Thornton-Westbrook
BENTONVILLE — Emily Bass Westbrook and Loren Keith Thornton exchanged vows in a double-ring ceremony June 16 at 6 p.m. at Ebenezer United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Richard Lewis officiating.
The bride is the daughter of Timothy A. and Debra Bass Westbrook of Four Oaks and the granddaughter of Nellie Thornton Westbrook and the late James Worth Westbrook Sr. of Four Oaks and Estaline Tew and the late Etheridge Waylon Bass of Clinton.
She is a graduate of South Johnston High School and Campbell University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and is pursuing a master’s degree in school counseling at Campbell University. She is employed as a school counselor at Four Oaks Elementary School with Johnston County Schools.
The groom is the son of Keith Thornton and Lark Tart Thornton of Newton Grove and the grandson of the late George Thornton and Nellie Thornton of Four Oaks and Charles Hooper and Shirley Warren Tart of Newton Grove.
He graduated from Hobbton High School and North Carolina State University with a degree in agriculture management with a minor in economics. He is self-employed as a farmer.
The bride was escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents.
She wore a wedding gown of ivory Dupioni silk with a strapless sweetheart neckline, a ruched bodice and an asymmetrical skirt that flowed into a chapel-length train.
Her headpiece was a fingertip veil with an illusion edge and blusher. She also wore white roses and feathers in her hair.
The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet of calla lilies with ivory ribbon.
Jenny Anne Westbrook was her sister’s maid of honor.
Bridesmaids were Cherish and Candice Tart of Newton Grove, Annah Schwartz and Audrey Westbrook of Four Oaks, Sarah Schwartz of Rosewood and Olivia Lewis of Wilmington.
Keith Thornton was his son’s best man.
Groomsmen were Chance and Ariel Thornton and Tripp Tart of Newton Grove, Marshall Thornton of Bentonville, Charlie Warren of Greenville and Daryll Warren of Dunn.
Cecilia Gregory of Lillington directed the wedding. Presiding at the register were Brian and Paula Hunter of Raleigh.
A program of wedding music was provided by Anna Lee Crumpton, harpist; Annette Carroll of Raleigh, pianist; and Steven Langston and Natalie Tart of Newton Grove, vocalists.
Following the ceremony, a backyard reception was held at the home of Worth and Kay Westbrook of Bentonville. A five-tiered wedding cake was served.
After a wedding trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the couple reside in Newton Grove.
Events held before the wedding included a bachelor’s breakfast June 16 hosted by Glenn Tart, uncle of the groom; a postnuptial dinner at a local restaurant hosted by the Bass family; a bachelor weekend in Greenville hosted by the groomsmen; a bachelorette weekend in Wrightsville Beach hosted by the bridesmaids; a bridesmaids’ luncheon hosted by the bride’s aunt and grandmother; a tool shower at the home of the groom’s uncle; a a lingerie shower hosted by family and friends of the bride; a Tew linen shower hosted by family and friends of the bride; a floating shower at Ebenezer hosted by family and friends of the bride; a Christmas shower at the home of the groom’s aunt hosted by family and friends of the groom; a floating shower at the home of Shirley Tart; a Thornton bridal brunch; and an engagement party at Johnston County Country Club hosted by family and friends.
A rehearsal dinner was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Thornton.
By News-Argus Staff
Published in Weddings on July 29, 2007 3:30 AM