Couple residing in Mississippi after wedding

Special to the news
Published: July 11, 2008

Chesley Blair Thornton and Raymond Lanier Sullivan III were united in marriage Saturday, June 14, in an evening ceremony at First Baptist Church in Eufaula.
The bride is the daughter of Mrs. Jane Thornton and the late Scott Vaughn Thornton of Dothan. She is the granddaughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. William Chester Smith and the late Dr. and Mrs. Grover Cleveland Thornton.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Lanier Sullivan, Jr. of Daphne and Mr. and Mrs. Randall Faulk of Citronelle.
He is the grandson of Mrs. Raymond Lanier Sullivan and the late Mr. Sullivan of Foley, and of Mrs. M.J. Mathews and the late Mr. Mathews of Citronelle.
The double-ring ceremony was officiated by the Reverend Doctor Kenneth W. Bush. Nuptial music was presented by Mrs. Ann Mitchell, organist and pianist. Dr. Carol Gaither was the wedding coordinator.
Given in marriage by her brother, Clayton Vaughn Thornton of Auburn, the bride wore an Oleg Cassini strapless ivory lace gown encrusted with clear sequins and seed pearls.
The mermaid skirt swept into a chapel-length train. With her gown, the bride wore a vintage diamond cross necklace belonging to her mother and ivory pearl earrings.
Tied to her bouquet of baby blue hydrangeas and ivory roses was a remembrance locket, containing a photograph of the bride as a young child with her father.
The groom wore cuff-links that once belonged to his paternal grandfather and namesake in honor and memory of loved ones who were with them in spirit.
Stephanie Nicole Snead, cousin of the bride, served as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Marcy McDonald, Maree Landrum and Shelley Oertel. The attendants wore chocolate, fitted-bodice sundresses with an A-lined street length skirt and ivory pearl necklaces and earrings. Their bouquets were of baby blue hydrangeas.
The flower girl, Abigail Francher, wore an ivory satin floor-length dress with lace appliqué.
She carried a brown basket with baby blue ribbon embellishments. Inside the basket was a Bible that belonged to the bride’s maternal great-great-grandmother.
The groom’s father, Raymond Lanier Sullivan, Jr. and Jonathan Oertel served as his best men. The groomsmen were Matthew Sullivan, brother of the groom, and Joey West. The groom and groomsmen wore two-button, single-breasted jackets in tan linen with pleated trousers and crisp, white shirts with diagonal striped ties. The ring bearer, Christian Haughton, wore a baby blue button-on romper with a white collar. He carried a small, white pillow with chocolate ribbon insertion embroidered with the date of the wedding.
A reception was held immediately following the ceremony at the Eufaula Country Club. The dinner buffet cuisine was provided by Chef Art Gerrald and floral arrangements were provided by Ferrell’s Florist.
Guests were entertained with music by the Beaugators of Dothan.
Foster Street Bakery of Dothan provided the bride and groom’s cakes, and a surprise birthday cake was presented to the mother of the bride by her children.
On the eve of the wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Lanier Sullivan, Jr. hosted a seated, rehearsal dinner at the Shorter Mansion in Eufaula. Mary Williams catered the affair.
While waiting for the arrival of the wedding party, out-of-town guests were served lemonade and cheese straws.
Following a honeymoon to Ono Island, the couple is at home in Clinton, Miss.