Lori Elizabeth Lawson and Hezekiah Poag III, both of Greensboro, were united in marriage at 4 p.m. June 8, 2013, at Jumping Run Church in La Grange.
The bride’s father, the Rev. W. Anthony Lawson Jr. of Kinston, and the Rev. Otis Lockett Jr. of Greensboro performed the ceremony.
Escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents, the bride is the daughter of the Revs. W. Anthony and Della Lawson of Kinston.
She is the granddaughter of William “Bill” and Bonnie Lawson of Kinston, and the Revs. Booker T. and Mary Wiggins, also of Kinston.
A graduate of Kinston High School and Winston-Salem State University, the bride works in the marketing department at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.
The groom is the son of Hezekiah and the Rev. Valerie Poag of Mocksville. He is the grandson of Inez Mayfield of Mocksville.
A graduate of Salisbury High School and Livingstone College, he is employed by the Dollar General Corporation as general manager in Greensboro.
Following a wedding trip to St. Maarten in the Dutch Caribbean, the couple resides in Greensboro.
The bride wore a fitted Ivory Bordeaux taffeta A-line style gown with a flare tank. The bodice was highlighted with flowers across the shoulder featuring Swarovski crystals flowing into a V-neckline and asymmetrical ruching with a corset back closure.
The skirt was heavily embellished with beaded lace appliqués over French tulle net and finished with a scalloped hemline and cathedral-length train.
Her cathedral-length veil of sheer ivory illusion was accented with crystals and beaded pearls that formed a border along the edge.
She carried a bouquet of clustered mauve and pink roses and hydrangea, with cascading white phalaenopsis orchids, along with vintage accents of pearls and lace details, and a brooch.
Maid of honor was Ashelon Austin of Charlotte.
Matron of honor was Jennifer Bynum Lawson of Greenville, sister-in-law of the bride.
Bridesmaids were Zsaquita Poag of Salisbury, sister of the groom; Tiffany Cash of Bowie, Md.; Kristen Cheatwood and Kristi Shivers, both of Atlanta; Alana McCarter of Winston-Salem; and Erica Dunn, Fawn Holmes and Alita Sharp, all of Charlotte.
Rachel Westmoreland of Greensboro was the lady in waiting.
Flower girl was Kalyce Harris of Bowie, Md.
Thomas Rippy of Jacksonville, Fla., served as best man.
Groomsmen were Patrick Paog of Salisbury, brother of the groom; William Anthony Lawson III of Greenville, brother of the bride; Jerome Blakeney and Gavin Folks, both of Salisbury; Tramarcus Miller of Raleigh, cousin of the bride; and Antwon Blakeney, Damien Clark, James Ellis and William Wynn, all of Greensboro.
Ushers were Michael Lewis of Greensboro and Anton Taft of Whitsett.
The bride’s cousin, Christian Wiggins of Kinston, was ring bearer.
Musicians were Ben Johnson of Goldsboro and the Rev. Thurmond Sheppard Jr. of La Grange, organists; Udeshi Hargett of Wilson, violinist; and Rob Probst of Clayton, trumpeter. Vocalists were Darlene Wiggins Dockery and Claudia Dockery of Newport News, Va.; Myranda Dorsey of High Point; Kwinetta Murray of Charlotte; and Michael Lewis Jr. of Greensboro.
The wedding was directed by Bonnie Lawson, assisted by Dorcas Green and Palmer Dixon, all of Kinston.
Register and program attendants were Claudia Dockery of Newport News, Va.; LaShayna Clemmons of Durham; and Brittany Williams of Greensboro.
Hostesses were Nikki Fisher of Kinston; Rhonda King of La Grange; Jonelle Stovall of Goldsboro; Sharon Jackson of Raleigh; Kwinetta Murray of Charlotte; Samantha Huffman of Wilmington; and Tamaya Franks, Yolanda Harris, Brittany Allen and Sabreen Mutually, all of Greensboro.
Reception/parties
Following the ceremony, a reception was given by the bride’s parents at the Hilton Ballroom in Greenville. The reception coordinator was Regina Harvey of Wilson.
Reception greeters were Samantha Huffman and Brittany Allen. Guests were entertained by Udeshi Hargett, violinist, during the social hour. The Miller Group featuring Brian Miller of Durham entertained during the reception and dinner hour.
On Oct. 6, an engagement party was held for the couple in the Schiffman’s Club at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.
On April 27, a kitchen shower for the bride was held at The Folded Napkin in Kinston and hosted by Jimmette Graham, Paula Melvin, Denderant Burney and Sarone Cannon.
On May 11, a miscellaneous bridal shower hosted by Tessie Wiggins Yost, Darlene Dockery, Jennifer Lawson, Priscilla Wiggins, Dorcas Green, Palmer Dixon, Phyllis McCoy and Marcellette Williams was held at Select Food Service in Kinston.
On May 17, a shower was given to the bride and groom by the bride’s co-workers and office staff in the Ovation’s Lounge at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.
On May 18, Ashelon Austin and the bridesmaids hosted a shower for the bride at the Tasting Station in Greensboro. A “bacheLORIette” night was hosted by the bridesmaids that evening, also in Greensboro.
On June 7, a rehearsal dinner was given by the groom’s parents in the Jumping Run Church multi-purpose room in La Grange.