Simmons-Howell

Laura Beth Simmons of Charlotte and Nicholas Pate Howell of Wilmington were married at 5 p.m. April 26, 2008, on Ocean Isle Beach under an arbor built by the bride's paternal grandparents. The Rev. John Robert Harris officiated the ceremony.

Escorted and given in marriage by her parents, the bride is the daughter of Glen Simmons of Pineville and Robin Simmons of Charlotte. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Booze and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Simmons, all of Roanoke, Va.

The bride is a graduate of South Mecklenburg High School in Charlotte and the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Before her marriage, she was the life enrichment coordinator for Southminster Continuing Care Retirement Community in Charlotte.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Howell Jr. of Kinston. He is the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Luther Howell, who lived in Washington, Ga., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Lester W. Pate, who lived in Kinston.

A graduate of South Lenoir High School and North Carolina State University in Raleigh with a Bachelor of Science in natural resources/ soil and water, the groom is a soil scientist with Land Management Group in Wilmington.

Following a wedding trip to Jamaica, the couple resides in Wilmington.

The bride wore a pearl Mori Lee halter-style destination gown with empire waist and sweep train. The bodice was adorned with crystals and beads and closed in the back with bridal buttons. The sweep train was adorned with ruffles, crystals and beads.

Her veil was embellished with appliqués and crystals. She carried a nautilus seashell containing yellow lilies, white calla lilies, green button mums, white freesia and beach grass.

At the beginning of the ceremony, the groom presented four white long-stem roses to his parents in memory of his late grandparents.

Jessi Lynn Walters of Greenville was the maid of honor.

Bridesmaids were Meghan Flaherty of Charlotte, Brittany Woodall of Fayetteville and Jes Herman of Staten Island, N.Y.

Trey Simpson of Winterville was the best man.

Groomsmen were Michael Howell of Stantonsburg and Jason Howell of Wilmington, the groom's brothers; and Todd Pate of Kinston, the groom's cousin.

Music was provided by the bride's uncle, Steve O'Reilly, guitarist.

Bethany Lakatos of South Carolina was the bride's assistant.

Reception/Parties

Immediately following the ceremony, a reception was held at Silver Coast Winery in Ocean Isle Beach.

On Feb. 19, a Pampered Chef bridal shower was given by the groom's mother and Nancy Parks at the Howell home in Kinston.

On March 8, a bridal shower was given by friends of the bride in Charlotte.

On March 22, a bachelorette party/bridal shower was given by the bride's friends in Wilmington.

On April 25, a rehearsal dinner/pig picking was given by the groom's parents at their Ocean Isle beach home, assisted by Nancy Parks.