Joelle Elizabeth Blackwood and Thomas Shayne Cooper were married Saturday, June 30, 2012, at 2 p.m. at Washington United Methodist Church with the Rev. Patrick Hutto officiating.

Parents of the couple are Marc and Sissy Blackwood and Marlin and Ginga MacLaughlin, all of Natchez, and Tommy and Lea Cooper of Slidell, La.

Grandparents of the bride are Mary Blackwood and the late Wallace Blackwood of Natchez, and Marjorie Cobb and the late Joe Cobb of Eupora. Grandparents of the groom are June Cooper and the late James Cooper of Carriere, and Winnie McDonald and the late Norwood McDonald of Pearl River, La.

Music for the ceremony was provided by pianist Laura Ferguson, saxophone player Frank Ferguson, vocalists Timothy Wise and Ariel Carr, and trumpet players Mark Bell, Logan Fahrenholtz and Michael Robbins.

The bride was given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, Marc Blackwood. She wore a bridal gown of ivory Alencon lace accented with Swarovski crystals, glass beads and bugle beads. The gown featured a sweetheart neckline accented with tulle and a delicately placed brooch, a lace-up corset bodice and a flared skirt with a lace embellished hemline and a chapel-length train. The ivory, fingertip-length veil was adorned with a pearl embellished Alencon lace edge.

Rebecca Wilcutt of St. Louis, Mo., served as matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Nikki Jackson and Allison Saucier, both of Hattiesburg, Elizabeth Samson of Brandon and Brianna Stark of Ridgeland.

David Barry of Slidell, La. and Tommy Cooper, father of the groom, served as best men. Groomsmen were Kristopher Blackwood of Natchez, brother of the bride, John Cockrell of Picayune and James Wilcutt of St. Louis.

Ushers were Ray McDonald Jr. and Jay Arostegui, both of Slidell, La. The scripture reading was given by the Rev. Reed McCaleb.

A reception was held at The Briars following the ceremony.

After a honeymoon trip to Jamaica, the couple will live in Hattiesburg.