Hastings were united in marriage June 10 at Hope Church of Christ in Hope.

Samantha is the daughter of Herbert and Betty Rhoads of Kensett and the granddaughter of the late Joe and Betty Deal of Oswego, Ill., and Herbert and June Rhoads of Youngtown, Ariz.

Cody is the son of James and Jan Hastings of Bodcaw and the grandson of Mrs. Ysleta Gatlin and the J.R. Gatlin of Powderly, Texas, and Mrs. Juanita Hastings and the late Coye Hastings of Bagwell, Texas.

The bride was escorted to the altar by her father. They walked to the song Butterfly Kisses, sung by Richard Allen of Hope.

The bride wore a formal wedding gown fashioned of white Peau satin and Venice lace. The fitted bodice featured a scoop neckline, off the shoulder, beautifully banded with Venice lace and pearls. The dropped Basque waist was also trimmed with Venice lace and pearls. The bouffant skirt flowed into a semi-cathedral train with a Venice lace and pearl band on the entire hem. The silk illusion fingertip veil was edged in white satin and crowned with satin roses and pearl accents. The bride wore a pearl necklace and earrings that had belonged to her grandmother. Her nosegay bouquet was yellow and white roses and baby's breath wrapped in white satin.

Stacie Brown of Beebe served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Amy Cox of Conway and Nikki Brown of Floyd. They wore identical floor length golden French satin gowns with scoop necklines, small cap sleeves, empire waists accented with a small ribbon and three tiny flowers in front and A-lined skirts. They wore pearl earrings given by the bride and carried long-stemmed yellow roses tied with white satin and gold bows.

The mother of the bride wore a floor-length gown of periwinkle blue with satin and bead trim.

The groom's mother chose a floor length ivory gown.

Taylor Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Don E. Smith Jr. of Ozark, Ala., and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Swint, was the flower girl. Taylor wore a white Peau satin floor-length gown with a jewel neckline and gathered skirt that was banded with a sash that tied into a long bow in the back. Taylor carried a white woven basket adorned with yellow roses, greenery, white tulle and pearl accents. Taylor's gold and pearl necklace was gift from the bride.

Dizzy Dean of Springfield, Miss., served as the best man. Groomsmen were Josh Kemp of Cabot and David Lively of Hope. Kenneth Rhoads, brother of the bride, from McAllen, Texas, and Keith Fricks, brother-in-law of the groom, from Saratoga, were the ushers. Trenton Fricks, son of Keith and Sharla Fricks, and nephew of the groom, was the ring bearer. The men wore matching black tuxedos with black cummerbunds and bow ties. The pleated shirts were accented with pearl buttons. The fathers selected styled tuxedos. The boutonnieres were yellow roses trimmed with baby's breath.

Steve Norris of Batesville performed the wedding ceremony. The acappella music was sung by Donna Jo Garrison, Steve May and JoElla May.

Janine Allen of Hope directed the wedding.

Servers included Brittany Jefferson of Searcy, Sharla Fricks of Saratoga, Tanya Kemp of Cabot and Heather Dean of Springfield, Mo. Members of the church family assisted with the wedding and reception. George Dillin was the photographer.

The altar was banked with large yellow and white arrangements in ancient urns and greenery resting on white pedestals. The entrance to the church and the bride's aisle were corded in white tulle with pearl accents. Ficus trees wrapped in white fabrics were used to decorate the church and fellowship hall.

The three-tiered cake was topped with a Kim Anderson music box and decorated with pink and yellow roses. The groom's cake was an autographed baseball. The children were seated at a special table with favors and treats.

The bride is a junior accounting major at Harding University. She holds an associate of arts degree from Arkansas State University at Beebe.

The groom is a senior marketing and finance major at Harding University. He graduated from Nevada High School in 1996. He is employed at Card and Comic World in Searcy.

The couple will reside in Searcy after a wedding trip to Hawaii.