Miss Mary Bell Browning weds Captain Gregory Sayre Clement

Miss Mary Bell Browning and Captain Gregory Sayre Clement, USMC, were united in marriage on Saturday, August 13, 2016 at seven o’clock in the evening at Monte Muffiano, the bride’s family home in Cignano, Italy. The double ring ceremony was officiated by Kenneth Dodd of San Diego, California.

Music for the ceremony was provided by Firenzeclassica and soloist Alessandro Lollobrigida. A seated dinner reception immediately followed at Monte Muffiano with entertainment provided by The Sensation Band of London, England. On Thursday evening, the parents of the groom hosted a Rehearsal Dinner at Chiostro Sant’Agostino in Cortona, Italy followed by a party hosted by the bride’s parents in the courtyard of Museo dell’Accademia Etrusca. On the eve of the wedding, friends of the bride’s and groom’s families hosted a Cena e Ballo party at Villa Passerini in Pergo, outside of Cortona.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Elkins Browning of London, England. She is the granddaughter of Mr. Eugene Alston Smitherman and the late Mrs. Eugene Alston Smitherman of Houston, Texas and the late Mr. and Mrs. William Ernest Browning of Yoakum and San Antonio, Texas.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Higbie Clement, Jr. of Dallas, Texas. He is the grandson of Mrs. George Beggs, III and the late Mr. George Beggs, III of Fort Worth and the late Mr. and Mrs. James Higbie Clement, Sr. of Kingsville, Texas.

Escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore a chapel length, off the shoulder, long sleeved gown of ivory re-embroidered French lace over off-white satin, with a fitted bodice and full A-line hem. Her veil was made of silk illusion, trimmed with ivory silk ribbon extending to the edge of her train. The bride carried a loose bouquet of open pink and orange roses and local Tuscan flowers.

The bridesmaids wore ivory floor length sleeveless gowns with a bateau neckline, embellished with petite flowers in colors of coral, light pink and fuchsia with beaded centers and olive and kelly green leaves, applied to have a cascade effect.

Serving as maid of honor was the bride’s sister Ina Scott Browning of New York, New York. Bridesmaids were Kathleen Cox Best, Margaux Taylor Dastugue, Madeleine Louise Gardner, Grace Hobby Grundy, Natalie Ann Mencio, Anouk Annabelle Carlotta Alesia Morell-Cole, Margaret Bailey Nexsen, Capera Beggs Clement Norinsky, Molly Elizabeth Osborne, Allegra Elizabeth McCarthy Pitt, Mary Miller Van Meter, Christiana Grace White and Leah Walker Wilson. House Party included Catherine Metcalfe Bakewell, Ramsey Katherine Carter, Anne Elizabeth Daugherty, Gracey Winters Howey, Mary Hamilton Nesbitt, Kathleen Blue Pugh and Meaghan Catherine Quindlen.

The groom’s brother, Captain James Higbie Clement, III, USMC, of Kingsville, Texas, served as best man. Groomsmen were Captain Daniel James Bono, USMC; Harrison Clement Carrington, Adrian Rahm Carrington, Perry Clement Finger, Captain Jacob Ryan Hempen, USMC; Lieutenant Jeffrey Stuart Martin, USN; Cameron Dixon Miller, Igor Borisovich Norinsky, James Higbie Clement Steen and Lieutenant Richard Alan Tiberio, Jr., USN. Serving as Ushers were Joseph Malcolm Harris and Drew Alan Ratner. Serving as Swordsmen were Captain Daniel James Bono, USMC; Captain James Higbie Clement, III, USMC; Captain Jacob Ryan Hempen, USMC; Lieutenant Jeffrey Stuart Martin, USN; Lieutenant Christopher Joseph Petkas and Lieutenant Richard Alan Tiberio, Jr., USN.

Mary Bell attended St. Paul’s Girls’ School in London, England. She graduated with distinction from University of Virginia in 2012 with a degree in art history and is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Currently Mary Bell is a marketing director in the tech industry.

Gregory graduated from Episcopal School of Dallas in 2004. He is a 2008 graduate of the United State Naval Academy where he received a degree in weapons and systems engineering. Gregory is currently a Marine F/A18 pilot with VMFA-323.

Following their honeymoon in Europe, the couple will reside in San Diego, California.