ROANOKE RAPIDS – Lauren Elizabeth Swink of Roanoke Rapids and Benjamin Vann Bright of Sunbury exchanged wedding vows during a 4 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 13, 2012 at Calvary Baptist Church in Roanoke Rapids.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David L. Swink of Roanoke Rapids. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Powell Jr. and Mr. and Mrs. Hugh L. Swink, all of Roanoke Rapids. Mrs. Hugh Swink is the former Ramona Vann, a native of Ahoskie.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Erna Bright Jr. of Sunbury. He is the grandson of Mr. Dan Vann and the late Mrs. Mary Sue Vann of Sunbury, and Mr. and Mrs. Erna Bright Sr. of Elizabeth City.

The Rev. Tom Hall performed the nuptial ceremony.

A program of wedding music was provided by Jacob Overton, soloist and guitarist, Hayleigh Stallings, who sang a duet with Jacob Overton, and Daniel Dunlow, pianist, all of Roanoke Rapids.

Given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore an ivory satin strapless pick-up ball gown with a sweetheart bodice, beaded lace detail throughout the gown and chapel-length train.

For her headpiece, the bride chose a fingertip-length two-tier veil with a beaded scallop edge, beaded flowers and sequins. She carried a hand-tied fresh flower bouquet of yellow gerber daisies, hypericum berries, ivory roses, green button mums and babies breath.

Mrs. Georgia Saunders Proctor of Pinehurst, friend of the bride, served as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Miss Jessica Baillargeon, of Greenville, N.C., friend of the bride, Mrs. Amber Bright of Sunbury, sister-in-law of the bridegroom, Mrs. Stephanie Harrell of Jacksonville, cousin of the bride, Mrs. Alice Spragins of Elizabeth City, friend of the bride, and Miss Hannah Simpson of Sunbury, cousin of the bridegroom. Miss Peyton Kelly of Roanoke Rapids, cousin of the bride, served as flower girl. Ring bearer was Blake Bright of Sunbury, nephew of the bridegroom.

Mr. Erna Bright Jr. of Sunbury served as his son’s best man. Groomsmen were Mr. Daniel Bright of Sunbury, brother of the bridegroom, Mr. Jacob Swink of Roanoke Rapids, brother of the bride, Mr. Jeffrey Futrell of Rocky Mount, and Mr. Nathaniel Simpson of Sunbury, both cousins of the bridegroom, and Mr. Travis Kerns of Chesapeake, Va., friend of the bridegroom. Serving as ushers were Lee Powell of Greenville, Joshua Powell and J.C. Pittman, both of Roanoke Rapids, and Hunter Swink and Colton Swink, both of Rocky Mount, all cousins of the bride.

Mrs. Debra Pittman of Roanoke Rapids, and Mrs. Amy Parker of Weldon, served as mistresses of ceremonies.

The bride is a 2012 graduate of East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education. She is employed with Hertford County Schools as a math/science teacher.

The bridegroom is a graduate of Wilson Fire Academy and Norfolk Fire Academy. He is employed with Norfolk Fire and Rescue.

After a honeymoon in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the couple will reside in Sunbury.

A reception was held following the ceremony, hosted by the bride’s parents, at the home of Mason and Lauren Price and catered by family and friends. Music was provided by Tim Bratton of Roanoke Rapids.

An after-rehearsal dinner was hosted by the bridegroom’s parents at Calvary Baptist Church and catered by david’s Restaurant of Roanoke Rapids.

 

Courtesies

On Sept. 29, a bridal luncheon was held at Rosemont Vineyards and Winery in LaCrosse, Va., given by Debra Pittman, Iris Kinnin and Tina Powell, all aunts of the bride, and Velna Hux, cousin of the bride.

A bridal shower was held on Aug. 26, given by church friends of First Christian Church.

On Sept. 16, a bridal shower was held at Smith United Methodist Church, given by friends and family.

Friends and family hosted a bridal shower on Sept. 23, at Beulah Baptist Church in Sunbury.

A bachelorette weekend was held Aug. 10-12 at Pinehurst, hosted by the bridesmaids.