Newlyweds Tripp and Michelle Andrews Parker are presently enjoying their honeymoon and the sun and surf at the Sandals Beach Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, British West Indies, as memories of their fairy tale wedding of last Saturday still linger for them, their parents, Dr. Ben and Michelle Andrews, and Emory and Lindy Parker and many, many others.
Their wedding was like those you read about in fairytale books of yore that many little girls dream of having someday. It had all the right components to make it perfect from the moment the beautiful bride and handsome groom exchanged wedding vows at First United Methodist Church, then celebrated at a dinner dance surrounded by loving family and a coterie of friends from near and far at the Windsor Hotel that sparkled and shone like a diamond.
The magic began when Michelle walked down the church aisle on the arm of her father until the couple ducked out of the Windsor Hotel under an arch of sparklers. The attention paid during the pre-planning showed.
The buffet dinner catered by Leon Holloway and Cousins Catering served in Rosemary & Thyme dining room was delicious; the traditional bride’s cake was replaced by three-layered cakes: chocolate chip, red velvet, and strawberry baked by Piece of Cake of Atlanta that was heaven at first bite; the countless flower arrangements created by Gatewood Flowers spectacular, and the musical entertainment outstanding. The Bella Nova electric string duo Kristen Miller, violin, and Jean Anderson, cello, and their high energy was amazing. Deejay Brian Sires of Amp’D Entertainment of Atlanta played pieces that kept the dance floor packed with dancers, including Laura Cate Harris, 9, and her granddad Bill Harris Sr.
I enjoyed chatting with so many friends from near and far, prompting Rene Smith to smile and ask if I was compiling a list of names — no, too many. I did have a chance to chat with former residents Deanna Pope Ozio of Decatur, Meredith Myers and her husband Tyler Maizey of Atlanta, Ben Andrews III and his wife Casey, and Sara Cathryn Parker Coffey of Dublin.
And just like England’s Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markel when she married Prince Harry, Michelle changed into another chic ensemble for the reception, exchanging her lacy white wedding gown and cathedral-length tulle train for a formal white dress with bouffant tulle skirt tied in back by a massive bow that was more suitable for dancing. And Tripp exchanged his formal dress shoes for dance shoes: black and white spectators — just like the Great Gatsby.
By the way, when Ben gave his daughter in marriage he whispered a bit of fatherly advice in her ear. What did he say? “Tripp is marrying his Michelle but you’ll always be my Taylor.”
Elsewhere, Nancy Kaylor Miller celebrated her birthday at a party hosted by her daughters Kay Crawford of Destin, Julie Schroeder of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mandy Ennis of Livingston, Ala., and Lanie Crawford of Birmingham. A host of friends sang happy birthday to Nancy and enjoyed cake and punch. There were favors for everyone — miniature American flags — games and prizes. Among guests from out of town besides the hostesses was Betty Patterson of Richland.
Meanwhile, Dr. Schley and Karen Gatewood have returned from a skiing trip to Winter Park, Colorado, with their daughter and family, Anna and Mark Mendenhall of Charlotte, N.C., and sons, Parker, 17, Eric, 15, and Tye, 13. Karen says the trip was a sentimental journey that brought back happy memories of ski trips with their four children when they were growing up.
Carl and Judy Tott are becoming acclimated to 24-degree mornings at present after being south of the border twice in a month. They joined their son Glenn Tott and his wife Caroline Natus of Kansas City in Bogota, Colombia, where they visited with Caroline’s family and spent New Year’s catamaran sailing the Caribbean off the coast of Cartagena. They also visited with their granddaughter Isabell Tott, 11, a fifth-grader at the International School who they had not seen since last summer. Carl and Judy flew home for a week and then were off again for a 10-day Crown Princess cruise where ports of call were St. Thomas, Antiqua, Bridgetown, Barbados, St. Kitts, and St. Lucia. They snorkeled, drove through rain forests, and enjoyed shipboard entertainment and of course, the dining.

Leila Sisson Case lives in Americus.