Once upon a time, there were two neighbors – a young lady and a gentleman. Each was focused and determined in their chosen fields and absolutely convinced there was no time for romance in life. Why bother with something so silly? Even though they were neighbors, they had never laid eyes upon each other. However, fate had plans for these two. One evening, the lady inadvertently set off the smoke alarm in her apartment. In the parking lot below, the gentleman heard the ruckus and feared the noise was coming from his own residence. He left his friends and rushed up the stairs! Upon discovering no problems in his own apartment, he knocked on his neighbor’s door – and was pleasantly surprised to discover he lived next door to a lovely lady. He, of course, offered her his assistance, and thus began a fairy-tale romance neither of them could have planned for or imagined. Their story has been characterized by many of the joys and sorrows found in a romantic journey … including the happily ever after.
Shannon Danielle Bowers and Justin Joseph Smith were joined in holy matrimony at the luxurious Imperial Palace Casino, Resort, & Spa on April 14, 2012. The Rev. William Dean Mosher officiated the delightful ceremony.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Terryll Rowan Bowers, of Loxley, Ala., and the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Henry Fortenberry, Jr., of Jackson, Miss., and the late Mr. and Mrs. L.Vernon Bowers also of Jackson, Miss. She is the sister of the late Mr. Braden Scott Bowers, of Loxley, Ala.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith of Caledonia, Miss., and the grandson of the late Barbara Scheer, of Downey, Calif., the late Richard McGuckin, of Downey, Calif., and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Moore, of St. Louis, Mo. He is the step-grandson, of David Scheer, of Caledonia, Miss., and the brother of Mr. Ross Smith, of Navarre Beach, Fla.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride chose to honor her late brother by choosing his best friend, Jim D’Agostino II, as her man of honor. Bridesmaids were Karin Bailey, Stephanie Bowers, Tonya Craft-Wolfe, Hope Fortenberry, Kayla Fortenberry, Chasity Haberecht, Megan Ozborn, Leslie Pitts, Angela Rausch, Heather Smith and Charlotte Taylor. The bridesmaids looked splendid in jewel-toned gowns of their own choosing. Each bridesmaid had a customized hair and make-up look designed just for them. Hair for the bridesmaids was done by Tonya Craft-Wolfe, private stylist, of Clinton, Miss. Makeup for the bridal party was provided by Becky Roode, Mary Kay Independent Sales Director. The bride was adorned in a beautiful one-shoulder taffeta ballgown by Alfred Angelo, royal blue shoes by Nine West, and chandelier earrings by Juicy Couture. Her hair was done in a romantic up-do by Megan Ozborn, of Girlfriend’s Salon in Jackson, Miss.
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The groom chose Allen Whittington as his best man. Groomsmen were Andrew Bowers, Corey Partin, Brian Rucker, Ross Smith, Mitch Stockman and Daniel Willett. The gentlemen were handsomely dressed in Wilke-Rodriguez tuxedos from Men’s Wearhouse. Laila Smith graced the aisle as flower girl, and Krischan Smith proudly served as ring bearer.
Shannon and Justin’s dream ceremony and reception setting was artfully created by John D. Folding & Associates, of Biloxi, Miss. Mr. Folding and his crew skillfully merged Shannon’s love of the whimsical and romantic with Justin’s preference for the sleek and modern to create a fairy-tale setting with a feeling of intimacy.
At the reception, guests were treated to an open bar and a sumptuous buffet of Mexican delicacies prepared by the culinary staff of the Imperial Palace Casino, Resort, & Spa. The musical mixings of Jim Horn, of Jim Horn Entertainment, got the party started and brought the crowd to the dance floor. After rocking out to some of the bride and groom’s favorite tunes, guests gathered for the cutting of the cakes. Once the almond wedding cake filled with fresh strawberries and butter cream and the groom’s vanilla cake with chocolate icing was cut, the guests were free to indulge their sweet tooth by combining their cake of choice with ice cream and toppings from the ice cream bar.Shannon and Justin’s dream ceremony and reception setting was artfully created by John D. Folding & Associates, of Biloxi, Miss. Mr. Folding and his crew skillfully merged Shannon’s love of the whimsical and romantic with Justin’s preference for the sleek and modern to create a fairy-tale setting with a feeling of intimacy.
After a memorable afternoon, the couple exited to the cheers of their friends and family and the blowing of party horns. Wedding memories were captured though the artful photography of Angie Foote Photography. Engagement photography was captured by Tonya Wolfe Photography. The bride and groom enjoyed a Hawaiian cruise on Princess Cruise Line for their honeymoon and now split their time between their beautiful home in Loxley, Ala., and beachside apartment in Carlsbad, Calif.
