On a beautiful spring afternoon with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a backdrop, Amy Michelle Phillips and Mark Gilma Williamson, surrounded by their family and friends, exchanged wedding vows. The ceremony for the Raleigh couple took place on Saturday, May 30, 2009, at 3 p.m. in the “yarden” of the Williamson home in Asheville.

Mr. and Mrs. Mark Gilma Williamson (Amy Michelle Phillips) Advertisement

The bride is the daughter of Joan Phillips of Roanoke Rapids and Amos Phillips of Concord. She is the granddaughter of Muriel Wetherington and the late Eddie Wetherington, formerly of Clinton, and the late Amos and Lois Phillips of New Bern.

The bridegroom is the son of Rita Williamson of Mebane and the late Harry Williamson of Asheville. He is the grandson of Walter G. and Elizabeth K. Williamson of Dothan, Ala., and the late William S. Rich and Ruth S. Rich of Burlington.

The wedding ceremony was performed by the Rev. Sarah York of Asheville.

Music was provided by Braidstream, a trio from Asheville, which featured a dulcimer, flute, cello and guitar. The vocalist, who sang “Annie’s Song,” was the bridegroom’s sister, Melody Williamson of Jersey City, N.J.

The bride was escorted down a mountain path into the “yarden” by her father and then entered into the wedding area with the bridegroom.

The bride wore an ivory tea-length strapless gown which was embellished with pearls, iridescent sequins and tiny crystals. The fingertip-length veil was trimmed in satin and was attached to a beaded comb. The bride carried a hand-tied bouquet of white roses which featured a pearl brooch belonging to her grandmother.

The bridal couple are both graduates of the University of North Carolina. The bride, a pharmacist, is employed by Abraxis BioScience in Durham. The bridegroom, a writer and chef, is self-employed.

The couple currently reside in their home in Raleigh.

Following the ceremony, the bridal couple and the bride’s parents hosted a reception on the grounds of the Williamson home. Guests enjoyed a sit-down dinner and music by Braidstream.

On the eve of the wedding, a dinner was hosted by the bridegroom’s mother, Rita Williamson, at the Grovewood Cafe in Asheville.

A miscellaneous bridal shower for friends and neighbors was held Saturday, April 25, in Raleigh. Hostesses were Caroline Corriher and Amy N. Prewer.

On May 15, co-workers at Abraxis BioScience hosted a miscellaneous shower for the bride.

On May 16, a luncheon shower was held at the home of Nancy Crowe in Roanoke Rapids. In addition to Ms. Crowe, the hostesses for the event were Linda Curtis, Patricia Hatchell and Pet Spears.