A Southern Classic: The Westbrook-Glass Wedding

By Lucianne Shoffner

Photos by Jessica Riley

Margy Westbrook and Parker Glass were united in marriage on October 13th, 2018. Margy is the daughter of Debbie Dandridge Westbrook of Somerville, TN and Terry Westbrook of Moline, IL, and the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cathey Dandridge, Jr. Parker is the son of Dr. and Mrs. David Glass of Yorktown, Virginia.

While the day dawned as a beautiful sunny day, when the time came to walk down the aisle, the sky opened up and poured. “Since it was an outside wedding, we had to move everything inside the main tent, but with the help of family and friends, it all worked out.” Having everyone they loved so close during the ceremony made it all the sweeter as everyone was under one large tent at the Nolting Residence. (Rain is good luck on your wedding day - Margy and Parker will have lots of luck!)

Reverand David Phelps presided over the ceremony which showcased the feeling of family, friends, and fun on the couple’s special day.

Guests were greeted by Wellons and Harbison Farmer and then ushered to their seats by Matt Staul, Matt Canduso, Bo Thrasher, John Clay Durley, Jonathan Evans, Erik Goetzke, and Nate Bell.

Bridesmaids included Oliva Orr, Kendall Alexander, Lillie Blankenstein, Shelley Jones, Tess Glover, Shea Gould, and April Porter; junior bridesmaids were Emily Grantham, Megan Grantham, Rachel Anne Phelps, Anjali Evans, Sarah Thrasher, Adi Thrasher, Taylor Tubertini and the maid of honor was Elinor Westbrook the bride’s sister. The flower girl was Emilee Bdoyan. The bridesmaids were lovely in long Vera Wang bridesmaid dress in sterling silver. Each maid was allowed to pick their favorite style. The junior bridesmaids picked short dresses in their favorite style in a shade of silver.

The bride wore a Madison James dress from Lowe’s Bridal. A natural white dress with a v-neck, modified A-line with a lace overlay and chapel length train, with hand sewn buttons in the back the entire length of the dress completed this vision in loveliness. Her chapel length veil was made for her by her mother. There was a simple silk lily of the valley sprig sewn onto the comb, taken from the veil her mother wore in her wedding. Her hair and that of her bridesmaids was done by Malden Frans, while the makeup was put together by all of the girls, who had fun borrowing from each other and helping one another.

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue with a sixpence in her shoe… Something old was provided by Margy’s mother, who made the veil, attaching a piece of her wedding veil to Margy’s. Something new was provided by Margy’s mother-in-law, who studied abroad in England in college. While she was there, she got the 6 pence for her future daughter on her wedding day. Since she had two sons, Margy was the one who got it for her wedding day. It was given to her during the rehearsal dinner. Something borrowed was from her mother, a beautiful bracelet with a double strand of pearls and a sapphire clasp, along with a sapphire ring which was given to her mother for ‘something blue’ in her wedding. Margy’s something blue were her blue shoes.

The flower petals dropped by Emilee before Margy went down the aisle had been saved and dried from flower arrangements that Parker had given her throughout the years. The pillow carried by Jackson down the aisle was made by Margy’s mother, and it did indeed have the rings on the pillow. This was a must for Parker.

Groomsmen included Ben Phifer, Chase Rappaport, Ryan Myatt, Josh Poston, Evan Brain, Greg Harnage, Robbie Fields, and the best man was Evan Glass, the groom’s brother. The ring bearer was Jackson Evans. The groomsmen were resplendent in navy Calvin Klein suits with silver ties and brown shoes, all from Men’s Warehouse. Parker made sure that all of his groomsmen had fun socks as well. The Groom wore a navy Calvin Klein tuxedo, with a silver tie and brown shoes to match his groomsmen.

The scripture reader for the ceremony was Elizabeth Ann Orr, the pianist was Jay Walker and Tom Bridgewater was the violinist. The couple also asked everyone to sing “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” under the direction of Steve Grantham.

Flowers for the wedding and reception were specially made and designed by Ferrane Wilson of Twigs and Things in Oakland. The bride carried a garden-style bouquet of an assortment of classic flowers in shades of white. The fluffy hydrangea, ranunculus, dahlia, and garden roses were contrasted by the delicate white petals and black centers of the anemone and the unexpected non-traditional flair of blue thistle. Hand-tied with satin ribbon, the flowers made the perfect subtle statement for a backyard wedding.

Everything was beautifully put together by J.G. Walker, III of Walker Design and Events. Photography was by Jessica Riley, and Videography was accomplished by Elijah Gaddy Visuals.

