Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Ryan Stephens Megan Cecile Rodrigues of Watkinsville and Matthew Ryan Stephens of Bogart exchanged wedding vows in an impressive double-ring candlelight ceremony Saturday, December 17, at six o’clock in the evening in Briarwood Baptist Church in Watkinsville. Rev. Michael Ricks of Watkinsville officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Rodrigues of Watkinsville.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Denny Stephens of Bogart.

Large garlands of Christmas greenery, magnolia and lemon leaves, juniper and cedar branches adorned with large ivory roses and tied with gold and ivory ribbon hung beneath a large ivory candle grouping and formed the background for the wedding party. Other decorations for the season included lighted Christmas trees, wreaths with gold bows, poinsettias and candles in hurricane globes surrounded by greenery in each windowsill. Christmas greenery tied with large ivory satin bows decorated the family pews.

A program of wedding music was presented by Mrs. Buddy Bufford, pianist, and Mrs. Danny Rogers, flutist, both of Watkinsville. The prelude included traditional hymns mixed with Christmas carols. The grandmothers and mothers were seated to “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”. After a special presentation by the musicians of “How Beautiful” the wedding party processed to “Canon in D”. The bride entered to “Trumpet Voluntaire”. Music for the lighting of the unity candle was “Into My Heart” and the ceremony concluded with the “Wedding March” as the recessional.

Chase Stephens and Nick Stephens of Bogart, brothers of the bridegroom, served as best men. Groomsmen were Sam Barth of Augusta, Josh Griffin, Jason Varela, Reid Waller and Blake Williams of Watkinsville and Zach Shellnut of Savannah.

Lauren Rodrigues and Kirstin Rodrigues of Watkinsville, served as their sister’s maids of honor. Their two-piece champagne matte satin ensembles by Bill Levkoff featured strapless fitted bodices and trumpet-style skirts each with a train accented with large covered buttons. They wore ivory faux stoles made by the bride’s grandmother, Mrs. James S. Denard of Washington, and carried lighted candles in pedestal hurricane candleholders decorated with red rosebuds and ribbons.

Bridesmaids were Mrs. Jeremy Brown of Tacoma, Wash., Mrs. Jordan Downs of Watkinsville, Corie Peck and Candace Smith of Athens, Mrs. Zach Shellnut of Savannah and Catherine Woodall of Alpharetta. Their gowns and flowers were identical to those of the honor attendants.

Flower girl, Macie Edwards of Columbus, cousin of the bridegroom, wore a champagne satin floor-length cape with an ivory faux fur hood designed by the bride’s sister, Lauren, and made by the bridegroom’s grandmother, Mrs. Jerry Edwards of Bogart. Macie carried a wreath of Christmas greenery adorned with ivory roses and silver Christmas balls.

Ty Edwards of Columbus, cousin of the bridegroom, served as ringbearer and carried a pillow made by the bride’s sister from material from the bride’s mother’s wedding veil.

Given in marriage by the bride’s father, the bride was radiant in a candlelight satin gown by Casablanca. The strapless bodice was embellished with embroidered hand beadwork of clear crystals, sequins and silver threading. The dropped fitted waistline was edged in a silver threaded design and matching beading. The full A-line skirt was highlighted with feminine box pleating and embroidered matching crystals, sequins and beadwork around the hemline and custom cathedral-length train.

Her fingertip veil, made by her mother, was edged in delicate crystal bugle beads and fell from a jeweled back comb.

She carried Virginia roses surrounded by Christmas greenery and a handkerchief created from a bonnet given to the bridegroom by his aunt, Mrs. Ken Edwards of Watkinsville, when he was born.

For her daughter’s wedding, Mrs. Rodrigues wore a red matte satin two-piece floor-length Alfred Angelo suit accented by delicate rhinestone buttons, lapel collar, three-quarter cuffed sleeves and a back bodice tied at the waist.

Mrs. Stephens, the bridegroom’s mother, chose a silver two-piece floor-length gown with silver and crystal beading and doublebreasted shawl collar with threequarter length sleeves.

They carried tussie mussies with deep red rosebuds.

Also seated with the couple’s parents were grandparents of the bride, Mr. and Mrs. James S. Denard of Washington and Mr. and Mrs. George Rodrigues of Satellite Beach, Fla.; grandparents of the bridegroom, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Edwards of Bogart and Mrs. Jenny Stephens-Thaxton of Watkinsville; and his great-grandmother, Mrs. Louise Phelps of Bogart.

Reception

Following the ceremony the bride’s parents entertained at a reception at the Oconee County Civic Center.

The center was beautifully decorated with more than 20 twinkling Christmas trees scattered around the room.

Ivory linens covered the buffet, guest tables and bride’s table. A large silver candelabrum holding Black Magic and Virginia roses, white tulips, calla lilies, larkspur and Christmas greenery accented with red and gold Christmas ornament balls centered the buffet.

Each guest table was centered with one of three different designs. Some held smaller versions of the buffet centerpiece; others featured large hurricane lamps surrounded by Black Magic and Virginia Roses, white lilies, Christmas greenery and red and gold Christmas ornament balls; still others held floating candles and clear Christmas ball ornaments.

The bride’s table held the ivory three-tiered cake separated by columns and decorated with red roses, white hydrangeas and clear and ivory Christmas ornament balls. Mrs. Mary Stephens of Watkinsville, the bridegroom’s aunt, baked the cake.

The bridegroom’s table was covered in a red and black plaid tablecloth and decorated with a Georgia bulldog to celebrate his graduation earlier that day. The table featured brownies, chocolate chips cookies, cheesecakes and assorted other Christmas goodies.

Seated beneath columns decorated with lighted garlands and red and silver bows was the Classic City String Quartet who provided music for the evening.

After a wedding trip to Swept Away Couples Resort in Negril, Jamaica, Mr. and Mrs. Stephens are residing in Watkinsville where she is a kindergarten teacher at Bethlehem Elementary School and he is employed by Eastville Stephens.

Rehearsal Party

The bridegroom’s parents were hosts for a rehearsal dinner at Jennings Mill Country Club on Friday evening, December 16.

The bride-elect wore a threepiece ivory pants outfit.

Seasonal Christmas candlelight decorations were used.

Guests enjoyed a steak and seafood buffet followed by a video presentation of the couple who presented gifts to their parents and the wedding party during the evening.

Bridesmaids Brunch

Jennings Mill Country Club was the scene of the bridemaids brunch given by the bride’s aunt the morning of the Rodrigues-Stephens wedding.

Guests included the bridal party, mothers, grandmothers, aunts and cousins of the prospective couple.