Ewing and Mathews unite in marriage

Kristen Ewing and Thomas Mathews

Ms. Kristen Leigh Ewing and Mr. Thomas Corey Mathews were united in marriage on the beautiful day of June 7, 2008 at Three o'clock in the afternoon in the historic Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Jefferson Texas. The double ring ceremony was officiated by Mr. Rex French, friend of the groom.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Danny Whitten of Kilgore Texas. Kristen is the granddaughter of Bill Elias and Jerri Elias both of Longview Texas and Ellen Whitten of Kilgore and the late Dan Whitten of Kilgore.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Mathews of Laneville Texas and Mr. and Mrs. Rodney Messick of Longview. Corey is the grandson of Alene Mathews and the late Jim Mathews of Idabel Oklahoma and the late Mr. and Mrs. Zed Zay Smith Jr. formally of White Oak.

The bride was given in marriage by her parents. Escorted to the altar by her father, Kristen wore a strapless wedding gown from Jasmine Couture. The gown was of soft ivory satin with an organza overlay with an elegant drop waist. From the sweetheart neckline down it was embellished with crystal-beaded appliqué and Swarovski crystals. Silk buttons trailed down to the cascading chapel length train. She wore a beautiful headpiece of crystal and freshwater pearls that only added to the beauty of her chapel- length veil edged in hand beaded scallops with crystal beaded appliqué and Swarovski crystals. Kristen held a lovely fragrant hand tied bouquet of ivory and pink roses accented with alstroemeria and dainty wax flower.

Assisting the bride was matron of honor Ms. Kalli Jordan of College Station, Texas, friend of the bride. Kristen's bridesmaids were Ms. Mallory Glaisyer of Mansfield Texas, friend of the bride and Angela Riddick of Euless, Texas, cousin of the bride. The bridal party all wore matching strapless short dresses with a bubble hem in an olivine iridescent taffeta and carried a hand tied bouquet of pink roses. The flower girls were Ryleigh and Paityn Webb of Bristow, Oklahoma, cousins of the bride. They wore precious matching tea length satin dresses with an organza overlay that tied with a soft bow in the back. They carried beautiful little flower purses made out of delicate pink roses and satin ribbon. Quila Webb attended the guest book is a cousin of the bride.

Standing as best man was James Hasley of White Oak Texas, friend of the groom. Groomsmen included Cody Bridges of Longview Texas, friend of the groom and Curtis Watson of White Oak, Texas, friend of the groom. Ushers were Kory Whitten of Kilgore Texas, brother of the bride and Brian Riddick of San Antonio Texas, cousin of the bride. The gentlemen were suited in tan formal attire that finished up with ivory rose boutonnieres.

The destination wedding weekend began on Friday evening with a rehearsal dinner hosted on the inviting lawn at Jefferson's Lion's Park by Cecil and Cindy Cook of Kilgore, friends of the bride and groom. Delicious hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings were served with scrumptious red velvet cake made by the grooms Aunt Gena Barnett of Longview, Texas.

The historic Cumberland Church was dripping in softly swagged ivory tulle and pink hydranges Following the elegant mid-afternoon chapel ceremony, the reception was celebrated in the historic Carnige Library's upstairs ballroom. The happy couple arrived in their horse drawn carriage and was greeted by friends and family who welcomed them to their first dance to Nora Jones' song "Come away with me".

The bride is 2004 graduate of Sabine High School. She attended Kilgore College and Stephen F. Austin. Kristen will be attending UT of Tyler in the fall to finish up her nursing degree. Kristen is currently employed by Mc- Clendon Cleaners of Kilgore. The groom is a 2002 graduate of Pine Tree High School and attended Kilgore College. He is currently employed by Flint Energy of Kilgore.

The couple will enjoy a late summer honeymoon in Destin Florida. They reside at their home in Kilgore.