Oakes, Spencer

Ellen Kelsey Oakes and Justin Phillip Spencer were united in marriage in a double-ring ceremony on June 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at the Lakeview Baptist Church in Auburn.  The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Perry L. Oakes of Auburn.  She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. James M. Hayes of Huntsville, and the late Mr. and Mrs. J. Estes Oakes of Sylacauga.  The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Spencer of Auburn.  He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Spencer, Jr. of Auburn, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Phillip King of Dothan.  The Reverend Curtis Black officiated.

A program of nuptial music was presented by Kathy King, pianist; Thomas Ardrey, organist; and Matt McDonald, violinist. Vocalists were Ben Thomas, Cathy Rumsey, and Christen Wright.

The bride was given in marriage by her father, Perry L. Oakes.  The bride processed to “Bridal Chorus” by Wagner and recessed to “Wedding March” by Mendelssohn.

The Matron of Honor was Alison Oakes Baker, sister of the bride of Auburn.  Bridesmaids were: Kadie Denise Crowell, Kathryn Elizabeth Hicks, cousin of the bride; Courtney Elizabeth Nims, Diane Kristine Phelps, Cathy Ann Rumsey, Mary Miller Smith, Jordan Lee Spencer, sister of the groom, all of Auburn; and Jenna Murie Cosgrove Valaer of Gibsonville, North Carolina.

Steve Spencer, father of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen were Christopher Alan Baker, brother-in-law of the groom of Auburn; Christopher Bristow Cravey of Atlanta, GA; Tyler Kimball Hardin of Dacula, Georgia; Scott Craig Mayo of Peachtree City, Georgia; Eron Russell Smith of Auburn, Jeremy Steven Spencer, brother of the groom of Auburn, and Michael Luke Waits of Titus, Alabama.

Kathryn Anne Pittman “Kappy” Eastman of Auburn served as flower girl. Matthew Wayne Tucker, cousin of the bride, from Meridianville, Alabama served as ring bearer. Program attendants were Abby Claire Conner, Emma Caroline Conner, and Charles Phillip Conner, cousins of the groom from Dothan.  Scripture reader was Rachel Anne Lofton of Birmingham.

Following the ceremony, a reception was hosted by the parents at The Hotel at Auburn University.  Music was provided by the band “84 West” of Enterprise.  A candy station display in purple and champagne was designed by John and Kim Baker of Enterprise.

Wedding director was Jacque Middleton.  Reception director was Amanda Zoch. Cake designer was Susan Hoisington of The Gourmet Tiger.  Flowers were designed by Clay Mitchell of the Opelika Floral Company. Tom Causland of Mediassociates of Opelika was the videographer, and Camille Beasley of SCB Photography of Birmingham was the photographer.

After a wedding trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Caribbean, the couple is at home in Auburn until October when the groom will report for pilot training with the United States Air Force at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas.

- An informal engagement gathering for family and the couple’s college friends was held at the groom’s home in Auburn on the night of the engagement, September 8, 2008.

- A Christmas shower was given in Auburn by Sheree Cosgrove and Jenna Cosgrove Valaer at the Cosgrove home on December 14, 2008.

- A Bridal Shower was given by Cathy Rumsey and Diane Phelps on January 3, 2009 at the Parkway Baptist Church. Guests were Auburn High School friends.

- A kitchen and linen shower given by Kim Spencer, Reeder Dulaney, Sis Yarbrough, and Sandra Spencer was held on February 28, 2009 at the home of Kim Spencer.

- A bridal tea was held at the Auburn University Club on March 8, 2009.  Hostesses were Kim Baker, Marsha Baugh, Zona Beaty, Alice Chambliss, Patty Chance, Ellen Donaldson, Debra Fowler, Kathy Hayley, Ginger Hughes, Cheryl Kelly, Charlotte McDaniel, Carol Rumsey, Janice Ryan, Linda Smith, Sonja Taylor, Judy Terrell, and Sheri Todd.

- An “In and Out and Around the House” shower was given by Tom and Gayle Smith, Eron and Mary Smith, and Mike and Ellen Miller on April 4th, 2009 at the Tom Smith home in Auburn for the couple’s Auburn University Singers friends.

- A lingerie shower given by Alison Baker, Diane Phelps, Kadie Crowell, Cathy Rumsey, and Courtney Nims on April 17, 2009 at the Bassett Lodge in Macon County, AL.

- A bridesmaids luncheon and spa day was hosted by Kim Spencer and Sandra Spencer, aunts of the groom, on June 5, 2009 at Spa Auburn.

- A rehearsal dinner at the Saugahatchee Country Club was hosted by the groom’s parents on June 5, 2009.

- Refreshments for the bridal party was provided at the church on the day of the wedding by Denise Nims and Laura Traylor.