Miss Emily Kate Conner and Abb Dan Johnson, III exchanged wedding vows at Beaver Creek Plantation in Twin City, on January 20, 2024, at 5 p.m. Uncle of the bride, Bucky Kennedy performed the double ring ceremony among the pines surrounded by family and friends.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Johnny Mac Conner of Midville. The groom’s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Dan Johnson of Twin City.
Mrs. Dot Trapnell of Midville, Mrs. Donna Conner of Vidalia and Mrs. Ann Farrar of Swainsboro were present for the celebration of love uniting their grandchildren.
The beautiful pines provided a serene backdrop for the ceremony. Guests were seated on vintage church pews with arrangements of magnolia leaves, white roses, and white pom poms flanking the isle. A collection of wood stumps, candles and greenbrier provided the altar for the couple's vows. An empty chair with a personalized watercolor painting of the bride, her mother and late brother, a gift from the bride to her mother, sat beside the bride's parents.
‘The Goodness of God’ and ‘Millionaire’ were played by Mrs. Janna Tucker as grandparents, parents and the bridal party entered. The gorgeous bride arrived in a beautiful horse-drawn carriage driven by the groom's cousin, LeRoy Lane. Escorted by her father, the bride entered to the traditional ‘Here Comes the Bride’.
Given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore a stunning ivory long sleeve Justin Alexander gown. The fit and flare wedding dress designed in a rich stretch Mikado featured a tasteful V-neckline on the front and back of the bodice. Floral sequined lace appliques adorned the bodice and delicately continued onto the illusion long sleeves, adding a subtle sparkle. Elevated seaming on the clean skirt offered a contoured fit that accentuated the bride's curves. The gown featured a cutout cathedral length train that made for a dramatic entrance. For the ceremony, the bride wore an Essence of Australia silk overlay skirt with a twelve-foot regal veil.
She chose rhinestone earrings and cream Lucchese cowboy boots to complete her attire. She carried a bouquet of white roses and magnolia leaves bound with purple cloth from a shirt belonging to her late brother. A photo charm and memorial heart completed her bouquet.
Hattie Bush, cousin of the bride, served as maid of honor. Sisters of the groom, Amber Marsh and Ansley Smith, were chosen as matrons of honor. Bridesmaids were Riley Hutcheson, Alyssa Truxel, Josie Johnson, Cassie Williamson, Catherine Thigpen, Addison Hayes, Brianna Johnson and Regan Graham. They wore pale champagne dresses complemented with white fur wraps and carried bouquets of white roses and magnolia leaves. Their rhinestone earrings and wraps were a gift from the bride.
Emrie Carson Smith, niece of the groom, and cousins of the bride, Kennedy and Perry Parker were flower girls. They wore tea length dresses of white tulle with large satin bows accenting the back. They carried baskets of white rose petals.
The groom chose his father, Dan, as his best man. Groomsmen were Joseph Conner, cousin of the bride, groom’s cousins Jake Atkinson and Kenton Scott, Rhett Gay, Peyton Mercer, Swayde Oglesby, David Ellington, Britt Todd, Tyler Lane, David Ellison, Payton Riner, Cole Hunt and nephew of the groom, Asher Marsh. They wore classic black slim fit tuxedos with white rose boutonnieres.
Nephew of the groom, Greyson Smith escorted their Springer Spaniel pup, “Natty” and Ames Marsh carried the rings. They wore matching black tuxedos with rose boutonnieres.
During the ceremony, the couple chose their parents to join hands in prayer as Judy Carney and Belinda Lewis beautifully sang “The Blessing” by Kari Jobe. The couple happily exited the ceremony to “Signed, Sealed, Delivered” followed by the wedding party.
After the ceremony guests were invited to enjoy dinner and dancing. Beautiful wreaths of magnolia leaves with white bows made by the groom’s aunts, Jency Bishop and Joanna Atkinson, adorned the entrance doors at Beaver Creek Lodge. The guest book was situated at the entrance to the lodge with a large ceramic cowboy boot filled with white roses, snapdragon, bells of Ireland, white larkspur, eucalyptus and curly willow. The rear entrance featured a large mirrored welcome sign painted by Ashley Lampp with the couple’s name and wedding date, along with a large floral arrangement.
Food tables were elegantly decorated with various taxidermy and the bride’s Woodlands Spode China accented with arrangements of magnolia leaves and fresh pine needles. The delicious meal was prepared and served by Lazar Brown Oglesby and Kenny Bynes from McKinney’s Pond.
The bride's cake was baked and decorated by the groom’s aunts, Glenda Riner, Joann Lane and Betty Jean Andrews. The beautiful four-tiered cake coated in divinity icing featured a satin bow with streamers flowing down the layers along the front. White pearls were delicately placed around each layer of the sour cream vanilla creation. White roses and greenery covered the pedestal base.
The groom chose an assortment of Honey’s Cheesecakes for his dessert. The wooden farmhouse table was decorated with various taxidermy, magnolia leaves and greenbriar vines.
The couple chose ‘Heaven’ by Jason Aldean as their first dance. The bride and her father danced to Chris Stapleton’s “I Hope You Dance.” The groom chose “Mama” by Jason Aldean for this special moment. Everyone enjoyed dancing to Flashback, The Party Band from Charlotte, North Carolina.
For party attire, the bride was stunning in a white Lauren Ashley sequined jumpsuit accented with feathers along the shoulders. The groom was attractive in his white tuxedo coat.
After the bouquet and garter toss, guests were invited to join the newlyweds on the bridge as they exited under an arbor of sparklers. Everyone enjoyed a magnificent fireworks show presented by Craig Butler of Southern Star Pyrotechnics of Thomson. After a honeymoon in Mexico, the couple will reside on the groom’s family farm near Twin City.
REHEARSAL DINNER
Mr. and Mrs. Dan Johnson honored their son, his fiance’, the wedding party, along with friends and family members for a rehearsal dinner at The Copper Barn near Portal.
As guests entered the picturesque barn a large floral arrangement along with a picture of the couple was situated at the front door. Tables were covered with white tablecloths and floral arrangements of white roses, snapdragons, bells of Ireland and white larkspur with gold fluted chargers. Light blue napkins were bound with ribbon and name cards. The prayer and blessing were given by the groom’s father, Dan Johnson.
After guests were served dinner, they enjoyed a slideshow of the couple and music by friend, Will Moseley.
