The Sanctuary of First Baptist Church of Franklinton was the setting for the wedding nuptials of Miss Kennedy Noelle McElveen and Mr. Alexander O'Neil Kennedy. The ceremony was held at six o'clock in the evening on Saturday, May 11th, 2024. The bride wore a custom Jasmine Couture gown of Mikado satin, featuring a detachable cathedral train accented with satin covered buttons and a bow. She carried a bouquet composed of light blue hydrangeas and white peonies, tied in a light blue sash made from her first Easter dress, from it hung a locket with pictures of her late grandfather Mr. Ted McElveen and her late cousin Joshua Chautin. She wore her mother's veil.
Miss McElveen was attended by her maid-of-honor Emma Knight and bridesmaids, Emily Ezell, Haley McElveen, Rachel Creel, and Madeleine Burris, all attired in sky blue carrying bouquets of navy and white tied in white sashes featuring the couple's wedding crest. Mr. Kennedy was attended by his best man Joe Magee and groomsmen Spencer Lambert, Jasper LaSalle, Noah Breland, and Colton Sanders. Ushers for the ceremony were brothers of the bride and groom Gentry McElveen and Vince Norman. The groomsmen were attired in navy evening suits and wore complementary pocket-square boutonnieres.
The ceremony began as grandparents, parents, and the bridal party took their places as soloist and local recording artist Claire Kellar sang Lauren Daigle's "Love Like This." The bride was escorted by her father. Pianist Sonya Burris opened the bridal march with Pachelbel's Canon in D as guests turned their attention to the closed doors and transitioned to "You Are My Sunshine" as the pair began their walk down the aisle. The ceremony was performed by the bride's brother Rev. Mack McElveen. The couple celebrated their unity through the observance of the Lord's Supper with the bridal party and those in attendance. Miss Claire Kellar sang "Goodness of God" as the elements were distributed. Following the exchange of vows and rings, the newlyweds exited the church to "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" and the pealing of the church bells.
The bride's parents hosted a reception of dinner and dancing for family and friends following the ceremony at Washington Parish's newest wedding venue The Willows. Mrs. Toni Tageant acted as wedding coordinator.
On the evening before the wedding, a dinner to celebrate the couple was hosted by the groom's parents at Café Bouchee'.
The bride is a dental assistant at Cornerstone Denistry in Mandeville. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen McElveen. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kelvin McDaniel and Mrs. Kathy McElveen. The groom is a dispatcher for the Washington Parish Sheriff's Office. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Kennedy and the grandson of Mrs. Wathenia McCauley and Mr. Charles Kennedy. Both the bride and groom are graduates of Franklinton High School.
Following a wedding trip to the Dominican Republic, the couple will make their home in Stoney Point.
