Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Graham, Mahaffey Enjoy Valentine Wedding

Saint Mark United Methodist Church in Camden was the setting for the February 14 wedding of Laura Lindsey Graham and John Drew Mahaffey. Rev. Jerry Westmoreland of Prescott, cousin of the bride, officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Larry and Susan 'Sallie' Purifoy Graham of Camden, and the granddaughter of the late Robert C. and Mildred Purifoy of Rosston, the late James C. 'Bud' Graham Jr of Reader and Big Lake, Texas, and the late Oleta C. Graham of Camden.

The groom's parents are David and Hazel Mahaffey of Camden. He is the grandson of Mrs. Ruth Coffer and Mr. and Mrs. Porter Tuberville of Camden.

The sanctuary of the church was decorated with an arrangement of Texas bluebonnets, yellow roses, and ivy, centered with black and white miniature cowboy hats, and flanked by two, five branch Mexican candelabras entwined with ivy.

Acolytes were Stephanie Zachry and Blake Mahaffey, nephew of the groom.

Music was provided by pianist Janette Patterson and vocalist Jonathan Wolfe, who sang 'I Cross My Heart' and 'More than Everything.'

Ushers were Chad Pate and Jeb Graham, brother of the bride.

Stephanie Betts, cousin of the bride, and Jennifer Zachry attended the bride's book.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a western style gown of ivory raw silk, designed and made by her mother. The gown featured a sweetheart neckline, long fitted sleeves, princess lines and a scoop back accented by a large bow with hem length streamers. Pearl- enhanced antique lace, made by the bride's paternal great grandmother, encircled the empire waist and sleeves. Her single tiered veil was attached to an ivory satin band covered in matching lace. She carried a bouquet of Texas bluebonnets, roses, daises and baby's breath. The bride's only jewelry was silver and gold western stirrup earrings, a gift from the groom, and a cowboy guardian angel pendant, a gift from her parents.

Jennifer Cassell of Camden was maid of honor. She wore a tea length, off-the-shoulder prairie dress of midnight blue and carried a single, long stemmed yellow rose tied with midnight blue ribbon.

Bridesmaids were Brandi Graham, sister of the bride and Cindy Green. Their dresses were identical to the maid of honor. Junior bridesmaid Jordan Mahaffey, daughter of the groom, wore a similar dress of midnight blue, which featured a keyhole back accented with a bow.

Flower girls were Alyssa Zachry and Kaitlyn Mahaffey, niece of the groom, who were dressed in yellow twinkle organdy with matching bows.

Brent Mahaffey of Nashville served his brother as best man.

Groomsmen were Bo Woody and Cory Sanders. They were dressed like the groom, in black western tux jackets, black jeans and midnight blue vests.

The groom wore a Cheyenne Frontier Days Centennial Collect-or's belt buckle that had been given to the bride.

Ring bearer Dalton Smith was dressed in black jeans and a midnight blue vest with button replicas of the badge of the Texas Rangers.

A reception followed the ceremony in the Arkansas National Guard Armory.

The bride's table was decorated with hurricane lamps and cow bells. The three-tiered cake was decorated with blue and yellow roses and topped with a cowboy bride and groom.

The groom's table featured a copper train and brass railroad lanterns and a chocolate cake decorated with a badge of the Ouachita County Sheriff's office and the groom's initials.

Servers were Kaye Woody, Jennifer Zachry and Stephanie Betts.

Bird seed bags were distributed by Elizabeth Carlton of Rosston, cousin of the bride.

After a wedding trip to Texas, the couple is at home in Camden.

The bride is employed with Prescolite Moldcast in El Dorado.

The groom is employed with International Paper Company in Camden and is a deputy with the Patrol Division of the Ouachita County Sheriff's office.

Parties and Showers

A miscellaneous shower was held at Immanuel Baptist Church in Camden. Hostesses were Karron Miller, Ashley Miller, Brandi Graham, Jennifer Cassell and Cindy Green.

A lingere shower was held at Tiger Harry's Restaurant by the bride's classmates Erin Coston, Erin Braden, Cindy Green and Melissa Stone, along with the bride's sister, Brandi Graham.

A bird seed bag party was held at the bride's home. It was hosted by Cindy Green and Brandi Graham.

Co-workers at Prescolite Mold-cast in El Dorado held a miscellan-eous shower for the couple on February 12.

A rehearsal dinner was held February 13 in the fellowship hall of St. Mark United Methodist Church, hosted by the groom's parents. The event was attended by members of the bridal party and their families.