The marriage of Kelsey Beth Johnson and Matthew Rollison Lowe took place at 5 p.m. July 7, 2012, at the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront.

The Rev. Darwin Edwards of Newsoms officiated the double-ring ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Joey and Gwen Johnson of Boykins. She is the granddaughter of Nancy Matthews of Newsoms and the late Carlton Gene Matthews Sr. and Mr. and Mrs. A. Earl Johnson of Boykins.

The groom is the son of John and Cindy Lowe of Ivor and Michael and Tammy Lowe of Franklin. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. W. Gilbert Branche of Franklin and Mr. and Mrs. John W. “Jack” Lowe Sr. of Ivor. He is the great-grandson of Margaret Felts of Ivor.

The bride was escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents. The traditional Hawaiian sand ceremony was performed with wedding music. Marindy Creef and Rusty Lowe, both of Ivor, performed a duet.

Ashley Fowler of Boykins served as her sister’s matron of honor.

Molly Marks of Franklin, lifelong friend of the bride, was maid of honor.

Bridesmaids were Laura Beth Price of Rose Hill, N.C., and Alex Kerin of Fuquay-Varina, N.C., both friends from Peace College; and Carla Matthews of Newsoms, cousin of the bride.

Lynlee Creef of Ivor, niece of the groom, was junior bridesmaid.

Winston Lowe of Ivor served as his brother’s best man.

Groomsmen were John Lowe, father of the groom, and Bryan Lowe, uncle of groom, both of Ivor; Sam Fox of Capron, cousin of groom; and Wesley Fowler of Boykins, brother-in-law of the bride.

Kaydence Lowe and Emerson Creef, both nieces of the groom from Ivor, were flower girls.

Carter Fowler of Boykins, nephew of the bride, was ring bearer.

Leigh Wallace Hines of Wilmington, N.C., Stephanie Whalen of Bedford, Sarah Nixon of Courtland and Victoria Drewry of Virginia Beach were honorary bridesmaids. All are special friends of the bride.

Becky Lowe and Robyn Hall, aunts of the groom from Ivor, served as mistresses of ceremonies.

Madeline Marks of Franklin, friend of the bride’s family, presided at the guest book. Eli Matthews of Newsoms and Jeffrey Johnson of Boykins, both cousins of the bride, were program attendants.

Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception in the ballroom of the Hilton Garden Inn Suffolk Riverfront. Toasts were given by the best man, matron of honor, maid of honor and father of the bride. All wished the newlyweds a lifetime of happiness together.

Music was provided by Don and Donna Rogers of Franklin for dancing.

Brianna Johnson of Boykins and Victoria Kelly of Mechanicsville, both cousins of the bride, served as favor and gift attendants.

The couple honeymooned in the Bahamas and lives in Ivor.

PARTIES

On Dec. 10, a Christmas shower was given by the bride’s great-aunt, Amelia Spivey, and cousin, Holly Inman, at the Spivey home on Dogwood Bend in Franklin. The bride received ornaments and Christmas decorations, and refreshments were served.

A bachelorette evening was held on April 27 at Peace College given by bridesmaids Leigh Wallace Hines, Laura Beth Price and Alex Kerin. The girls had a meal, cocktails, gifts and a night on the town in Raleigh, N.C.

On May 19, the ladies of Barnes United Methodist Church hosted a miscellaneous bridal shower. Gifts were presented and refreshments were served.

A lawn, garden and tool shower was given on May 26 by Wesley and Ashley Fowler at The Johnson Home in Boykins. Outdoor decorative and handy gifts were received.

On June 3, a bridal shower was given by Tammy Lowe and Mildred Branche at Sedley Baptist Church.

A Pampered Chef shower was given by Madeline and Molly Marks on June 9 at Simply Divine in Franklin. Elizabeth Bond Brinster, cousin of the bride, was the hostess and demonstrated her cooking skills with Pampered Chef items. The couple received kitchen gifts.

On June 30, Becky and Bryan Lowe and Robyn and Doug Hall entertained the couple with a “We’re Chillin and Grillin” cookout at the Hall home in Ivor. A meal of grilled chicken was served. Guest were entertained by music provided by Marindly Creef and Rusty Lowe. A birthday cake was presented to the groom for his birthday on July 4.

On July 5, a bachelor cookout was given by John, Bryan and Winston Lowe. Steaks were served, and the groom presented gifts to his wedding party.

A bridal luncheon for the bride and bridesmaids was given on July 6 at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront Suffolk by Becky Lowe and Robyn Hall. A lunch and a traditional charm cake were served. The bride presented gifts to her wedding party.

The groom’s parents held the rehearsal dinner at the Nansemond River Golf Club in Suffolk on July 6. A meal was served. A toast was given by the groom’s father wishing the happy couple a lifetime of happiness. A slideshow of the couple’s lives was presented by bridesmaid Alex Kerin.

Lunch was provided on the wedding day for the bride and her bridesmaids by the bride’s great-aunt, Marilyn Bertrand, of Richmond.