Karen Spence Benton of La Grange and Preston Lee Vernon of Goldsboro were united in marriage at 4 p.m. May 4, 2013, at Daniel’s Memorial United Methodist Church in Goldsboro. The Rev. Larry Massey was the officiating minister.
Escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents, the bride is the daughter of Kenneth Ronald Benton and Terry Spence Benton of La Grange. She is the granddaughter of Virginia Benton of La Grange and the late Harold Benton, and Mary Spence of Kinston and the late Carroll Spence.
Enrolled in graduate school at ECU to become an adult nurse practitioner, she is a registered nurse at Wayne Memorial Hospital.
The groom is the son of Ronnie Lee Vernon and Tracy Lynn Vernon of Pikeville. He is the grandson of Earl and Sarah Jones of Pikeville, and the late Raymond and Carrie Nichols, who also lived in Pikeville.
A graduate of Wayne Community College, he is a HVAC technician with Wayne Memorial Hospital.
Following a wedding trip to Secrets Silversands in Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple resides in Goldsboro.
The bride wore a strapless, sweetheart neckline gown of lustrous ivory satin featuring a ruched bodice. A fully beaded belt accented the natural waistline. Satin covered buttons flowed into a chapel-length train. Her one-tier fingertip tulle illusion veil was decorated with crystals, rhinestones, silver bugles and pearls.
She wore a headband of rhinestones and crystals. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of white mini calla lilies, coral gerbera daisies, green hypericum berries and green dianthus.
Matrons of honor were Brittany Vinson Jones of Goldsboro, cousin of the bride, and Megan Matthews Kornegay of Calypso.
Bridesmaids were Caroline Spence Belmore of Jacksonville, cousin of the bride; Meagan Jackson Bourgeois of Goldsboro; Morgan Parks Jackson of Mount Olive; Courtney Elizabeth Spence of Kinston, cousin of the bride; and the groom’s sister, Hannah Elizabeth Vernon of Pikeville.
The groom’s father served as his son’s best man.
Groomsmen were David Spence Benton of Greenville, brother of the bride; Joshua Matthew Carter of Goldsboro; Felix Harold Jones of Eureka; Hunter Elliot Jones of Pikeville, cousin of the groom; Edward Alex Raper of Fremont; and Jeremiah David Newsome of Goldsboro.
Wedding music was provided by Rich Holder, pianist, and Blake Holder and Majesty York, vocalists.
The wedding was directed by Karen Rains. Register attendant was Courtney Chewning Keesee. Program attendants were Erinn Marie Latta and Jessica McCullen Misenhelder.
Reception/parties
Following the ceremony, the bride’s parents hosted a reception at Walnut Creek County Club. Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Vinson greeted guests.
Pre-wedding events included a miscellaneous shower at Daniel’s Memorial United Methodist Church, given by the Friendship Circle and church family; a miscellaneous shower at Bethel Church of Goldsboro, given by friends and family of the groom; a miscellaneous shower at Bethel Free Will Baptist Church in Kinston, given by family of the bride; a brunch given by Julie Jackson and Meagan Bourgeois; a bachelorette weekend at Bayside Shores in Chocowinity, hosted by Megan Kornegay, Morgan Jackson and Erinn Latta; a bachelor’s cookout given by David Benton; a bridesmaids’ brunch given by Marie Benton, Brittany Jones and Beverly Vinson; and the rehearsal dinner hosted by the groom’s parents at Daniels Memorial United Methodist Church.