LENA ROSE NICOLA KAMIS DEREK ALLEY
Lena Rose Nicola became the bride of Kamis Derek Alley at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, in St. Nicholas Antiochian Orthodox Church in Grand Rapids, Mich. Officiating were the Revs. Daniel Daly of the church and Elias Bitar of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese.
Parents of the bride are Joanne and Nick Nicola of Grand Rapids. She is the granddaughter of Samira and Joseph Ajlouny of Bloomfield, Mich., and the late Rose and Joseph Nicola of Grand Rapids.
The groom is the son of Janet and Sam Alley, 54 Chenal Circle. His grandparents are Nadieh and the late Elia Akel of Jacksonville, Fla., and the late Naimeh and Kamis Alley of Little Rock.
The chancel held two elevated arrangements of white hydrangeas, ivory roses, phalaenopsis orchids, cymbidium orchids, and calla lilies. Music was by chanter Nick Ayoub and harpist Juliana Nahas. Guests were greeted by Halie Nicola and Annie Bashara, both of Grand Rapids and cousins of the bride.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a Vera Wang tulle and organza gown with a dropped-waist bodice and a cathedral train. She carried a bouquet of hydrangeas, roses, orchids and lilies.
Serving as the bride’s honor attendants were Alexandra Nicola and Sonia Nicola, both of Grand Rapids and sisters of the bride. Bridesmaids were Jessica Alley of Dallas and Adrianna Alley of Athens, Ga., sisters of the groom; Janan Sitto and Katrina Dalaly, both of Bloomfield and cousins of the bride; Alissandra Kruer, Emily Brann, Kendall Dolmyer and Alexis Neuman, all of Grand Rapids; and Lauren Nakfoor of Chicago. They wore eggplant-colored chiffon gowns and carried bouquets similar to the bride’s.
Flower girls were Sarina Sitto and Aubree Sitto of West Bloomfield, Mich., and Lillian McClendon of Coppell, Texas. Ring bearers were Luke Alley of Little Rock, godson of the groom; Remy Pilles, godson and cousin of the bride, and Luca Pilles, cousin of the bride, both of Birmingham, Mich.; and Grayson Akel of Apopka, Fla., cousin of the groom.
The groom’s honor attendants were Suril Shah of New York and Brian Alley of Little Rock, cousin of the groom. Groomsmen were Nicholas Nicola of Grand Rapids, brother of the bride; Tyler Alley of Philadelphia, Ryan Issa of Boston, and Jonathan Alley and Rami Alley, both of Little Rock, cousins of the groom; Matt Henry and Jamail Buchanan, both of San Francisco; Eric Poulton of St. Louis; and Brad Kohlmeyer of Denver.
Guests were seated by Pete Borum of New York; Jordan Alley of Apopka, and Grant Alley and Benjamin Alley of Little Rock, cousins of the groom; and Matt Lawrence of Nashville, Tenn.
A reception at Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids followed the ceremony. Guest tables held a variety of centerpieces including elevated cylinder arrangements, square vases with gold manzanita branches and white wedding flowers and tables featuring 10-foot-tall gold curly willow trees with hanging arrangements of orchids, crystals and candles. Music was by Jad’s Entertainment, a six-piece Middle Eastern band, and Tabla drummer Tony Bahu.
The bride is a graduate of Michigan State University and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology specializing in health promotion. She is pursuing a graduate degree.
The groom is a graduate of Stanford University with a bachelor’s degree in management science and engineering. He is senior vice president at VCC Construction.
After a wedding trip to Bora Bora, French Polynesia, the couple will make their home in Dallas.