Ashley Nicole Gray of Davis and Rylan Alexander Jones of Kinston were united in marriage at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25, 2012, at the Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach. The Rev. Ben Miller officiated the ceremony.
Escorted by her father and grandfather and given in marriage by her family, the bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Gray of Cedar Island and Lisa Willis of Davis. She is the granddaughter of Weston Willis also of Davis.
A 2011 graduate of N.C. State University with a Bachelor of Arts in applied psychology, she is an Emergency Medical Technician with Crystal Coast Medical Transport.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Jones of Kinston. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Edward Carter, the late Mr. and Mrs. Thural Heath, and the late Willard A. Jones.
A 2008 graduate of Emmanuel College in Franklin Springs, Ga., with a Bachelor of Science in Christian ministries, he is student pastor at Kinston First Pentecostal Holiness Church.
Following a wedding cruise to the Western Caribbean, the couple resides in Kinston.
The bride wore a diamond white fit and flare gown with a sweetheart neckline. The ruched bodice with dropped waist was adorned with vintage inspired flowers. The back featured satin covered buttons and a chapel-length train. Her elbow-length veil was trimmed in satin. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of coral carnations wrapped in white satin with a navy monogrammed J.
Katlyn Gillikin of Otway was maid of honor.
Bridesmaids were Lindsay Fields of Concord; the bride’s sister, Lauren Gray of Cedar Island; Farrah Griffin of Beaufort; Shannon Mason of Otway; and Becky Murphy of Cedar Island.
Flowers girls were Julianna Johnson of Johnson City, Tenn.; the groom’s nieces, Claire Jones and Katelyn Jones of Murfreesboro; and Emma Styron of Otway.
The groom’s father served as his son’s best man.
The groom’s escort was his sister, Miranda Jones of Kinston.
Groomsmen were the groom’s cousin, Andrew Alphin of Wilson; the bride’s brother, Blake Gray of Cedar Island; the Rev. Luke Jenkins of Raleigh; the groom’s brother, Jonathan Jones of Murfreesboro; and Ben Sturkie of Columbia, S.C.
Ushers were Spencer Hubbard of Falcon, Blair Willis of Beaufort, and Caleb Willis of Sea Level.
Ringer Bearer was Brantley Mason of Otway.
Lantern carrier was Kristen Styron; Captain of the Boat was Anthony Johnson; and Cutie with the Sign was Jacob Johnson.
Wedding music was provided by guitarist and vocalist Andrew Alphin, and soloists Melodie Parnell and Katie Smith.
The wedding was directed by Tammy Roys. Register attendant was Elizabeth Griffin of Beaufort. Program attendants were Laura Frisbee and Erin Rose.
Reception/parties
Following the ceremony, the families of the bride and groom hosted a reception at the Coral Bay Club in Atlantic Beach.
On April 7, an engagement party was given by Mr. and Mrs. Gary A. Jones at their home.
On June 2, a bridal shower was given by friends of Kinston First P.H. Church at the church in Kinston.
On June 30, a wedding shower was given by friends at Smyrna P.H. Church in Smyrna.
On July 14, a wedding shower was given by Kim Gray and Wanda Styron at Cedar Island United Methodist Church.
On Aug. 24, a bridal brunch was given by Kathy Gillikin and Katlyn Gillikin at their home in Otway. That evening, the parents of the groom hosted a rehearsal dinner at the Smyrna P.H. Church Fellowship Hall.