March 29, 2024

Griffith, Cline wed in September ceremony

LENOX — Rachel Marie Griffith and Branden Dean Cline, both of Lenox, were married Sept. 20 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Creston.

The bride is the daughter of Scott and Jolene Griffith of Prescott, and the granddaughter of Coletta Bradley, formerly of Lenox, and the late Lyman Bradley, and Janice Griffith of Prescott and the late Ray Griffith. The groom is the son of Bart and Kim Cline of Lenox, and the grandson of Lenore Pokorny of Columbus, Neb., and the late Bert Pokorny, and Gary and Janet Cline of Raton, N.M.

The Rev. Ken Halbur officiated the nuptial mass.

Maid of honor was Mallory Griffith of Prescott, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Alyssa Handeland of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., Christina Dietz and Veronica Harty, both of Ankeny, and Allie Cline of Lenox, sister of the groom.

Flower girls were Kolbey Bailey of Creston, cousin of the bride, and Ava Spies of Omaha, Neb., cousin of the groom.

Bride’s personal attendants were Brittany Martin of Boone and Jacque Tripp of Lenox.

The bride wore an ivory satin, strapless, floor-length gown with sweetheart neckline, gathered by a cappuccino band, accented with silver-beaded gemstone appliqué, at an empire waist. The cathedral veil and blusher was scattered with rhinestones throughout.

The bride carried a bouquet of ivory roses and calla lilies complimented by baby’s breath. The bride carried out the theme of “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue,” and had a penny in each shoe given to her by her father prior to the ceremony.

The bridesmaids wore eggplant knee-length dresses with a sweetheart neckline.

The bridesmaids carried bouquets of burnt orange tiger lilies.

The flower girls wore ivory satin dresses with cappuccino midriff, similar to the bride’s.

Best man was Cody Cline of Lenox, brother of the groom. Groomsmen were Jared Ecklin, Lincoln Calvin, Jeremy Barrans and Carson Cline, brother of the groom, all of Lenox.

Ring bearer was Micah Spies of Omaha, cousin of the groom.

Ushers were James Martin of Indianola, Zach Nelson of Omaha, cousins of the bride, and Trevor Gibson of Omaha and Kyle Pokorny of Kansas City, cousins of the groom.

Mass lectors were Susan Hatten of Des Moines, cousin of the bride, and Nadyne Montiel of Lenox. Gift bearers were Tori Nelson of Omaha and Grace Reineke of Kansas City, Mo., cousins of the bride. Altar servers were Marah and Samantha Larsen, both of Corning. Jen Hatten of West Des Moines, cousin of the bride, and Tim and Linda Root of Creston were Eucharistic ministers.

Ceremony music was provided by organist and pianist Lynn Baker of Creston, cousin of the bride, violinist Emily Huntington of Orient and vocalists Brittney Carpio and Jordan Garvey, both of Des Moines.

Prelude to the service featured the song “From This Moment On” as a vocal duet by Carpio and Garvey. The couple’s grandparents and parents were escorted to the song “A Thousand Years.” The bridal party processional music was the theme song from “Beauty and the Beast.” The bride was escorted by her father into the church to “Bridal Chorus.” After the exchange of wedding vows, the couple lit a unity candle to the song “When I Say I Do,” sung by Garvey. The communion hymn, “How Beautiful,” was sung by Carpio. The couple and bridal party exited to “Bridal March.”

Prior to departure to the reception, the couple released 100 white balloons as a prayer tribute to family and friends unable to attend the ceremony, and also to fit the theme of Creston Hot Air Balloon Days.

Guest book attendants were Kitty and Victoria Griffith of Shawnee, Kan., cousins of the bride. Janet Conner of Creston and Marilyn Martin of Indianola, aunts of the bride, were in charge of flowers. Gift attendants were Steve and Varanee Griffith of Shawnee, uncle and aunt of the bride, and Kurt Nelson, uncle of the bride.

A dinner and dance reception was held immediately after the ceremony at Lenox Community Center in Lenox, and was hosted by Karl and Cindy Reineke of Kansas City, uncle and aunt of the bride, and Jason and Kelly Gibson of Omaha, uncle and aunt of the groom. Cake table attendants were Loretta Hatten of West Des Moines, aunt of the bride, and Karen Pokorny, aunt of the groom.

The bride graduated from Creston High School in 2009, and Iowa State University in Ames. She is currently employed as an exercise physiologist and wellness coach at Clarinda Regional Health Center in Clarinda.

The groom graduated from Lenox High School in 2009, and Southwestern Community College. He is currently self-employed in agriculture and livestock management.

The couple will honeymoon in Negril, Jamaica, and currently reside in Lenox.