LITTLE ROCK — Suzanne Marie Elser became the bride of John Ward Pennington at noon Saturday, Sept. 29, in Our Lady of the Holy Souls Catholic Church. Officiating was the Rev. William Elser of St. Francis of Assisi in Fairfield Bay, a distant cousin of the bride.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Eugene Elser, 3 Baronne Court, are the parents of the bride. She is the granddaughter of Ernie D. Tabor of Little Rock, the late Martha Maley Tabor, and Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence J. Elser of Barling.
The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Gail Pennington of Newport. He is the grandson of Wardell Pennington, also of Newport, the late Mrs. Pennington, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Bo Simmons of West Helena.
An arrangement of rust freesia, burgundy hydrangeas, Leo roses and fall alstroemeria lilies were placed at the lectern in memory of deceased grandparents and great-grandparents. Music was by organist Phil Bordeleau and cantor Rose Marie Peckham.
Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore an ivory empress satin gown. The pleated bodice had a V-neckline and dropped waist. The semi-chapel-length train extended from two pleats at the back of the A-line skirt. Her ivory illusion veil had a corded edge. She carried abouquet of white hydrangeas, miniature calla lilies, Amelia roses and freesia.
Mrs. Josh O'Neal of Baton Rouge was matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Cassie Brantley and Amanda Morrison, both of Fayetteville.
They wore strapless dresses of espresso nu-georgette sashed with champagne matte-satin. They carried nosegays of freesia, hypericum, roses and alstroemeria lilies.
Best man was Andrew Ben Foster III of Fayetteville. Groomsmen were Marsh Daniel and Justus Moll, both of Fayetteville. Ushers were Luke Briggs of Fayetteville; Blake Coe of Jonesboro; William Elser of Houston, brother of the bride; and Frank Mullens of Hoover, Ala.
A reception at Pleasant Valley Country Club followed the ceremony. Guest tables held arrangements of ivy and fall-colored flowers. Music was by Twosome Trio of Springdale. Assisting were Michelle Brand of Fayetteville, Kristin Brown of St. Louis, Lauren Elser of FortSmith and Heather Mullens of Hoover.
The bride has a bachelor's degree in food science from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and an associate of culinary arts from the Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago - Le Cordon Bleu. She is a food technologist in product development for SimmonsFoods Inc. in Siloam Springs.
The bridegroom has a bachelor's degree in English from the university. He is an account executive for GDH Consulting in Lowell.
After a honeymoon in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the couple will live in Fayetteville.
High Profile, Pages 56 on 10/07/2007