JARRATT—Kelly Lynn Vargo and Gregory Adam Byers were united in marriage on Saturday, Sept. 7, 2013, at 5 o’clock. The double-ring ceremony was held at The Short Farm, owned by Richard and Betsy Short of Emporia, aunt of the groom. Guests were seated on hay bales overlooking the pond. The grounds were decorated with shepherd’s hooks holding burlap bows and mason jars filled with wildflowers. Retired Judge Robert O’Hara of Emporia officiated. Wedding music was provided by guitarist Michael Lee Grizzard of Jarratt. The reading of a poem by ee cummings was given by Katie Brown of Franklin.

The bride is the daughter of James and Kay Vargo of Boykins. She is the granddaughter of Lona Edwards of Franklin, and the late Norman Edwards, and the late John and Josephine Vargo, who lived in Courtland.

The groom is the son of Gregory and Pam Byers and Roy and Connie Moss, all of Emporia. He is the grandson of Nina Armstrong and Billy Griffith of Littleton, N.C., and Ronald Stewart and Peggy Byers of Emporia, and the late Gene Byers.

The bride was escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents. She wore a strapless ivory satin gown by Maggie Sottero with a sweep train. She wore a pearl necklace and matching earrings, a gift from the bride’s mother.

She carried a hand-tied bouquet of sunflowers, white lilies, white roses, daisies and star of Bethlehem, accented with acuba leaves wrapped in burlap and ivory ribbon.

Jessica Haselman of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., served as the bride’s matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Katie Brown of Franklin and Lauren Hennessey of Emporia. They wore navy blue cotton cocktail-length dresses, and carried hand-tied bouquets of sunflowers, yellow lilies, white roses, daisies and star of Bethlehem, accented with acuba leaves wrapped in burlap and navy ribbon. They all wore necklaces and matching earrings, a gift from the bride. The bride and her attendants all wore shoes by TOMS.

Gregory Byers served as his son’s best man. Groomsmen were Steven Gilliam and Jonathan Lynch, both of Jarratt, and Jade Daniels of Emporia. Ringbearer was Jackson Haselman of Roanoke Rapids, son of the matron of honor.

The groom wore a khaki tuxedo with an ivory vest. The father of the bride, best man and groomsmen all wore white long-sleeved shirts, khaki pants and navy striped ties. All the gentlemen wore cowboy boots.

Mistress of ceremonies was Julie Whittington of Ashland. Fan wedding programs were handed out by Emily Byers of Emporia, sister of the groom, and Allison Short of Emporia, cousin of the groom. Photography was provided by Alexis Jones Photography of Emporia. Flowers were provided by Jeanne Emmerson, owner of A Splash of Blooms, of Spring Grove.

The reception, given by the parents of the bride, was held at Golden Leaf Commons in Emporia.

The couple arrived at the reception courtesy of Jarratt Volunteer Fire Department Tanker 8, driven by Mitch Booden of Jarratt. The tables were decorated with navy tablecloths, floating candles and centerpieces of burlap wreaths holding vases of baby’s breath and wildflowers.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Chuck Edwards of SoCo Entertainment. The pig picking dinner was cooked by the father of the bride and his crew, Olin Romines and Jimmy Beltrami, both of Franklin, and Mark Gunnels of Sunbury, N.C. Side dishes were provided by Wilsons Brothers BBQ of South Hill.

Hors d’oeuvres were prepared and furnished by Robin Duncan of Emporia. The four-tiered wedding cake was decorated in burlap and accented with khaki and white flowers, and was provided by J.B. Jones & Company Bakery of LaCrosse.

After an eight-day October honeymoon cruise to St. Maarten, St. Thomas, San Juan and The Grand Turk, the couple will reside in their new home in Jarratt.

Courtesies

The rehearsal dinner, given by the parents of the groom, was held on Sept. 6, at the Jarratt Volunteer Fire Department in Jarratt. The steak and chicken dinner was prepared by Wayne Cifers of Jarratt. The bride and groom chose this time to present gifts to their wedding party.

A poolside miscellaneous shower was given on Aug. 3, hosted by Jessica Haselman of Roanoke Rapids and Lauren Hennessey of Emporia, at the home of Thomas and Gillaine Hennessey of Emporia.

A Pampered Chef book party was hosted by Mary Beth Vincent of Emporia.

The bride, her attendants, and mistress of ceremonies enjoyed an evening out dining on Aug. 27 in Chester.

The groom and his groomsmen enjoyed a guys’ night out in Richmond on Aug. 28.