Allison Claire Blaine and Joshua Nelson Bennett of Meridian were united in marriage on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014, at five o’clock in the afternoon at First Christian Church in Meridian with the Reverend Lea McCracken officiating.

    Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Billy Ray Blaine and Mr. and Mrs. Leonard “Buddy” Bennett of Meridian.

    Grandparents of the bride are Mr. Marvin Gibson and the late Mrs. Barbara McLemore Gibson, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Heyward A. Dillard, all of Meridian.

    Grandparents of the groom are Mr. and Mrs. Leonard E. Bennett and the late Mr. and Mrs. Joe Odom of Meridian.

    Music for the ceremony was provided by Sidney Covington, pianist; Greer Goldman, organist; and Baleigh Barham Davis, vocalist.

    Scripture readers during the ceremony were Catherine Gray Alexander of Nashville, Tenn.; William Christopher Malone of Meridian, and Kelly Elizabeth Sterling of Southaven.

    Chiming of the hour announced the arrival of the bride who was escorted by her father. She wore an Allure design of ivory lace over light gold satin. The fit and flare gown featured a lace bodice with a sweetheart neckline accented with Swarovski crystals. Covered buttons cascaded down the back. Lace appliqués were covering the dress which ended in a semi-cathedral train. Her single tier veil of ivory illusion was edged with crystals. She carried a bouquet of white hydrangeas and ivory English garden roses. It was accented with fragrant white Freesia and green Hypericum berries. The stems were wrapped in ivory satin ribbon with both late grandmothers of the bride’s wedding bands tied to the bouquet as well as a bracelet given to her by her mother-in-law with the grooms initials engraved.

    Maids of honor were her sisters, Anna Kathryn Blaine and Alexandra Taylor Blaine. Bridesmaids were Jessica Blaine Elwell of Brandon, Kelsi Knight Harmon of Starkville, and Anna Grace Ward of Meridian. Serving as proxy bride was Madelyn Semmes Covert. The flower girl was Mary Catherine Elliott of Meridian.

    The bridegroom’s father, Buddy Bennett, served as best man. Groomsmen were Joseph Daniel Bennett of Baton Rouge, La., Caleb Odom Bennett and David Marshall Gilmore Jr. of Meridian and Andrew Dillard Blaine of Hattiesburg. The ring bearer was William Greyson Gilmore of Meridian.

    After a honeymoon in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the couple resides in Meridian.