Ashlee Shayne Hutchens and Matthew Brady Kimpel were united in marriage June 25, 2011, in a double-ring ceremony at Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church, Rev. Andrew Siegenthaler officiating.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Phil Hutchens of Cullman.

The groom is the son of Joy Yan of Mobile, Ala., and Mr. and Mrs. Monte Kimpel of Brenham, Texas.

Wedding music was provided by Dr. Michael Lunsford, pianist; Scott Miller, on the hammered dulcimer; Joyah Pettus, violinist; and vocalists, Katie Burney and Dave Dubberly.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a designer formal gown of ivory and champagne duchess satin. Fashioned in the halter styling with a molded bodice, the gown’s focal interest was the inset of the waist an a bow formed at the small of the back, with long sashes extending the entire length of the gown. Generously detailed with hand beading and embroidery, the skirt flowed into an extended chapel-length train. Her veil of imported French tullé was delicately adorned with a tiny silver embroidery and pearls and was held by a bridal bandeau of freshwater pearls and rhinestones.

The bride’s bouquet was designed by her aunt, Carol Wilhite. She created a cascading bouquet overflowing with cream Vendela roses, white Escimo roses, blush Virginia roses, and White Princess spray roses, intertwined with white cattleya orchids, white freesia, and variegated ivy. The focal point of the bouquet was fragrant snow white Casa Blanca lilies grown by the bride’s father. Stems of phalaenopsis orchids and champagne and ivory ribbons cascaded from the bouquet. Accenting the bouquet were crystals, which gave the illusion of sparkling diamonds.

Kristen Sornsin of Alexander City was maid of honor. Bridal attendants were Candice Grochowalski of Guntersville, Katie Mounie of Gulf Shores and Patricia Thomas of Daleville. Isabella Jones of Cullman served as junior bridesmaid. They wore designer Caribbean blue strapless floor-length gowns of shiny satin. Enhanced with two large rhinestone buttons at the small of the back, the gowns extended into a long flowing train to match that of the bride’s gown. The maid of honor and bridesmaids also carried cascading bouquets of white asiactic lilies encircled by Vendella roses, Escimo roses, and Virginia roses, adorned with sparkling crystals. These were nestled into a bed of white dendrobium orchids and coffee greens. Flowing from the bouquets were Caribbean blue and iridescent ribbons.

Dennis Cobb of Mobile served as best man. Groomsmen were Eric Cash of Mobile, Matthew Jones of Eufala and Jimmy Wilhite of Cullman.

Attending the bride’s registries were Kim Phillips, Jamie Phillips, Sharon Weatherly and Caroline Weatherly.

The bride’s aunt, Carol Wilhite, was the floral designer for the wedding. The wedding ceremony was centered between two floral designs sitting atop white pedestals. The arrangements contained Casa Blanca lilies grown by the bride’s father, hydrangeas, calla lilies, Vendella roses, delphinium, and fragrant stock all in shades of white. Nestled among the white flowers were jumbo sage green hydrangeas. Rising up through and above the flowers were white myrtle branches and Queen palm fronds. Draping from the bottom of the arrangements were hanging green amaranthus, white dendrobium orchids, and white muscadine vines. Up lighting created beautiful shadows which enhanced the design.

Gracing each side of the altar were two fluted white containers filled with Snowflake hydrangeas grown by the bride’s grandfather, Mr. James Hutchens.

The altar rail was adorned with ivory puddled raw silk. Cascading from the altar rail were seven floor-length designs, each overflowing with jumbo sage green hydrangeas, fragrant white stock, Spanish moss, and shades of cream and white roses.

Upon entering the sanctuary, the guest was greeted with swags adorning each pew created from Catleya orchids, dendrobium orchids, Spanish moss, fragrant white stock, cream and white roses, and ivory and champagne ribbon.

The reception was held at The Pointe, First Baptist Church in Cullman.

Chris Hutchens, cousin of the bride, created a coastal theme for the reception that was held at The Pointe at First Baptist Church of Cullman, Alabama. Guests were greeted by tropical flowers of dendrobiums, red ginger, and roses in bright orange, dark green, hot fuscia pink, and dark yellow with orange tips. Sea shells, sand, bamboo, palm fronds, and other tropical foliages gave the room a coastal ambiance. The two focal points in the room were two large floral creations designed to give the appearance of a tropical sunset. A large seahorse ice sculpture nestled into Spanish moss further enhanced the coastal theme.

Entertainment was provided by musicians, Dr. John Cornett and the Scott Miller family. This stringed quintet played bluegrass and blues music.

Following a wedding trip to St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, the couple resides in Daphne, Ala.

Prenuptial Parties

A fiesta-themed engagement party was hosted by friends at the home of Phil and Barbara Mitchell of Cullman.

An around-the-pool barbecue was hosted by family at the home of Jimmy and Donna Hutchens of Cullman, aunt and uncle of the bride.

A bridal tea was hosted by friends of the bride at Christ Covenant Presbyterian Church.

A bachelorette party was hosted by Kristen Sornsin in Mobile.

A bridesmaids brunch, hosted by Pam Young and Kristen Sornsin, was held at Olexa’s Café in Mountain Brook.

The rehearsal dinner was hosted by Sonny and Dessie Brown, grandparents of the bride, at their home. The wedding party and invited guests enjoyed a Cajun Shrimp Boil while listening to Cajun Zydeco music around the pool.