Elizabeth Leigh Akridge and Matthew Todd Hart were united in marriage on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon in a ceremony held in the Goldenrod Room at Guntersville State Park Lodge in Guntersville, Alabama.

The bride is the daughter of Roger and Wanza Akridge of Cullman. She is the granddaughter of the late Melvin and Juanita Bishop of Boaz, Alabama, and the late L.D. and LaRue Akridge of Boaz, Alabama.

The groom is the son of Robert and Gloria Hart of Weaver, Alabama. He is the grandson of Janet Hart.

Brother Harold Payne officiated the double-ring ceremony. Jeanne Earwood sang “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” during the seating of the mothers. Following the seating of the mothers, Pastor Nathan Glenn, brother of the groom, provided an acknowledgment of the bride and groom. The traditional wedding march was provided for the entrance of the bride. The bride was escorted down the aisle by her father and given in marriage by her parents. Following the exchange of vows and rings, a unity sand ceremony took place. While the bride and groom were exiting the ceremony, Jeanne Earwood sang “Where Do I Begin?”

The maid of honor was Ava Akridge, niece of the bride. The bridesmaids were Holly Wilder, friend of the bride, and Andrea Rhoades, sister of the groom. The flower girl was Nora Burks.

Robert Hart, father of the groom, was the best man. The groomsmen were Matthew Akridge, brother of the bride, and Cole Akridge, nephew of the bride. The ring bearer was Ethan Watter.

The bride chose a formal strapless Casablanca gown from the Something Blue Shoppe in Hartselle, Alabama. The gown consisted of ivory duchess satin and featured an intricately beaded molded bodice that extended to a Basque waistline. A soft A-line skirt was fashioned with an inverted front pleat and swept to a cathedral train. Her Barcelona styled cathedral veil was bordered in silver bugle beads. She wore crystal-studded ivory wedges from David’s Bridal during the ceremony and switched to sequined “I Do” Uggs for the reception. She finished her ensemble with a crystal bow headband for her something new, a blue necklace and earrings for her something blue, and her mother’s wedding and engagement rings for her something borrowed. For her something old, she borrowed a cake knife from Anna Moore. Her bouquet consisted of pink peonies and white roses with a touch of greenery and Christmas accents. The flowers were from Fairview Florist in Cullman.

The bridesmaids wore ballerina pink peau de soie dresses by Alfred Sung. The bridesmaid dresses were one-shoulder cocktail-length with a matching belt at the waist. The maid of honor wore a matching full-length dress with a jewel neckline. All wore pearl jewelry, which was a gift from the bride. Their dresses were from the Something Blue Shoppe. Pink sparkle Toms were the shoes worn by the bridesmaids and maid of honor. The flower girl wore a pink tutu Minnie Mouse dress with pink sparkle shoes.

The groomsmen wore black tuxes with black shirts and pink ties from Mr. Hicks’ Mens Wear in Cullman.

A reception, catered by the Lodge staff, followed the ceremony. The ceremony and reception were Disney and winter themed. The flowers for the ceremony and reception were provided by Fairview Florist in Cullman. The Lodge provided a Christmas tree and wreath as decoration. The Goldenrod Room provided a beautiful lake view for the ceremony and reception. The bridal cake was from the Albertville Home Bakery in Albertville, Alabama. This was the bakery that provided the bride’s parents’ wedding cake 43 years earlier. The strawberry cake had white and pink icing with icing pearls and a Lenox Mickey and Minnie cake topper. The groom’s red velvet cake was Atlanta Braves themed and provided by a co-worker of the groom. The guest book attendant was Briana Rhoades, niece of the groom. The wedding planner was Anna Moore. Margaret Weathers assisted the planner on the day of the wedding. Amanda House of Hartselle, Alabama was the wedding photographer.

The rehearsal dinner was provided by the groom’s parents and took place at the Guntersville State Park Lodge the night before the ceremony.

Elizabeth was honored with a shower given at the home of Anna Moore in early December 2012. Evelyn Gully, Mary Lou Schlosser, and Schlosser Michelle assisted.

Matt and Elizabeth honeymooned at Edisto Island near Charleston, South Carolina. They now reside in Cullman.