Couples: March 9, 2008

Wedding: McKnight and Burns

Lisa Risher Burns and Tullis Barrett McKnight were married Saturday, Dec. 1, 2007, at St. Mary Basilica, in Natchez, with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.
Parents of the couple are Mr. and Mrs. Robert Emmett Burns of Natchez, Mr. Tullis Beekman McKnight of Clinton, La., and Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Joseph Barraza of Auburn, Calif.
Grandparents are Mrs. William Elijah Risher of Natchez and the late Mr. Risher, Mrs. Frederick Conner Burns of The Woodlands, Texas, and the late Mr. Burns, Mrs. Tullis Beekman McKnight and the late Mr. McKnight and the late Mr. and Mrs. Henry William Heslin Sr.
Music for the ceremony was provided by Dr. Patrick Doherty, organist; Craig Heinzen, trumpeter; Tom Lowe, violinist, and Becky Stephens, soloist.
The bride was given in marriage by her father. She wore an elegant silk gown adorned with lace appliqués, beading and pearls and followed by a stunning cathedral train. Her cathedral-length illusion veil was adorned with scattered beading and pearls and was edged with a band of the same.
Ashley Lorentz Burns, sister-in-law of the bride, of Memphis, Tenn., served as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Joyelle Mayet Beeby and Brandi Betterton Hill, both of Memphis, Margaret Blake Embry of Jackson, Melissa May Harrell of Oxford, Emily Plauche Maxwell of Natchez and Taylor Emily Young of Charlotte, N.C. They wore black strapless floor length silk dresses with rusched bodices.
Tullis Beekman McKnight, the groom’s father, of Baton Rouge, served as best man. Groomsmen were Kevin Anthony Brian, Jason Randall Cashio, Michael Renee Perrault, Byron Robert Rome and Brennan Driscoll Uter, all of Baton Rouge, Robert Emmett Burns Jr. of Memphis and Carey Louis Rome of Birmingham, Ala.
Ushers were Christopher Bailey Maxwell and Brian Wesley Simpson, both of Natchez.
Flower girls were Grace Anne Bohman of Baton Rouge and Mary Lee Lazzari of Fairhope, Ala.
Alter server was Ross Partridge Regan of Fairhope, Ala. Scripture readers were Sister Mary Beth Kubera, D.C., of Evansville, Ind., and Lyndi Gayle LeBlanc of Baton Rouge.
A reception was at Hechler Hall following the ceremony. After a wedding trip to Kauau, Hawaii, the couple will live in Natchez.

Engagement: Hawkins and Ford

Mary Coleman and Otis Hawkins announce the engagement of their daughter, Keisha Shonnette Hawkins, to Paul Nathaniel Ford, son of Mr. Eddie Ford and the late Mrs. Clara Ford of Natchez.
The bride-to-be is a graduate of Natchez High School. She is employed by Natchez Community Hospital.
She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Knight of Natchez and Mrs. Viola Webb and the late James Webb of Natchez.
The groom is a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in Dallas. He is employed by Pride Offshore Oil Rig Company.
He is the grandson of the late Tassie Page and the late Robert Ford and the late Ella Brown and the late Marven Sylvester, all of Natchez.
The wedding will be at 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 22, 2008, at Broadmoor Community Center, formerly the Grill, in Natchez. A reception will follow.
Family and friends are invited.

Engagement: Caldwell and Cochran

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wesley Caldwell Jr. of Natchez, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kristin Ann Caldwell, to Ernie Lee Cochran II, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Cochran of Roanoke, Va.
The bride-to-be is a graduate of Trinity Episcopal School in Natchez, and is a graduate of Mississippi School for Mathematics and Science in Columbus. She is also a graduate of the Sally McDonnell Barksdale Honors College at the University of Mississippi. She is employed by the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C.
She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Wesley Searcy and the late Mr. Searcy of Richmond, Texas and Mr. C. Wesley Caldwell and the late Mrs. Marian Petkosek Caldwell of Natchez.
The groom is a graduate of Cave Springs High School in Roanoke, Va., and is a graduate of North Carolina State University. He received his juris doctorate from the University of Virginia. He is employed by Parker, Poe, Adams and Bernstein, LLP in Charleston, S.C.
He is the grandson of Mr. Dean E. Hash and the late Mrs. Hash of Roanoke, Va., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Cochran of Sidney, Ky.
The wedding will be at 6 p.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2008, at Jefferson Street United Methodist Church in Natchez. A reception will follow at Edgewood.
Family and friends are invited.

Engagement: Gilbert and Owens

Mr. and Mrs. John J. Gilbert of Natchez, announce the engagement of their daughter, Kristen Gilbert, to Jeremy Owens, son of Ronnie and Tonette Owens of Vidalia.
She is the granddaughter of Glenn and Marie Arnold of Natchez and Bobby and Sherry Shnaubert of Weatherford, Texas, and Johnny Gilbert of Knoxville, Tenn.
The groom is employed by Dynasteel Corporation of Natchez.
He is the grandson of Jerry Mulkey of Natchez and the late Hervey and Ali Mae Gillespie of Ferriday.
The wedding will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2008, at the gazebo in Natchez. A reception will follow at Cranfield Baptist Church.
Family and friends are invited.
Formal invitations will be sent to out-of-town guests only.

Anniversary: Cage

Abner M. Cage and Evelina Lyles Cage, of Natchez, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with a ceremony and reception at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 15, 2008, at the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center. The couple has three children, Larry D. Cage of Baton Rouge, Angela C. Thompson of Augusta, Ga., and Pamela C. Barnes of Vidalia. They have 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. They were married March 15, 1958, in Shaw, La. Family and friends are invited.

Engagement: Smith and Savant

Mr. and Mrs. Barry F. Maricelli, of Rock Springs, Wyo., formerly of Natchez, announce the engagement of their daughter, Amber Michelle Smith to Robert Heath Savant, son of Dr. and Mrs. Robert L. Savant of Natchez.
The bride-to-be is a graduate of Trinity Episcopal Day School in Natchez, Louisiana State University and Our Lady of the Lake School of Nursing in Baton Rouge. She is employed by Earl K. Long Medical Center, in Baton Rouge, as a registered nurse.
She is the granddaughter of Mr. William “Cricket” Forman and the late Mrs. Betty Leake Foreman of Crosby and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lee R. Smith of Gloster.
The groom is a graduate of Cathedral High School in Natchez, Louisiana State University and Tulane University School of Law in New Orleans. He is employed by Donohue Patrick Law Firm in Baton Rouge.
He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Travis Gore of Vidalia and the late Mr. and Mrs. F.B. Jack Savant of Vidalia.
The wedding will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 19, 2008, at Houmas House Plantation and Gardens in Darrow, La. A reception will immediately follow.
Formal invitations will be sent.