Fonda Marie Ashley and Sam Christian Horton, both of Rome, were married at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, 2002, at Holy Ground Church.

The bride is the daughter of David Ashley of Rome and Susan Ashley of Dallas. The groom is the son of Mike Horton and Pam Watkins, both of Rome.

Danny English of Rome performed the ceremony before an altar flanked by two large arrangements of more than 50 roses and magnolias placed on white columns. Family pews were marked with white roses with autumnal greenery and lavender bows. Large white handmade bows adorned guest pews and the entrance to the church.

A program of wedding music was provided by Zach McFall and Kelly McDowell.

Selections included “The Wedding March,” “Bridal Chorus,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley and “Ready for Love” by India.Arie.

Bertha Ashley, grandmother of the bride, of Rome was maid of honor. Beth Shuler of Rome was matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Kathryn Smith of Rome, Natalie Roberts of Calhoun, Amanda Ashley, cousin of the bride, of Rome and Nikki Burkhalter of Rome.

Attendants wore floor-length periwinkle gowns featuring halter necklines and sequined embroidery.

They carried mixed bouquets of periwinkle, lavender and light blue roses tied with lavender silk ribbon.

The bride, given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, wore a white Italian satin two-piece gown featuring a tank top embellished with cordinelli embroidery beaded with rocals, seed pearls and rhinestones. The back of the bodice featured a corset tie. The straight skirt flowed into a chapel-length train embellished with a border of embroidery.

She carried a bouquet of six white roses mixed with pearls and tied with white and lavender sheer silk ribbon.

Sam Williams, grandfather of the groom, of Rome was best man. Groomsmen were Tim Horton, brother of the groom, of Rome, Mike Fricks, cousin of the groom, of Arcadia, Calif., Matt Rees of Rosedale and Chancey Ashley, brother of the bride, of Calhoun.

The mother of the bride wore a two-piece ensemble with a white satin sleeveless top and a light blue satin floor-length skirt.

The mother of the groom wore a royal blue floor-length dress featuring a beaded neckline.

The mothers of the bridal couple wore beaded white rose corsages.

A reception was held at the church reception hall. White roses and greenery in crystal vases and floating candles were placed on the tables which were covered with white and light blue tablecloths.

Servers included Becky Knott and Shirley Bearden of Powder Springs.

Refreshments included the bride’s four-tier white cake with spiraling pastel flowers topped with a bouquet of pastel roses.

The groom’s square chocolate cake was topped with a “G” to represent the University of Georgia.

The evening before the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was held at Paul’s Oyster Bar.

Other pre-nuptial parties included a bridal shower hosted by Susan Ashley, Natalie Roberts and Kathryn Smith at Holiday Inn Skytop; and a lingerie shower hosted by Susan Ashley at the home of the bride.

After a wedding trip to Daytona Beach, Fla., the couple resides in Rome