Suzanne Lynn Gresham weds Drake Davis Barham

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Suzie Gresham and Drake Barham, both of Hope, AR, were married November 3, at six o’clock in the evening at Hope Municipal Airport. Dr. Robert Davis and Dr. Clif Johnson officiated.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Gresham of Hope. She is the granddaughter of James and Carol Pafford of Hope; Alvie and Linda Keasler of Arkadelphia; Bob Gresham and the late Cindy Gresham of Rosston.
The bridegroom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Barham of Hope. He is the grandson of Ronnie and Wanda Barham of Hope, and Robert and Maryann Davis of Pinehurst, North Carolina.
The hangar at the 1940s era Hope Municipal Airport was the backdrop for the sunset ceremony.
String music was performed by members of the Texarkana Symphony Orchestra. The bridal party advanced to Plasir D’ Amour by Martini. The bride progressed to Canon in D by Pachelbel. The bridal party and family members recessed to Allegro Maestro (Suite 2) by Handel.
Reed Barham of Hope was best man. Groomsmen were Garrett Gresham of Hope; Dalton McKelvin of Dallas, TX; Shane Starkey of Conway, AR; Landon Davis of Fayetteville, AR, and Garrett Davis of Hope. They wore dark grey tuxedos with black ties and boutonnieres of burgundy mini calla lilies.
Mallory Ryan-King of Helena, AR and Lauren Yocom of Hope were matrons of honor. Bridesmaids were Graycee Barham of Hope; Kailey Madden of Greenbriar, AR; Emily Acuna of Frisco, TX; Alexis Jennings of Flower Mound, TX; and Cait Light of Hope.
Each of the bridesmaids wore a custom designed jumpsuit, a gift from the bride. The jumpsuits were fashioned from hand-dyed peacock velvet and featured a strapless faux wrap bodice and wide bell legs. The outfits were accented with gold and bead belts. The custom color was then used to create the color theme for the wedding. They carried cascade bouquets of Madam Pompadour Orchids, blue thistle, celosia, antique berry hydrangea, faith, roseberry and deep purple roses and gold filigree.
The bride was escorted by her father. She took her promenade down the aisle in a one-of-a-kind gown created by Arkansas designer Laine Berry. The gown featured an exaggerated bateau neckline with a plunging V back and long sleeves. The ponte de roma bodice was edged all around with custom beadwork created exclusively for the bride and was a mixture of hand applied Swarovski crystals. The pattern of the beadwork was stylized poinsettia petals, which represent love, joy and hope as well as violet blossoms representing thoughts occupied with love. The skirt of the gown was fashioned from ivory silk shantung and featured a cummerbund to accentuate the bride’s waist as well as a cathedral length train. The bride wore a bespoke veil by Deborah Moreland which extended 18 feet and was dotted with Swarovski crystals of varying sizes.
The children’s court included Chole Jo Carson and Kline Carson of Hot Springs, AR and Ava Walker and Will Walker of Smackover, AR.
For the reception, a seven tiered wedding cake adorned heavily with flowers was the focal point. Guest enjoyed dinner at oversized harvest tables and well-appointed lounge areas. Large, lush floral arrangements in metallic containers were placed throughout the hangar while more floral installations were suspended from the ceiling. A large ruscus and smilax installation, punctuated with globe lighting, was floated over the dance floor. Music was by DJ Derrick of Fayetteville, AR.
The bride changed for the reception into a one-of-a-kind jumpsuit, also created by Laine Berry. The jumpsuit was fashioned from ivory three-ply crepe and featured a high neck, basque waist, poinsettia and violet petal theme, carrying the symbols of a lifetime of joy and love into the bride’s reception apparel.
The bride graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. She is Director of Public Relations for Pafford Emergency Medical Services.
The groom graduated from Ouachita Baptist University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting. He is Chief Accountant for Pafford Emergency Medical Services.
After a honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii, the couple will live in Hope, Arkansas.