Jessica Ann Davenport and Benton Evon Howell were united in marriage in a 4 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, August 10, 2005 at the Buena Vista Plantation in Prattville. The ceremony was officiated by Dr. Paul McLendon of Mobile, formerly the pastor of First Baptist Church in Greenville. Mrs. Kyle Arnold was the wedding director.

Wrought iron rails in front of the plantation house were wrapped in white tulle trimmed with silver wedding bells and ivy. A pair of large silk arrangements featuring lilies, hydrangeas, white roses and greenery, flanked each side of the front doors.

The doors were graced with grapevine wreaths featuring white tulle bows. White chairs on the lawn awaited guests, with a white carpet down the center aisle.

Boston ferns, bird of paradise, asparagus ferns, ficus trees and philodendron, all gifts from the groom's aunt and uncle, were featured throughout the yard and plantation house.

The bride, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Larry Davenport of Georgiana, wore a strapless A-line gown of white satin, featuring a cathedral train embroidered and adorned with beads and sequins at the waist and covered buttons down the back. A fingertip tulle veil was adorned with beads and soutache edging.

She carried a bouquet of white calla lilies, white roses and greenery.

Mrs. Joel Jackson, cousin of the bride, served as matron of honor.

Jacqulyn Celeste Wyatt served as her maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Jennifer Renee Chesser, Mrs. Andy King and Amber Leigh Gillespie, cousin of the groom.

Whitney Hannah Johnson was junior bridesmaid.

Laurel Marie Jackson, cousin of the bride, served as flower girl.

The bridesmaids wore tea-length silk crepe gowns in peridot with spaghetti straps and a band of rhinestones and bow at the waist. The junior bridesmaid wore a two-piece dress in peridot, featuring a tea-length skirt with a sleeveless top. All the bridesmaids carried a single calla lily. The flower girl wore a hand-smocked bishop dress, in a soft green color. Seed pearls accented the green and white smocking, with piping and cotton lace completing the sleeves. She carried a hand-painted bucket with silk flower petals.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Morris Howell Sr. of Andalusia. The father of the groom served as his best man.

Groomsmen were Mickey Morris Howell Jr., brother of the groom, Wesley Wells Davenport, brother of the bride, James Cooper Gillespie, cousin of the groom, Henry F. Goolsby III and James Adam Mikells.

Cody Ray Stapleton, the cousin of the bride, served as ring bearer.

Tom Payne, vocalist, performed &#8220In This Very Room” and &#8220The Lord's Prayer.” Mrs. Tim Skipper was the pianist, and wedding music included &#8220Arioso,” &#8220Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring,” &#8220Canon in D,” &#8220Bridal Chorus” and &#8220The Wedding March.”

A reception inside Buena Vista followed the outdoor ceremony.

Kelly Scorr resided over the bride's book; Laurie Ledbetter and Mrs. Thomas Howell served the wedding cake, Bayleh Reed and Mrs. Scott Phillips served the groom's cake and Heather Wyatt served the punch.

The four-tier wedding cake featured white butter cream icing, with a single silk sage-colored ribbon decorating each layer. The top of the cake was adorned with silk coral-colored flowers, with more flowers cascading down the side.

The groom's cake was adorned with the orange and blue &#8220AU” and Auburn Tiger paw prints. Chocolate-covered strawberries adorned the top.

Guests enjoyed assorted fresh fruits, crudit\u00E9s, hors d'oeuvres, open-faced cucumber sandwiches, chicken salad puffs and grilled sausages.

Following a honeymoon cruise to Cozumel, Mexico, the couple is now at home in Millbrook.

Events honoring the bride and groom include a June 18 miscellaneous shower in Millbrook at the home of Mrs. Donnie Johnson. Fellow hostesses were Mrs. Henry Goolsby, Mrs. Donny Gibson and Mrs. Kenny Sexton.

Another miscellaneous shower was held on June 25 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church in the Friendship Community.

Hostesses were Mrs. Thomas Norrell, Mrs. Bobby Rogers, Mrs. Johnny Stapleton, Mrs. Charles Norrell, Mrs. Jimmy Peavey and Ms. Laurie Ledbetter.

On June 26, a bridal tea was held at the home of Mrs. Larry Coon. Other hostesses were Mrs. Don Sorrells, Mrs. Jim Scott, Mrs. Kyle Arnold, Mrs. Charles Newton and Mrs. Chip Bates.

A miscellaneous shower was held at First Baptist Church of Greenville on July 9, with Mrs. Don Williams and Mrs. Jerry Till serving as hostesses.

On August 19, a bridesmaid's brunch, hosted by Mrs. Henry Goolsby, was held at The Legends in Prattville.

A rehearsal dinner, hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Mickey Howell Sr. was held on August 19 at Buena Vista. Barbecued Boston butts, baked beans, slaw, bread, various desserts and soft drinks were enjoyed. Following the dinner, the guests enjoyed a video of Jessica and Ben, a gift from Ben's aunt and uncle, which portrayed photos of the couple from infancy to the present. The video was also played during the wedding reception.

On the morning of the wedding, the groomsmen and bride's father were honored at a breakfast brunch at El Japaleno Restaurant in Millbrook. Mrs. Bob Wells, Mrs. Lee Williams and Ms. Kim Pebworth were the hostesses.