Anna Rebecca Thomas and Richard Allen Norris were united in marriage June 27 at First Baptist Church in Pilot Mountain. The Rev. Eugene Sherrill officiated at the 3 p.m. ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Robert Walter and Marilyn Thomas of Pilot Mountain and the granddaughter of Maude N. Danley of Pilot Mountain and the late Harding Danley and Clem and Mary Lois Thomas. After graduating from East Surry High School in 2004, Anna graduated with a B.A. in mathematics from Salem College in 2007 and the University of Phoenix in 2008 with a M.Ed. in curriculum/instruction. She is a math teacher at East Surry High School.

The bridegroom is the son of Paul Norris of Hendersonville and Minty Norris of Etowah and the grandson of William Lee and Mary Berry of Etowah and Mary Eunice Norris of Hendersonville and the late William Norris. After graduating from West Henderson High School in 2002, Richard graduated from Appalachian State University with a B.S. in applied physics in 2007, and, in May 2009, he graduated with a Professional Masters in engineering physics. He is employed at Brite Engineering as an energy systems analyst.

The bride was given in marriage by her father. She wore a Richard Glasgow strapless ivory wedding gown. The waist was defined by a gardenia-colored band and finished with a bow in the front. French Alencon lace embellished the bodice, the front of the skirt, and descended into a border on the train. Buttons and loops closed the center back bodice and fell to the tip of the train. The bride wore her mother’s veil. She wore a pearl necklace, earrings and bracelet given to her by the groom. She carried a bouquet of white hydrangeas, white garden roses, green Cymbidium orchids and lily of the valley wrapped in her grandmother Thomas’ handkerchief, which she always carried on special occasions. The handkerchief was monogrammed with the bride’s new initial and their wedding date by Marian Nunn.

The maid of honor was Brandi Del Carter of Greensboro. The bridesmaids were Courtney Barefoot Thomas of Wilmington, sister-in-law of the bride; Emily Hilton Vaughn of Mount Airy; and Heather Marie Visaya of Reidsville. Junior bridesmaid was Mary Oliver Thomas of Arlington, Va., cousin of the bride.

They wore tea-length organdy strapless dresses in clover green with ivory sashes by Dessy and wore matching pearl necklaces, bracelets and earrings, gifts from the bride, and carried a cluster of white hydrangeas and green Cymbidium orchids.

Marianna Marquardt of Illinois, cousin of the bride, was the flower girl. She carried a floral pomander tied with clover green ribbon. Jared Berry of Etowah, cousin of the groom, was the ring bearer.

Paul Norris, father of the groom, served as best man. The groomsmen were Adrian Berry of Hendersonville, uncle of the groom; Andrew Berry of Hudson, uncle of the groom; and Tyler Thomas of Wilmington, brother of the bride. Junior usher was Isaiah Norris of Etowah, brother of the groom.

The church was decorated with candles in the windows with magnolias and magnolias lined the music railings. The pews were decorated with cones made from paper doilies holding ivy and tied with sheer ivory ribbon. A large arrangement of white hydrangea, Bells of Ireland, Cymbidium orchids and garden roses was the centerpiece for the communion table at the center front of the church. Grapevine wreaths decorated with magnolias and white hydrangea were hung on entrance doors of the church. The unity candles were placed in antique crystal candle holders that belonged to the bride’s great-grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. I.M. Gordon. In the foyer of the church, pictures of the deceased grandparents were displayed on a table with an arrangement matching the communion table centerpiece.

Lauren Gammon Alexander of Salisbury and Brittany Needham of Mooresville were guest registry attendants. Program attendants were Daniela Berry of Hudson and Jocelyn Berry of Hendersonville, cousins of the groom. The attendants wore matching light green dresses. The programs were printed on church fans tied with a sheer ivory bow. The wedding directors were Lisa Snow and Cindy Kye of Dobson.

Prelude and recessional music for the ceremony consisted of a string quartet provided by CORDA Ensemble. Vocalists were Jay Gammon, Brittany Mellow Hardy and Brandi Del Carter. Organist/pianist for the vocalists was Betty Reirson, the bride’s former piano teacher. Song selections for the ceremony were “Parent’s Prayer” by Steven Curtis Chapman; “Your Everything” by Keith Urban; congregational hymn, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee;” “Never Ever and Forever” by Lee Ann Womack and Mark Wills; and “The Lord’s Prayer” by Albert Hay Malotte.

Photography was provided by Ann Katherine Welch of Forever Wedding Photography, Mount Airy. Videography was provided by Joe Cooke of Skinny Dog Productions of Mount Airy. Floral bouquets and arrangements were provided by Reggie’s Florist of Welcome.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom were driven by Harvey Millsaps in his classic Rolls Royce to the reception at Cross Creek Country Club. The reception was hosted by the parents of the bride.

Jeff and Britta Needham were greeters for the reception. The cake was provided by Lorene’s Bakery of Dobson and featured four simple tiers with butter icing with cake layers flavoring lemon, vanilla and red velvet. The cake was decorated with sugar buttons to resemble the back of Anna’s dress. A fresh mix of hydrangeas and garden roses was added as the cake topper.

Each table was decorated with vases filled with limes or lemons with added flower arrangements of magnolias and white hydrangeas. The arrangements were designed by Kay Pell and Joyce Simmons. D.J. music was provided by Derwin Woodard.

Following the wedding trip to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, the couple will reside in Pilot Mountain.

A beach-theme rehearsal dinner was held at Pilot Knob Park Country Club and was hosted by the groom’s parents, Minty Norris of Etowah and Paul Norris of Hendersonville. A bridal luncheon was held at Salem Tavern on Friday and was hosted by the bride’s mother. The main course was Moravian chicken pie with a medley of vegetables on the side, pumpkin muffins and rolls with butter, and for dessert the ladies enjoyed an ice cream cake from Cold Stone Creamery.

The couple was honored with a kitchen shower at the bride’s home given by her bridesmaids. A bridal shower in Asheville was given by the groom’s mother and friends and a floating bridal shower at the bride’s parents home in Pilot Mountain was given by family and friends.