Marilynn Donnett Chapman and Edward Demond Keys, both of Charlotte, were united in marriage at 4:30 p.m. July 27, 2013, at St. Augustus AME Zion Church in Kinston. The Rev. Julian Pridgen and Bishop W. Anthony Lawson Jr. officiated the ceremony.
Escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents, the bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George W. Graham Jr. of Kinston and Mr. and Mrs. James D. Chapman Jr. of Jacksonville, Fla. She is the granddaughter of Marilyn Cogdell of Kinston and the late James L. Cogdell Jr., and the late James and Edna Chapman, who lived in Grifton.
A 1999 graduate of UNC Greensboro with a Bachelor of Science in elementary education, she received a B.S. in counselor education from ECU in 2001. She is a school counselor with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools.
The groom is the son of Veronica Keys of Kinston. He is the grandson of the late Milford Edward Keys and Mary Hazel Keyes, both of whom lived in Kinston.
A 1998 graduate of N.C. State University with a B.S. in materials science and engineering, he is a product engineer with ATI Allvac.
Following a wedding trip to Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, the couple will reside in Charlotte.
The bride wore an ivory Rivini-Rita Vinieris modern modified ball gown with tiers of varied Alençon lace patterns. Textured bands of Fortuny pleated tulle and silk organza separated each tier. A layer of double silk organza and a pleated tulle belt with a hand cut soft organza flower defined the waist.
She wore a custom designed, chapel-length veil by Toni Federici. It featured double swirls of lace from the comb and swirled lace overlapping the gown. She carried a bouquet of white roses, white hydrangeas and freesia accented with hypericum berries wrapped in white satin ribbon and accented with white pearls.
The bride’s sister, Alicia Chapman Hasan of Alpharetta, Ga., was matron of honor.
Bridesmaids were Shanita Brown and Dana Johnson, both of Raleigh; Colena Corbett of Charlotte; the bride’s sister, Brandi Coples of Kinston; Karisha Brown McDaniel of Winston-Salem; Michelle Mobley of Indianapolis.; and the bride’s cousin, Debbie Pearson of Upper Marlboro, Md.
The bride’s godchild, Shandi McDaniel of Winston-Salem, was flower girl.
Gregory Darden Jr. of Patterson, N.J., served as best man.
Groomsmen were Tariq Ali of Alexandria, Va.; LaVaughn Barker of Miami; Michael Barnett of Washington, D.C.; Noah Blair and Scott Blair, both of Indian Trail; Demetrius Carter of Atlanta; the bride’s cousin, Harold Cogdell Jr. of Charlotte; Terrence Dove of Greenville; and Virgil Moore of Lynchburg, Va.
The bride’s nephew, Abdul Majid Karim Hasan III of Alpharetta, Ga., was ring bearer.
Wedding music was provided by Benjamin Johnson, organist; Linda Keys Harris, vocalist; Mary Frances Nowell and Anne Jane Nowell Murray, violinists; and Sanda Hight, cellist.
The wedding was directed by Bonnie D. Lawson, Ruby Bethel and Dorothy McFalls.
Reception/parties
Following the ceremony, a reception at the Greenville Hilton was hosted by Mr. and Mrs. George W. Graham Jr. Directing the reception was Sandy Landis.
On March 23, an engagement party hosted by Shanita Brown and Karisa Brown McDaniel was held in Charlotte.
April 19-22, a bachelor weekend was held in Miami, hosted by LaVaughn Barker.
May 25-28, a bachelorette weekend was held in Montego Bay, Jamaica, hosted by Alicia Chapman Hasan.
On May 26, a lingerie shower was given by friends of the bride in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
On June 1, an around-the-clock bridal shower was given by Denderant Burney, Sarone Cannon, Fay Heath, Della Lawson, Paula Melvin, Hazel Richberg and Barbara Seaforth at The Folded Napkin in Kinston.
On June 22, an alphabet bridal shower at the Kinston home of Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Cochran was hosted by the Jr. Entre Nous Social and Civic Club — Jauan Cochran, Jimmette Graham, LaVerta Gooding, Paula Melvin, Esther Patterson and Denise Thomas.
On June 27, a bachelor party weekend was hosted by Gregory Darden in Las Vegas.
On July 26, a rehearsal dinner was hosted by Veronica Keys and Edward Keys at The Folded Napkin in Kinston.
On July 28, a Sunday brunch was given by Crystal Barnett, Ruby Bethel, Marilyn Cogdell, Dorothy McFalls and Beverly Rountree at The Folded Napkin.