Holley-Richardson

Tyra Elizabeth Holley and Jason White Richardson, both of Alexandria, Va., were married at 4 p.m. June 28, 2008, at the Hotel Riu Palace in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. Judge Lic Amalia Espiritusanto officiated the ceremony.

Escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents, the bride is the daughter of Phaedra Berry Holley and Milton Tyrone Holley of Kinston. She is the granddaughter of Mamie Clark Berry of Kinston and Clarice Quinterly Jarmon of Kinston.

A graduate of Kinston High School and North Carolina Central University with a Bachelor of Science and an MBA, the bride is an auditor with Ernst & Young, LLP.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. John William Richardson of Aulander.

A graduate of Bertie High School, he earned a B.S. from Elizabeth City State University and a master's degree in management, transportation and logistics from A&T State University. He is an operations manager for Cardinal Logistics.

Following a wedding trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the couple resides in Alexandria, Va.

The bride's champagne and ivory satin mermaid gown with a double-banded sweetheart neckline was enhanced with beaded metallic embroidery and featured a chapel-length train.

Her elbow-length veil, trimmed with satin ribbon accented with crystals and pearls, flowed from a 3D Flower Rum crown with rhinestones and pearls. She carried a tropical floral arrangement and calla lilies.

Angel Wells of Charlotte and Shawna Underwood of Rockville, Md., were matrons of honor.

Torise Battle of Byron, Ga., was maid of honor.

Bridesmaids were Shakena Hussey of Richmond, Va.; Porche Spence of Raleigh; Latosha Hood of Durham; Quisha Cherry and Renee Ball of Alexandria, Va.; Leah Richardson of Hampton, Va.; and Kya Johnson of Greensboro.

The best men were John Richardson III of Hampton, Va.; Oliver Holley of Ahoskie; and Marcus Jones of Greenbelt, Md.

Groomsmen were Adrian Dance of Hanover, Md.; Tiree Murphy of Washington, D.C.; Joseph Johnson of Capitol Heights, Md.; Barrie Holley of Kinston; Blake Little of Richmond, Va.; Gregory Ackles of Elizabeth City; and Hollis Creecy of Raleigh.

Music was provided by Riu Punta Cana Music Company and Todd Peterson, vocalist.

Magnolia Crisospomo and Juliana Sandoval directed the wedding.

Treda S. Berry was register attendant, and Nicole Ballance was program attendant.

Reception/Parties

Immediately following the ceremony, a reception was given at La Altagracia Restaurante in Punta Cana by the bride's parents.

In March 2007, an invitation to the bridal party beach excursion was held in Miami, hosted by the bride.

In November, a backyard affair engagement party was given at the home of Ella Moore by Moore, Willie Laughinghouse, LaVerta Gooding and Patsy Dillahunt.

In May, a room bridal shower was given by Fay Heath, Gwendolyn Wynn, Marva Brown, Beatrice Davis, Hazel Richburg and the bridesmaids in the Greater Kinston Credit Union Conference Room.

In May, a bridal luncheon was given by the Ernst & Young project team.

In June, an alphabet bridal shower was given at St. Augustus AME Zion Church Annex by Marietta Jenkins, Linda Carraway, Dorothy McFalls, Diane Hall, Evon Loftin, Patricia Patterson, Linda Loftin and Clarice Jarmon.

A bachelorette party was given in Washington, D.C., by friends of the bride.

A bachelor party was held in Washington, D.C., by friends of the groom.

A co-ed wedding shower/bon voyage dinner party was given at the home of Anthony and Nicole Leonard in Baltimore by the Leonards, Terra Abrams, Angie Blackwell and Adonna Vannister.

A "Welcome to the Island and Wedding Celebration" dinner party was held at La Altagracia Steak House in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, hosted by the bride and groom.

A bachelor party was given by the groomsmen at Perico Chicote Bar in Punta Cana.

A "Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue" bachelorette party was given at the Los Riosario Bar by the bridal party.

A "Mother, Daughter, Matron and Maid of Honor" full spa excursion was given at the Riu Spa in Punta Cana by the bride's mother.

A rehearsal dinner party was given at LaBodega Rodizio Brazilian Restaurante in Punta Cana by the parents of the bride and groom.

A farewell brunch was hosted by the bride and groom at Don Manuel Restaurant in Punta Cana.

A presentation of the couple and thank you reception is planned for August in Ahoski by the parents of the bride and groom.