Pope, Thompson exchange vows

Sunday, November 6, 2005

Special to the Herald

Saturday, July 23, 2005, Sara Ann Pope, daughter of Rodney Pope of Nevada and Cathy Haynes of Rolla, became the bride of James "JD" David Thompson, son of Trina and David Arikian of Edgar Springs, Mo., and James L Thompson of Newburg, Mo., at the First Christian Church of Newburg.

Grandparents of the bride are Leonard and Bonnie Pope of Moundville, Mo., and Gene and Shelia Mitts of Nevada, Mo. The groom is the grandson of David and Myrna Friend of Edgar Springs, James M. Thompson of Newburg and Carolyn Martin of Doolittle, Mo.

Bill Towns, pastor of the First Christian Church of Newburg, solemnized the vows of the double-ring ceremony. Pastor Tom Haynes of Nevada performed a wedding prayer before the bride was given away and pastor Wayne Robbins of Edgar Springs performed a wedding prayer before announcing the newlyweds as Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.

The unity candle table was decorated in fabric and tulle in the bridal colors of red and yellow, along with greenery. The altar was also decorated with arrangements of red roses. The church windows were decorated with glass candle holders and ivy given to the couple as a gift from a friend. Church pews were decorated with sprays of red and yellow tulle and greenery.

Guest book attendant was the future sister-in-law of the bride, Jamie Englebrecht, sister of the groom. Gift attendant was Jodi Elder of Newburg, sister of the groom. George Robbins of Edgar Springs, Mo., friend of the groom, performed "I Cross My Heart."

Given in marriage by her parents, the bride was escorted by her father. She wore a Da Vinci strapless ball gown made of satin and tulle with a sweetheart neckline and a basque waist decorated with sequins and silver beading. Her cathedral-length veil was secured by a tiara of silver crystals. She carried a red and yellow rose bouquet. Her jewelry included a silver necklace and earrings.

Attending her sister as matron of honor was Amanda Davis of Williamsburg, Kan. Randi Pope of Joplin, sister of the bride, and Kelli Cooper of Nevada, a friend of the bride, served as bridesmaids. The bridesmaids' dresses were made by Sheila Mitts, grandmother of the bride. The attendants carried red and yellow roses with greenery.

Kaylee Davis, of Williamsburg Kan., and niece of the bride, served as flower girl. Trenton Lukenbill of Nevada served as ring bearer.

Best man was Dustin Friend of Newburg, Mo., cousin of the groom. Dusty Englebrecht brother-in-law of the groom, and Ryan Mohr, best friend of the groom, both of Doolittle, Mo., were groomsmen. All of the men wore charcoal suits with silver ties and white shirts. The groom and father of the bride wore red boutonnieres and the groomsmen wore yellow boutonnieres.

Josh Arikian, brother of the groom, and Gavin Otte, cousin of the groom, seated guests.

For her daughter's wedding, Cathy Haynes wore a red suit and the groom's mother, Trina Arikian, wore a red knee-length dress.

The wedding reception was held at the church. The three-tiered cake with fountain was made by Linda Robb, a friend of the groom, as a gift to the couple. Following the bride's chosen colors, the cake was decorated with red and yellow rose petals and featured a red fountain. The groom's cake was decorated as a chocolate Cardinals baseball. Reception tables were decorated with silver candelabras and red and yellow satin fabric. A pool party and barbecue followed at the home of the bride's mother, Cathy Haynes. Following the Barbecue, the bride and groom opened their gifts in front of their guests.

The couple now resides in Newburg, Mo.