Dilbeck-Johnston couple weds

Alicia Michelle Johnston and Cody Grant Dilbeck were united in marriage recently in front of the Forsyth Park fountain in Savannah, Ga. The Rev. Steven Schulte officiated at the noon ceremony. Austin Fitzhenry, cellist, and Leslie Fitzhenry, violinist, provided music for the ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Greg and Markia Johnston of North Wilkesboro. She is employed as an inventory fulfillment specialist at Lowe’s Companies.

The groom is the son of Larry and Debbie Dilbeck of Knob Noster, Mo. He is employed as an IT support manager at Lowe’s Companies.

The bride and her father arrived at the park in a 1937 Packard. She was escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents. The bride wore a designer, ivory lace gown accented with swarovski crystals, pearls, and silver-backed crystal sequins. It featured a V-shaped neckline with pearl-encrusted spaghetti straps and a fit-and-flare silhouette. Her ivory veil was accented with beaded edges. The bride also wore crystal covered peep-toe heels.

She carried a bouquet of coral and ivory roses with teal accents. A brooch belonging to her late great-grandmother, Mabel Johnston, accented the ivory lace wrapped stems. She also carried an embroidered handkerchief from Malta, Italy, borrowed from her grandfather, Larry Johnston, who purchased it in 1959 while in service.

Marlee Henderson, niece of the groom, served as flower girl. Ring bearers were Chance Henderson and Jett Judd, nephews of the groom.

Trinity Reed with D. Vine Weddings & Events directed the wedding ceremony. Tyler Johnston, cousin of the bride, attended the guest register and Ava and Ansley Stone assisted. A private trolley provided by Old Savannah Tours transported guests from the hotel to the ceremony site and back to the reception site.

Following a honeymoon to St. Lucia, the couple resides in Wilkesboro.

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Reception

A reception followed the ceremony in the Harbor View Room at the Hilton Savannah DeSoto. A vintage theme was used with centerpieces of bird cages, lanterns, votive candles, and various pictures of the couple and their family members.

After a toast and prayer given by her father, guests were served grilled flank steak, pan seared Atlantic salmon and vegetables. Michelle Still with Delectable Designs provided the four-tiered wedding cake which was covered with buttercream roses in shades of teal. Guests were given glass coasters and a box of chocolates from Savannah’s Candy Kitchen from the bride and groom.

Music was provided by All About You Entertainment and there were special dances between the bride and groom, the bride and her father, and the groom and his mother. Later that evening, many of the guests accepted the invitation to take a trolley ghost tour around the historic downtown Savannah area.

Rehearsal dinner

The prospective groom’s family were hosts for a low country boil for the wedding guests at Forsyth Park House the night before the wedding. Cupcakes chosen by the bride-elect were served for dessert and featured the prospective groom’s favorite teams, Arkansas Razorbacks, Kansas City Chiefs and Kansas City Royals.

Local reception

A reception was held at Benton Hall Center for the Arts in late April for family and friends unable to attend the event in Savannah, Ga. Guests were served hors d’oeuvres and punch. A slide show featuring scenes from the wedding and honeymoon were displayed. A three-tiered ivory wedding cake was cut by the bride and groom and served to the guests.

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