Shaffer-Duke
Ashley Frances Shaffer of Winterville and Connor Warren Duke of Winterville exchanged vows in a double-ring ceremony April 28, 2012, at 5 p.m. at the Ocean Isle Club in Pine Knoll Shores, with pastor Chris Dunn officiating.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stuart Dudley Ussery of Elm City and the granddaughter of the late Harry Lamar Ussery and Irene Pitts Ussery of Wilson and Leonard Earl Griffin and the late Frances Bridgers Griffin of Elm City.
Mrs. Duke graduated from Wilson Christian Academy in Wilson and East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education. She is employed as a fifth-grade teacher at Eastern Elementary in Greenville with the Pitt County School System.
The groom is the son of retired Col. and Mrs. Charles Gray Duke III of Goldsboro and the grandson of Charles Gray Duke Jr. and Virginia JoAnn Duke of McLeansville and Roland Fredrick Nunnery and the late Elaine Godwin Nunnery of Fayetteville.
Mr. Duke graduated from Tabb High School in Yorktown, Va., and East Carolina University with a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management and architectural design. He is employed as a territory manager with Southeast Industrial Equipment Inc.
The bride was escorted by her father, Mr. Stuart D. Ussery, and given in marriage by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart D. Ussery.
The bride wore a stunning strapless slim-line gown featuring a ruched band and crystal brooch at the natural waistline. The back of the gown was accentuated with a stylish ruffle detail. The gown was completed with a sweep train and a fingertip-length veil with matching crystals along the edge of the veil.
Miss Sheryl Watson was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Dr. Meredith Duke, Miss Kathleen Stroud, Miss Jordan Edwards and Mrs. Heather Hinson.
Mr. Charles G. Duke III served as his son’s best man. Groomsmen were Mr. Chad Duke, brother of the groom, Mr. Ryan Lun, Mr. Michael Hileman and Mr. Andrew Griffin. The usher was Mr. Brett Houghton.
Miss Aubrie Jones was flower girl, and Mr. Charlie Duke and Mr. Hayes Duke were ringbearers.
Mrs. Ashley Houghton distributed programs and was also a reader.
A program of wedding music was provided by Thomas Gamble, pianist.
A dinner and dance was held at the Ocean Isle Club following the ceremony. The reception was hosted by the bride’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Stuart D. Ussery.
A rehearsal dinner was hosted by the groom’s parents, retired Col. and Mrs. Charles G. Duke III, at the North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Friday evening, April 27.
Events held before the wedding included a lingerie shower given by the bridesmaids and hosted by Dr. Meredith Duke March 30; a brunch for the bride’s family in Wilson Feb. 25 hosted by Terry McKeel, Heather Hinson and Jamie Batts; a family shower in Raleigh March 10 hosted by aunts and cousins of the groom; and a miscellaneous shower hosted by the bride’s colleagues at Eastern Elementary in Greenville April 24.
The couple resides in Winterville.
By News-Argus Staff
Published in Weddings on August 5, 2012 1:53 AM