Guthrie-Townsend

Saturday, November 28, 2009
Marcia Ellen and Michael David Townsend

Marcia Ellen Guthrie and Michael David Townsend exchanged wedding vows in the First Baptist Church, Nevada, Mo., on May 16, 2009. The 5:30 p.m. ceremony was officiated by Dr. William Cox, amid floral decorations of pink and white peonies, and pink tulips, reflecting the couple's chosen wedding colors. Martha Cubbage, organist, Marsha Hooper, pianist, and Wes Morton, soloist provided musical selections. A wedding reception followed at a tent behind the Guthrie Home, in Nevada. The newlyweds honeymooned in Riviera Maya, Mexico, and are making their home in Overland Park, Kan., where the bride is the distribution manager for Commerce Investment Advisors, and the groom is an attorney for the law firm of Brown and James, P.C.

The bride is the daughter of Mark and Janet Guthrie, of Nevada, Mo., and the granddaughter of Jim and Shirley Guthrie, of Nevada, and Bus and Carol Faith, of Nevada.

The groom is the son of Gary and Yvonne Townsend, of Leawood, Kan., and the grandson of Al and Bonnie Ferbet, of St. Louis, Mo. and Helen Townsend, of St. Louis.

Escorted by her father, Mark Guthrie, the bride wore an ivory duchess satin, drop-waisted ball gown that featured an exaggerated sweetheart neckline, platinum jewel encrusted bodice, gathered bubble hem and soft sweep train. The bridal veil was adorned with sparkling crystals that reflected the light as the bride walked and flowed to just below her waist. She wore jewelry of chandelier earrings and an antique diamond ring that was passed down from her great-grandmother to her aunt and then to her. The bride carried a white bouquet of peonies wrapped with an ivory ribbon and secured with crystals and a crystal broach that belonged to the bride's mother.

Erica Guthrie, sister of the bride, attended the bride as maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Rebecca Estabrook, Tegan Hawks, Lindsey Schlotzhauer, Christine Townsend and Megan Smith. The attendants wore floor-length, strapless gowns of duchess satin, in fuchsia. Each carried bouquets of dark pink tulips, peonies and roses.

Joey Kramer attended the groom as best man. Groomsmen were Jason Piercy, Derek Kautio, Dave Hart, Ross Day and Brad Bauer.

Boutonnieres worn by the wedding party were dark pink roses.

Candlelighters were Sheena Wiyrick and Kelli Graham. Guest attendants were Calvert Collins, Courtney Austin and Sarah Manda. The ceremony reader was Lana Newman, cousin of the bride. The ring bearer was Sam Newman and the flower girl was Olivia Newman, both cousins of the bride.

The bride and groom arrived at the Guthrie home in a 1969 Camaro borrowed from the bride's parents, to begin their evening reception. Classic and fun music played throughout the evening. Floral arrangements, reflecting the bridal colors, included tall vases with clusters of dark pink peonies, roses and tulips, and shorter arrangements of the same flowers and fuchsia candles surrounded by tea lights and dark pink rose petals. On the ceiling was the couples monogram reflected by the lighting in the tent. On the cake table, a crystal monogram topped the six-tiered bridal cake prepared by Michael Turnbull, featuring white butter cream icing, with accents of white frosting around each layer and dark pink roses between the layers. Guests were treated to a signature cocktail, appetizers and a food buffet throughout the evening.

Prior to the wedding ceremony, a rehearsal dinner was held at the Nevada Country Club, and hosted by the groom's parents, Gary and Yvonne Townsend.