Over the Moon: The German-Kimzey Wedding

By Lucianne Shoffner

Photography by Jessica Riley

On a brightly shining November day, Kelsey Le’Anne Kimzey and Jacob Rhea German exchanged vows, promising to continue a very sweet courtship for the rest of their lives.

Kelsey is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chad (Melissa) Kimzey of Water Valley, Mississippi. Jacob is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie (Lucinda) German of Somerville, Tennessee. On November 3, 2018, Kelsey walked down the aisle on the arm of her father, who gave her into the care of Jacob. They were married at the Woodland Hills Event Center in Cordova. with a very traditional ceremony. Presiding over the ceremony was pastor Kyle Bomar of the First United Methodist Church of Somerville. Pianist for the event was Ms. Sarah Belle Day, violinists were Kimberlee Hauss Brooks and Scott Sturtevant. The Unity Candle and tall stands were decorated with ferns and cotton stalks. Capturing the timeless event was Jessica Riley, photographer, and Camilla Weddings who did the videography. Invitations to the event were created by Chelsea Nelson with CNdesigns.

Attending Kelsey were bridesmaids Karen Lessel, Lauren Kimzey, Brittany Hodge, and Chene’e Olmsted. Her maid of honor was Sidney Kimzey and matron of honor was Chelsea Nelson. Her attendants wore beautiful golden gowns by Dessy. Serving as flower girls were Emersyn Scero, Scarlett Bishop, and Ella Beard.

The bride’s dress was an Allure ivory, lace and beaded gown with a v-neck and sheer netting in the front and back with buttons. A chapel length train along with a mid-length ivory veil with beading completed her loveliness for the day. In honor of her beloved grandfather, who had passed away, Kelsey had a piece of his shirt sewn into her dress, along with one of his cotton cufflinks adorned the center of her hair arrangement. It also included cotton from her family’s farm. Her wedding band was also using gold from her grandfather’s wedding band, creating a continuation of the love he had for his granddaughter. Because she and Jacob are both very sentimental people and are proud of the farming heritage they and their families share, they incorporated that into their wedding. Instead of traditional flowers, they used cotton throughout their decor, in her hairpiece, boutonnieres, centerpieces, bouquets, and the event center.

Kelsey continued the tradition of Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, with her shoes, her new dress, veil, and rings. She borrowed her grandmother’s earrings and wore a sapphire ring as her something blue.

Hope Stovall and Acacia Newman of Hair Trendz in Water Valley, Mississippi arranged the bride and bridesmaids hair to perfection; their makeup, giving them a beautiful glow, was applied perfectly by Kasey Acuff.

Jacob’s Groomsmen included Jason Hardin, Trenton Elrod, Sullivan Landry, Currie Landry, Paul Scates, Tyler Kimzey, and Shane Warf. His best man was Will Landry and the ring bearers were Chandler German, John Bradley German, and Thomas German. Ushers included Jeremy German and Jeff German, and the scripture reader was Austin Reece. The groomsmen were resplendent in black suits, black ties, and gold tie bars engraved with their initials. The groom wore a black tux with an ivory shirt with an ivory and paisley tie. A gold tie bar engraved with his initials and gold cow cufflinks were a gift from his bride. The gentlemen’s attire was rented from Generation Tux. Tie bars and bridesmaids necklaces were purchased from David Kelley Jewelers in Somerville, along with the groom’s ring and the uniquely designed ring that Kelsey now wears.

At the reception, catered by Woodland Hills Event Center, the flowers (cotton) and decorations were designed by GG’s Flowers and Gifts. The luscious wedding cake was a three layer cake (vanilla, red velvet, and chocolate) iced delicately with buttercream icing and decorated with greenery and cotton from the families’ farms. A gold “G” was placed on top by the baker, Cakes by Carolyn. The groom’s cake was a delightful strawberry flavor with buttercream icing colored brown and green with a duck hunting theme.

Guests were entertained by DMP Band with RAM Entertainment. The bride and her father danced to “Daddy’s Little Girl” by The Shires, Jacob and his mother danced to “Slow Down” by Nichole Nordman, and the bride and groom danced the first time as husband and wife to the most appropriate song: “I Cross My Heart” by George Strait.

The couple spent their honeymoon in the Maldives and returned to make their home in Somerville where Jacob is a cattleman and farmer, and Kelsey is a 4th-grade teacher at Buckley Carpenter Elementary School in Somerville.

Many parties were given in their honor, beginning with an engagement party hosted by the bride’s sister and close friends in Somerville. An “I Do BBQ” was hosted by the Rike family in Collierville, “Tailgate and Celebrate” party was hosted by Chelsea Nelson, Kara Lessel, and Michelle Elrod in Somerville. The O’Tuckalofa Baptist Church (Kelsey’s hometown church) held a shower which was hosted by Nikki Griffin, Michelle Washington, Desha Ferfuson, Louida Doolin, Tammy Moore, Shellie Taylor, and Audrey Bishop. The First United Methodist Church of Somerville (Jacob’s hometown church) gave a shower which was hosted by Debbie Moore, Amy Woods, Heather Doyle, Diane Jones, Phyllis Taylor, and Ronda Boswell. The First Baptist Church of Somerville also gave the couple a shower which was hosted by Laurie Rhea, Shana Johnson, Tina Kelley, Lisa Douglass, Jamie Fleming, and Debbie Sullivan. The rehearsal dinner was held at the Butcher’s Shop and hosted by the groom’s parents, Willie and Lucinda German.

Many times, it’s being in the right place at the right time that allows you to find your true love. Jacob and Kelsey were no exception. One of Jacob’s best friends was seeing one of Kelsey’s friends. As she was coming up to Somerville to go to a party that Jacob was hosting, she wanted a friend to come along and invited Kelsey. When she and Jacob met, a spark just “kind of happened.” Their relationship sparked quickly, and the rest is history.

“Jacob is a cattle farmer. He took in two twin calves and we bottle fed and raised them. They became our ‘pets.’ I told Jacob that I wanted to have Christmas pictures made with all of our dogs and Luna and Nora (the calves) My mom and sister were going to take the pictures and when we went to the barn, he had written on their ear tags, ‘Marry Me?’ and ‘I Love You.’ When I saw them, he was behind me and was down on one knee.” Of course, the answer was yes—and then the planning began!”