SARAH KATLYN STRACENER THOMAS LYNN KENNEDY JR.
Sarah Katlyn Stracener, who goes by Katy, became the bride of Thomas Lynn Kennedy Jr., who goes by Tommy, at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 7, in First Baptist Church in Benton. Eric Schick officiated.
The bride is the daughter of Cindy and Doug Stracener of Benton. Her grandparents are Jim and the late Barbara Martin and Ronnie and Richard Stracener, all also of Benton.
Parents of the groom are Cristie Kennedy of Oklahoma City and Tracie and Tom Kennedy of Benton. He is the grandson of Barbara Thurber of North Little Rock, Mary and Larry Little of Little Rock and Katherine and Carl Phillips of Santa Maria, Calif.
Vows were exchanged in front of a cross draped in white hydrangeas, ranunculus, roses and tulle. Music was by organist Norma Bridges, pianist Diana Lewis and vocalist Kara Claybrook.
The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a chapel-length gown of organza and Parisian lace embellished at the waist with a beaded belt. Pearls and sequin-beaded lace edged her veil. She carried a bouquet of anemones, white ranunculus, ivory and blush garden roses and pink peonies along with a remembrance locket of her maternal grandmother.
Maid of honor was Laura Beth Kordsmeier of Maumelle. Bridesmaids were Elizabeth Brady of Conway; Hannah Johnson of Fayetteville; Lara Johnson of Fort Smith; Loryn Kelley of Mount Juliet, Tenn., cousin of the bride; Mary Richmond and Michelle Kennedy, sister of the groom, both of Little Rock; and Kristin Rhodes of Benton. They wore steel-colored crinkle chiffon gowns and carried smaller versions of the bridal bouquet. Flower girl was Sloane Gunnels of Little Rock, cousin of the groom.
Andrew Reynolds of Maumelle was best man. Groomsmen were J.B. Blackwood of Marion; Chase Clemons of Stuttgart; Blake Kennedy, brother of the groom, and Bret Stracener, brother of the bride, both of Benton; Blake Ratliff, Patrick Davis and Scotty Threlkeld, all of Little Rock. Guests were seated by Jonathan Braune of Conway, Lance Norsworthy of England, Seul-Ho Park of Los Angeles, Keagan Smith of Gulfport, Miss., and Zach White of Benton, cousin of the bride.
A reception at the Junior League of Little Rock Building followed the ceremony. Guest tables covered with cream and navy cloths were centered with antique urns and candlesticks that held bouquets of white hydrangeas, blush roses and peonies.
The bride is a graduate of the University of Central Arkansas in Conway with a bachelor’s degree in nutrition and dietetics. She received a post-baccalaureate certificate in medical nutrition therapy and management in dietetics practice from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and is a registered dietitian at UAMS.
The groom has a bachelor’s degree in biology from UCA and is a medical student at UAMS.
After a wedding trip to Mexico, the couple will live in Maumelle.