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Submitted by LaWanda Lewis Burrell

Mr. and Mrs. Willie Earl and Beaster H. Lewis of Greenville celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 17, pledging their love and commitment to each other in a double ring vow renewal ceremony at the Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel and Conference Center at Capitol Hill in Prattville on Nov. 18.

The ceremony and reception were designed by Melanie Turner Designs and Events, of Florence. Wedding coordinators Steven and Anita Hawkins of Greenville promptly began the wedding ceremony at 2:00 p.m. with a remarkable instrumental prelude.

At the entrance, the groomsmen greeted the bridesmaids with a bow and walked them down the aisle with joined hands to “Can’t Let Go” by Calvin Richardson. Groomsmen were Nalin Burrell of Cypress, Texas; DeMorris Burrell also of Cypress; Darryl Covington of Waxhaw, North Carolina, Willie Hawkins of Birmingham and Best Man Calvin Crenshaw of Greenville. 

Bridesmaids were Nylah Burrell of Cypress, Texas; LaWanda Burrell also of Cypress; Valanda Covington of Waxhaw, North Carolina, Matron of Honor Frances Herbert of Greenville and Maid of Honor Neziah Burrell of Cypress. 

Flower girls were Bianca and Myah Covington of Waxhaw who dropped beautiful ivory flower petals to “The Moment” by Kenny G. 

Reverend Helen Davis of Manassas, Virginia blessed the couple and attendees with a powerful prayer of love and thanksgiving. Rev. Dr. James Hall of Montgomery officiated the ceremony with a heartfelt message of love and life. 

The guests were in awe as the bride entered the ceremony with the song, “Why I Love You” by Major, escorted by Robert Hawkins, Sr. of Greenville.

The two lovebirds renewed their marriage vows and exchanged wedding rings in the presence of nearly 100 guests. The couple sealed their marriage with a kiss as the officiant pronounced them as husband and wife and re-introduced Mr. and Mrs. Willie Earl Lewis. 

The bride and groom along with the wedding party ended the ceremony giving thanks and praise to the Most-High God singing, “I Am Blessed” by the Reeds Temple Choir.

Videographer Kamau Simmons of Decatur, Georgia captured beautiful moments that the couple will cherish for a lifetime. The guests enjoyed participating in wedding trivia games hosted by DJ Errick Bethel from Atlanta and the coordinators while the wedding party took post-wedding pictures with Sonya Jackson of Montgomery. 

It was a true celebration as DJ Errick Bethel played musical selections that got the guests on their feet. Korwin Harris III (Tre), a 15-year-old from Mobile, did an amazing job creating a three-tiered, buttercream, white custom wedding cake decorated with burgundy handmade flowers cascading down the front and accents of elegant gold bands and baby breaths. 

The lovely couple would like to thank everyone who attended and helped to make their 50th wedding renewal celebration a success. 

The bride and groom enjoyed their honeymoon on a family trip to Honolulu, Hawaii in June and July.