Published: July 10, 2008 08:25 am      

Wiley-Christian Wedding

Heather Michelle Wiley and Jason Elliott Christian were joined in a double ring ceremony on July 7, 2007. Bells rang seven times at seven o'clock in the evening at Lakewood United Methodist Church in Houston. Officiates were Doctor C. Chappell Temple of Lakewood and Ben Gardner of Grace Baptist Church of Rosenberg.

The bride is the daughter of Bobby and Mellicent Wiley of Huntsville. Grandparents include Helen Wiley, the late Lloyd H. Wiley, late Oscar and late Gloria Sikes, all of Temple.

The parents of the groom are Tommy and Betty Christian of Spring. Grandparents include the late Lloyd Christian, late Joyce Ray, late Bob and late Mary Anderson, all of Houston.

The bride wore a taffeta strapless gown beautifully shaped with a sweetheart neckline. The traditional A-line skirt created a classic silhouette that accented her waistline. Her gown was heavily adorned with Swarovski crystals and embroidered with a silver lace pattern that crisscrossed throughout the entire gown. The lacing coupled with the sparkle of the crystals to create a formal look that was perfect for her evening wedding. The gown shaped her back with an elegant deep “V” that framed her shoulders. Romantic lace finished off the chapel length train and a delicate crystal ornamented veil completed the look. Her cascading bridal bouquet of roses, stargazer lilies, wisteria and stephanotis accented with crystals had seven pieces of jewelry that belonged to both mothers, grandmothers and her great grandmother. She wore a crystal lariat style necklace with rhondel dividers throughout with matching earrings and bracelet, a gift from her mother.

Huntsville attendants were Michelle Black Culak, Matron of Honor, Joanna Fowler, Maid of Honor, Monica Elliott Hunter and Whitley Stubbs. Houston attendants were Megan Elledge, Shelley Buckles and Jennifer Christian. They wore elegant black floor-length formals from Mori Lee. The two-piece strapless gowns featured an asymmetrical draping in the waist that accented the waistlines of her attendants. The fabric gathered on the side of the bodice to create a soft cascading flounce that overlaid the A-line skirt. They carried red roses. Brittany Austin and Logan Evans of Temple served as flower girls. They wore black floor-length dresses and carried baskets of white rose petals. The bridal party wore crystal necklaces, earrings and bracelets, gifts from the bride.

The groom and groomsmen wore black tuxedos with silver pin stripes. The groom's vest and tie were silver and his attendants' vests and ties were black.

Houston groomsmen were Jimmy Elledge, Best Man, Kris Slayton, Brendon Edmiston and Ike Blanchard. Huntsville groomsmen were Bobby Wiley II, Heath Wiley and Justin Wiley. Joshua Austin of Temple, served as ring bearer. Ushers were Brandon Higbie, Jerry Martinez, Jared Slayton, Monty Trevino and Dennis Wuensche, all of Houston.

Organist, John Hemmenway, Cellist, Max Dyer, and Vocalists Shary Winkelmann and John McAnulty all of Houston provided the ceremony music. Solos were “In This Very Room” by Harris and Harris, “Surely The Presence” by Wolfe. Duet was “When God Made You” by Natalie Grant. The wedding party procession music was “Cannon in D” by Pachelbel and the bride's was “The Wedding Processional” by Rodgers and Hammerstein; recessional was “Hornpipe” by Handal and Postlude was “Trumpet Tune and Air” by Purcell. Her father and brothers escorted her and gave her hand in marriage.

Seven ladies assisted with registration and signing of quilt were Christy Sikes Atkins of Huntsville, Lorena Standley Chandler of Rosanky, Tuesde Freeman of Trinity, Kalandra Loftin of Austin, Tina Rogers of Houston, Stacy Sherrod of Houston, and Kerri Sikes Thompson of Whiteface.

Reception and dance followed in the church Asbury Hall. Guests were served Lasagna, Chicken Alfredo, green salad and bread from The Lasagna House III of Houston.

The bride's seven-layer butter cream cake with strawberry filling created by the Bavarian Cakery of Houston was adorned with fresh red roses and crystals on top and between the layers while the table was decorated with crystal candelabras and a porcelain bride and groom. The groom's chocolate cake was designed and created by Cindy Wiley of Salado, the bride's aunt, as a replica of one of Elvis Presley's guitars and his table was decorated with a glass replica of Graceland and a pink Cadillac.

House party consisted of aunts: Sandy Anderson of Houston, Barbara Duren of Conroe, Kim Sikes of Temple, Tonie Sikes of Huntsville, Gail Sirny of Temple, Shelley Wilde of Temple and Cindy Wiley.

Nite Beat Band of Houston entertained the guests. Twenty-five foot trees with tiny white lights surrounded the dance floor. The couple's first dance was “Amazed” by Lonestar. The bride and father danced to “I Loved Her First” by Heartland. The groom and mother danced to “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong.

The couple left the church in a helicopter. They went on a seven-day honeymoon cruise to Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

The bride is a 1999 honor graduate of Huntsville High School and a 2003 honor graduate of Sam Houston State University. She is a student in the Physician Assistant Program at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, presently doing clinical rotations.

The groom is a 1993 graduate of Klein High School in Spring. He is a Manager at Macy's at the Mall of the Mainland in Texas City.

The couple presently resides in Texas City and can be reached at heather_michelle_99@yahoo.com

Photographers were Decca Photography of Houston, Earnest Barron of Huntsville and Debra Buster of Houston. Videographer was Brian Wright of College Station. Photos available for viewing at the following website, click on wedding, then click on proofing, and enter password christian: http://www.deccaphotography.com/

The groom's parents hosted a luau rehearsal dinner at the church catered by The County Line of Houston. Candace Wedgeworth provided music and entertainment.

Attendants hosted the bride with a Bachelorette party in Houston which included a spa, dinner at El Patio, a lingerie shower, an evening at the Red Door Club, spending the night in a hotel suite followed by brunch the next morning at LaStrada. The groom was hosted with a Bachelor party consisting of an Astros game, trip to Dave and Busters and a hotel suite where they played card games.

Jason and Heather thank everyone that helped with their wedding and honored them with showers: Tonie Sikes, Christy Sikes Atkins and Kerri Sikes Thompson at the home of Freddy and Tonie Sikes of Huntsville; Lakewood United Methodist Church of Houston; Vanny Bolsins, Kimberly Sikes and Jean Sykes at the home of Shelley and Vanny Bolsins of Temple; Richard and Barbara Duren of Conroe at their home; Katherine McKenzie, Rhonda Mauldin and Nancye Gardner at the home of Ms. McKenzie of Huntsville.