Bride-to-be Meredith Suzanne Gregory and groom-elect Bryant Mark Thomas were honored with an engagement party and shower by the Sikes and Kelly families, including close family friends. A luncheon was held June 23 at Twin Valley Country Club. Approximately 70 guests attended the occasion.

The tables were graced with lavendar cloths and green overlays. A mixture of lovely summer flowers centered the dining tables. A luxurious bouquet of matching flowers and assorted lanterns decorated the mantle. Hugh magnolia brackets banked the stone fireplace. Pam Morris, floral designer and friend of the families, created the lovely floral arrangements.

White cloths covered the gift table. A dear friend, Jean Rushing, designed a graceful white tree stationed in an antique vase adorned with diamond-shaped crystals symbolizing that “diamonds are forever.” Beneath this unique design was a miniature bride and groom. Also, a collage of the bride-elect’s childhood and many memorable milestones, including a picture of the prospective groom’s proposal, was assembled by another family friend. The couple received an array of useful gifts. They were presented a special gift of handmade napkins by the bride-elect’s great-grandmother, Ethel G. Kelly.

Following the invocation, given by Sheila K. Sikes, maternal grandmother of Gregory, lunch was served buffet-style by Beth and Cathy’s Catering Service. The menu included an assortment of delicious Southern favorites. The engagement cake was fashioned in a heart shape and decorated traditionally, and placed on a large antique silver tray. It was topped with a miniature bouquet of flowers. Homemade peach ice cream was served with the cake.

Both clever and serious toasts were given to the honored couple by the bride-elect’s father, David Ross Gregory, godfather Kelly Sikes Baker, godmother Joy Kelly Butterworth, great aunt, Joyce Bowers and Diane Bowers Porterfield, Sikes cousins.

Special guests included the bride-elect’s immediate family, David, Suzanne and Ross Gregory; grandmothers, Lena Gregory and Sheila Sikes; and grandfather, Winfred Sikes. Many aunts, uncles and cousins of the Kelly, Sikes and Gregory families from out of town attended the party. Everyone was saddened by the grave illness of Thomas’s grandmother, preventing his parents, Bill and Teresa Thomas from attending.