Jennifer Leigh Pilgrim and U.S. Army Specialist Christopher Michael Cox were married at 5 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, in the Chapel at Berry College in Rome.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Pilgrim of Rome. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Terhune Jr. of Rome and the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pilgrim.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Michael Cox of Leesburg. He is the grandson of Adele Cox of Albany, the late Jack Cox and the late Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Edwards.
Frank Wood of Rome performed the double-ring ceremony. An arrangement of fall flowers centered the altar between lighted candelabras. The altar also featured a unity candle decorated with fall foliage and satin ribbon. Family pews were marked with an arrangement of hydrangea, satin ribbon and greenery. Windows in the chapel contained lighted lanterns surrounded by greenery and fall foliage.
A program of wedding music was provided by violinist Abigail Lee; pianist Josiah Lee; guitarist Denaye Lee; vocalists Julianne Evelti and Bryon and Kera Lee. Selections included “This Day,” “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” “Canon in D,” “Wedding March,” “The Prayer,” “Holy Ground” and “Surely the Presence.”
Jillian Pilgrim of Rome was the maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Lindsay Edwards of Monroe, Amanda Lewis of Cornelia, Katie Plummer of Cedar Bluff, Ala., Haley Shore of Cedartown, Staci Sullins of Rome, Stacie Givens of Loxahatchee, Fla., and Rachel Cox, sister of the groom. They wore formal two-piece gowns of vintage merlot taffeta featuring strapless, sweetheart bodices enhanced with asymmetrical pleating. The slim A-line skirts were accented with matching waist tie sashes. They also wore pearl earrings and necklaces, gifts from the bride. The bridesmaids carried hand-tied bouquets of gerber daisies, alstroemeria and berries.
The flower girls were Alex and Laramie Lanier, both of Rome. They wore tea-length gowns of ivory lace accented at the waistline with vintage merlot satin sashes. They carried pumpkin baskets filled with autumn leaves.
The bride, given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, wore a formal gown of ivory Italian satin. The strapless, sweetheart neckline featured alencon lace accentuated with pearls and iridescent sequins. The Basque bodice accented the waistline with inverted pleats which flowed into the full ballgown skirt. The cathedral-length train was adorned around the bottom with alencon lace and bands of scalloped satin. She wore a veil featuring two-tiers of ivory illusion with scalloped pearl edging. The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet of mango calla lilies, gerber daisies, roses, and berries. She also carried a Bible that was carried by her maternal grandmother on her wedding day.
The father of the groom and James Cox, brother of the groom, were the best men. Groomsmen were Jon Cox, brother of the groom, Jesse Lewis of Cornelia, Zack Watson and Garrett Cude, both of Fort Campbell, Ky., Josh Pilgrim and Jacob Pilgrim, both brothers of the bride.
Ushers were Jason Phothisen, Michael Stevens, Michael Feher, and David Gudmunson, all of Fort Campbell.
The ring bearers were Caleb and Eli Baldwin of Rome.
The mother of the bride wore a formal gown of rose taffeta. The sleeveless gown featured a criss-crossed portrait collar that flowed into the ruched bodice and long flowing A-line skirt. The mother of the groom wore a floor-length two-piece gown featuring a pleated tank bodice with a charmeuse skirt. The mocha colored gown featured a pleated jacked adorned with jewels. Each mother carried a hand-tied miniature bouquet of white calla lilies and roses. The grandmothers were presented with corsages of white calla lilies.
Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the Rome Civic Center. Refreshments included the bride’s four-tier cream cheese frosted cake featuring layers of chocolate, red velvet and white cake. The cake was accented with assorted fall decorations featured under a lighted gazebo. The groom’s brownie cake was decorated with the U.S. Army emblem and was accompanied by chocolate chip cookies, chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate covered pretzels.
The evening before the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Plantation at Horseleg Creek in Rome.
Other pre-nuptial parties included a miscellaneous shower hosted by the Joy Sunday School class at Calvary Baptist Church in Rome; a miscellaneous shower hosted by Pleasant Valley South Baptist Church; a miscellaneous shower hosted by Sheree Shore and Nan Compton at the bride’s grandparents home in Rome; a lingerie and bridal shower hosted by Staci Sullins at her home in Rome; a bridesmaid’s tea hosted by the mother of the bride at the Victorian Rose Tea Room in Rome and a bridal luncheon the day of the wedding hosted by Judy LeRoy and Sharon Sullins at the Berry College Cottages.
After a wedding trip to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the couple will reside in Colorado Springs, Colo.
