1st Lt. And Mrs. Craig Hopkins McClure Alexandra (Ally) Frances Marazita and 1st Lt. Craig Hopkins McClure, U.S. Marine Corps, were married on September 19, 2009, in the graceful "Old Florida" setting of Goodwood Plantation.

Under the blue sky and sun-dappled canopy of magnificent ancient oaks heavily draped in Spanish moss and centuries-old magnolias amid stately palms, the Reverend Bill Williams officiated at the lovely double-ring ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Dominic and Carmela Marazita of Sarasota, Fla., and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albino Bria of Stamford Conn., and Mr. and Mrs. Phillip Marazita of Lansing, Mich.

The bridegroom is the son of Rick and Nancy Hopkins McClure of Tallahassee, Fla., and the grandson of Mrs. Iris Hopkins Dyson and the late Truman Hopkins of Washington and the late Dr. and Mrs. Harold McClure of Chickasha, Okla.

Presented in marriage by her father, the bride was attended by her sister, Amy Marazita, as maid of honor and bridesmaid, Cortney Kelly of Tallahassee. The bridal attendants wore sleeveless taffeta tea-length dresses of lustrous sky blue. Their hand-tied bouquets featured sunflowers and blue hydrangeas tied in blue satin ribbon.

Celebrated guitarist, Andrew Stroud, provided the music.

The bridegroom wore the Marine Corps officer's dress whites uniform. The best man and groomsmen wore black one-button tuxedoes with sky blue vests. The best man was the bridegroom's brother, Ryan McClure of Tallahassee. The groomsmen were Eric Neal of Gainesville, Fla., Nathan McIllvaine of Tallahassee and Zachary Marazita of Sarasota.

The bride's mother wore a tealength tiered luminous champagne taffeta dress with capped sleeves.

The bridegroom's mother was framed in a tea-length two-piece navy satin ensemble accented with jeweled beading at the neckline.

The bride was beautiful in an elegant candlelight taffeta floor-length strapless gown. Delicate pearl beading of petals and leaves shimmered on the bodice and cascaded to the low back of the satin-laced corset to meet the sweeping train.

The bride carried a European-style hand-tied bouquet of sunflowers, hydrangeas, stock, lilies, statice, veronica, seeded eucalyptus, hypericum berries and lily grass.

The "Arch of Sabers" ceremony was performed by 1st Lt. Eric Moos and 1st Lt. Robert Latta, U.S. Marine Corps, of Meridian, Miss.

Reception

The gala reception was held at the Goodwood Carriage House with dinner and dancing. Music was performed by the popular ""Doctor, Doctor!" band. The bridegroom's saber was used to cut the impressive multitiered satin blue wedding cake. The cake was decorated with a flourished "M" and crowned with a bouquet of exquisite "white china" iced roses and peace lilies.

The couple is living in Meridian, Miss.

Ally graduated from Florida State University with bachelor's degrees in social science and geography. Craig graduated from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University with a bachelor's degree in professional aeronautics.

At present Craig is in jet pilot training at the Naval Air Station and Ally is employed at a law firm in Meridian.

Rehearsal Dinner

The rehearsal dinner was festive with live music at the Florida State University Center Club. Floral arrangements featuring the bride's favorite flower, the sunflower, were prominent in the reception hall as well as in the Futch Ballroom where dinner was served to the wedding party and out-of-town guests.

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