Because both the bride and groom were graduates of Mississippi State University, cowbells had to be incorporated somehow. Little cowbells were ordered for people to ring as the couple left, and were passed out by Weber and Benton Durley.

The couple’s reception was catered by Me and My Tea Room with Edie Adams coordinating. The menu included a build your own BBQ station, build your own grilled cheese station, build your own slider station, a potato bar, grilled and chilled vegetables, fruit display, cheese display, and coffee bar. The wedding cake was vanilla, lemon, and a strawberry naked round cake. The groom’s cake was a Mississippi State themed chocolate chip pound cake.

The guests were entertained by the band, Almost Famous, who received a recommendation by the bride—“Best wedding band ever!” She and her husband danced their first dance to the sounds of “I Can’t Help Fallin in Love With You” by Elvis Presley. The bride danced with her father to “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack and the groom danced with his mother to “You’ll Be In My Heart” by Phil Collins.

During the reception, the bride’s Chi Omega sisters gathered around her and sang. Parker’s Phi Gamma Delta fraternity brothers also serenaded her as well, because she was the sweetheart of their fraternity. The fraternity brothers also had a song (chant) that they did as well.

Tents were provided by Amerispan Tents and the invitations by Carlson Craft. The ‘Save the Date’ cards were designed by the bride’s college friend and graphic designer, April Porter.

The couple was blessed with many parties prior to their wedding. The first was a surprise engagement party given by the bride’s roommate, Shelley Jones, at their home after fall break. All of her close college friends were there, along with Parker and his friends.

Their first shower was given in March at the Chi Omega house, hosted by Mississippi State tailgating friends, and the bridesmaids. Hostesses were Paula Gould, Blanche King, Amy Woods, Mary Lynne Tomline and Kellie Orr, Shea Gould, Olivia Orr, Lillie Blankenstein, Shelley Jones, Taylor Anne King, Elinor Westbrook, April Porter, Kendall Alexander, and Tess Glover. It was such a fun idea of Shea Gould to start the festivities with college friends before many graduated!

The second shower was a tea given by Joe English, Shirley Redfearn, Tina Johnson, Charlotte Karcher, Jeanette White, and Ellen Defoor. Guests were family and friends from the community, work, and school.

A shower given by Church friends at the home of Connie Amar was also hosted by Renee Barrios, Sharon Close, Dee Close, Louise VanSickel, and Sharon Close. Guests were treated to authentic Filipino dishes, favorites of Margy.

Given in the lovely home of Carol Rhea, and hosted by Carol, Marjorie Walker, Sheila Powell, Ginger Prince, Holly Rhea, and Val Slocum, the guests were close friends and their mothers.

Because Parker is from Virginia, his mother threw a beautiful reception for all of the friends and family from Virginia who were unable to come to the wedding. She hosted it at their family home in Yorktown, Virginia. The couple was introduced and welcomed as husband and wife.

The rehearsal dinner was hosted by the groom's parents at Ridgeway Country Club in Germantown. After enjoying dinner, family and friends toasted (and roasted) the Bride and Groom. The Bridesmaids’ luncheon was in Braden, TN at the Cocke home. Hostesses were Teresa Cocke, Meg Moss, Paula Gould, Caley Rhea, Jennifer Durley, and Regina Tapp. Family and friends enjoyed a beautiful day and brunch together ending with key lime pie, the bride’s favorite dessert.

The Proposal: Both of the families went to East Tennessee and stayed at neighboring cabins for fall break. Debbie, the photographer of the Westbrook family, decided that they needed photos for family Christmas cards. Margy and her sister were the last to be taken. Parker and his younger brother, Evan, were also on fall break. His Mom was also taking photos. The suggestion was made that single photos should be taken. Parker walked up to Margy, to grab her hand and walked behind where Evan and his Mom were taking photos. Of course, being a photographer’s daughter, Margy immediately started balking at walking through. The whole time they walked, she fussed about being in the background. Parker squeezed her hand, and said, “This is not about them.” Well, that little phrase got an eye roll. The next thing Margy knew, Parker was down on one knee asking Margy to marry him. Her natural response was to cry and ask if he was kidding, but then she said “Yes!” Parker proceeded to put the ring on the wrong finger, but he did get it right on their wedding day!

The couple honeymooned in Maui, Hawaii before returning to their home. Parker is a budget analyst for NASA Langley. Margy is a personal trainer for the YMCA and a soccer/basketball assistant coach at Hampton Roads Academy in Newport News, Virginia.