Jennifer Sue Hamby and Michael Paul Ford, both of Roanoke Rapids, exchanged wedding vows during a beachside 1:30 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009, at Indian Beach.

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Paul Ford (Jennifer Sue Hamby) Advertisement

The bride is the daughter of Wesley and Susan Hamby of Roanoke Rapids. She is the granddaughter of the late James Coley and the late James and Lucille Fanney, all of Roanoke Rapids, and the late Luther and Elizabeth Hamby of Lavonia, Ga.

The bridegroom is the son of Marion Strickland of Roanoke Rapids and Larry and Linda Ford of Smithfield, Va. He is the grandson of the late Carl and Ruth Thorpe of Newsoms, Va., and the late Luther and Dorothy Ford of Johnstown, Pa.

The Rev. Beth Curtis of Beaufort performed the nuptial ceremony.

A program of music was coordinated by Barbi Calhoun of Roanoke Rapids.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a white silk and lace blouse with khaki linen capris. Custom pendants made from Modern Great White shark teeth set in sterling silver were worn on sterling silver necklaces by the bride and bridegroom. The bride wore her grandmother Lucille’s ring and the bridegroom wore rings belonging to his grandparents, “Granny” and “Pop” in their memory.

The bride carried a tropical bouquet of white hibiscus tied with white satin ribbon, designed by Debbie Keeter of Roanoke Rapids.

Ashley Askew of Greenville, daughter of the bride, served as maid of honor.

Sandbuckets filled with sea shells hand collected by the bridal couple were carried by Harley Strickland of Roanoke Rapids, niece of the bridegroom, and Ashton and Jordan Lewis, both of Greenville, and Kingston Keeter of Roanoke Rapids, grandsons of the bride. The shells were given to guests for the shell ceremony.

Larry Ford of Smithfield, Va., served as his son’s best man.

Barbi Calhoun and Debbie Keeter, both of Roanoke Rapids, served as mistresses of ceremonies.

Pirate Portraits and wedding photography were provided by Beverly Woodhall Photography of Beaufort.

The bride is a 1986 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School and is employed as manager of Century Finance Inc. in Roanoke Rapids.

The bridegroom is a 1987 graduate of Roanoke Rapids High School and is employed as a supervisor at AAA Carolinas in Roanoke Rapids.

After a honeymoon on Bouge Sound, Indian Beach, the couple will reside in Roanoke Rapids.

A reception was held at the home of Chuck and Lori Gowen, friends of the couple, on Bouge Sound, Indian Beach, and hosted by the bride and bridegroom. Approximately 75 guests attended and were greeted by Wesley and Susan Hamby, Marion Strickland, Crystal Strickland, Glenn and Debbie Keeter, Howard and Judy Gray, J.B. Beale and Chuck and Barbi Calhoun, all of Roanoke Rapids, and Allen Windley and Gloria Foscolos, both of Beaufort.

An after-reception dinner was held at the Frost Seafood House in Salter Path for out-of-town guests, hosted by the bride and bridegroom.

The bride and bridegroom hosted breakfast the morning after the wedding at Brandy’s Pancakes & Waffles in Morehead City for local and out-of-town guests.

A bridal shower was held on Aug. 22, hosted by Leah Everette, aunt of the bride, Barbi Calhoun and Debbie Keeter, friends of the couple, and Susan Hamby, mother of the bride, all of Roanoke Rapids.

A bachelorette weekend to remember was held September 2009, in Wilmington. Hostesses were Nikki Keeter of Roanoke Rapids, daughter-in-law of the bride, and Jennifer Odom and Amy Newton of Wilmington and Brandi Isles of Nashville, nieces of the bride. The weekend also included a surprise tea brunch held at the Wilmington Tea Room.

A stock-the-bar party was held on Sept. 26, at the home of the bridal couple. The event was hosted by Michael and Nikki Keeter Jr., son and daughter-in-law of the bride, and Chuck and Barbi Calhoun, Joel and Judy Askew and Michael and Krystal Murphy, friends of the couple.