Tina Gaston of Ferriday and Roger Gaston of Calhoun, La., announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Gaston to Matthew Welch, son of Tommy Welch and the late Sharla Welch of Natchez.

The bride-to-be is a graduate of Vidalia High School and a graduate of University of Louisiana at Monroe, La., where she received her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree. She is employed by Quachita Parish School Board in Monroe.

She is the granddaughter of the late Tom and Marie Cockerham of Ferriday and Virginia Murphy and the late Henry Murphy of West Monroe. She is also the granddaughter of Sadie Easom of Lake St John, the late Carolyn Craft of Waterproof and the late Mack Easom of Greenville, Tenn.

The groom-to-be is a graduate of Natchez High School and is employed by Southwest Mississippi Electric Power Association in Lorman.

He is the grandson of the late Elvis and Bobbie Darr of Monette, Ark., and the late James and Mary Welch of Flora.

The wedding will be 6 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 16, 2017, at the new Ferriday Hall in Ferriday.

A reception will immediately follow the ceremony.

Family and friends are invited.

Formal invitations will be sent to out-of-town guests only.