Alexandra Crimens Clifford and Joshua Grant Lankford exchanged vows of holy matrimony Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016, at 6 p.m., at St. Mary Basilica with the Rev. David O’Connor officiating.

Nuptial music was presented by Dr. David Goldblatt, organ, and Neil and Rausa McManus, vocalists.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Keith Clifford of Sanford, N.C., formerly of Natchez. She is the granddaughter of Mr. & Mrs. James Lawrence Kimbrell of Natchez, the late Mr. Charles Alvin Clifford of Vidalia, and Mrs. Charles Alvin Clifford of LeCompte, La.

The bridegroom is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Jarvis Hart Lankford of Biloxi. He is the grandson of Mr. Thomas Merlin Necaise and Ms. Margaret Ann Necaise, both of Long Beach, and the late Mr. & Mrs. Charles Hart Lankford of Long Beach.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride donned a designer lace over Lustre Satin fit-and-flare gown with a sweetheart neckline, lace illusion back, scalloped hem, and cathedral train by Martina Liana and wore a satin edged waltz length veil. She carried a cascading bouquet of champagne roses, white peonies, white spray roses, dusty miller, white lisianthus and greenery. The bouquet was placed in a tussie mussie and featured an heirloom handkerchief stitched by her great-great-grandmother.

The bride’s sister, Tildsley Clifford McManus, was matron of honor.  Maid of honor was Chelsea Ann Knight. Serving as bridesmaids were Natalie Bridges Phillips, Kasey Junkin Howell, Chelsea Ashton Krone, Carly Alysse Hummel and Hillary Fowler Cloud.

Junior bridesmaids were the bride’s cousins, Ella Haynes Kimbrell and Marron Kimbrell McCown.

William Timothy McMillan was the best man. Groomsmen were Gary Michael Schimmer Jr.,  Millard Bland Morrison, Benjamin Hammond Satyshur, John Franklin Penn Jr., Christopher Michael May and Richard Hunter Yancey IV.

Ushers were James Hansen McCown, Jesse Eugene Malone Clemons and Kendall Desporte.

Kourtland Ann Desporte, the groom’s cousin, was the flower girl while the best man’s son, William Truett McMillan, served as ring bearer. Program attendants were Riley Jean Cozart and Kennedy Loren Kuntz.

Following the ceremony, directed by Teresa Risher Burns, the bride’s parents hosted a cocktail hour in Stanton Hall followed by a reception at the Carriage House. Pam Harriss created an enchanting floral atmosphere accompanied by Bingo Star’s Southern and coastal themed dishes.

Cuisine The Band, of New Orleans, provided the evening’s musical entertainment where the couple shared their first dance to Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” At the end of the evening, the happy couple exited under waves of red and blue pom poms into a 1960s Bentley.

Following a honeymoon to San Jose del Cabo, the couple is at home in Madison.