Miss Scott, Mr. Underwood united in double ring ceremony

Dutch Ford Farms, a historic landmark dating back to 1860, provided a picturesque setting for the traditional double-ring ceremony uniting Miss Jency Alaina Scott and Mr. John Bernard Underwood on Saturday, March 1, 2025. Pastors Larry Jennings and Phil Wilson, both of Swainsboro, performed the double ring ceremony.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Ken Scott of Portal. The groom’s parents are Mr. & Mrs.

Stacy Underwood of Statesboro. Mr. & Mrs. Bo Bishop of Metter, Ms. Jency Bishop and Ms. Judy Scott of Twin City, and Ms. Sally Deal of Statesboro were all present for the celebration of love uniting their grandchildren.

As guests arrived at the front of the stately farmhouse for the ceremony, they were welcomed by double-sided swags of white roses, pennycress, salal, and leatherleaf adorning the lampposts at the head of the walkway. White organza, intertwined with boughs of smilax, marked every other seat along the aisle. At the foot of the porch, two pillar arrangements showcased a stunning blend of white roses, Queen Anne’s lace, white larkspur, and stock, complemented by lush, dark greenery.

Porch sconces were adorned with swags of white roses, pennycress, salal, and cascading smilax. The focal point of the setting was a breathtaking arrangement of white tulips, Queen Anne’s lace, white roses and spray roses, hydrangeas, larkspur, and stock, accented by green hanging Amaranthus and lush dark greenery cascading from the second-story balcony.

Wedding painter Layne Marie Carter captured the magnificent scene on canvas from the front lawn as family and guests enjoyed the ceremony.

Guests were welcomed by classical music upon arrival and during the prelude. As the wedding began, a trio featuring an oboist, cellist, and violinist performed ‘Canon in D’ for the processional.

The bride and her father arrived in a Cinderella carriage drawn by two white Gypsy Drum horses, their bridles adorned with elegant white feather headdresses. Two formally attired coachmen guided the carriage, adding to the grandeur of the moment.

As the carriage approached the ceremony, a surprise, heartfelt pre-recorded message from the bride to the groom played, creating a deeply touching moment.

Upon arriving at the ceremony, the trio played ‘The Bridal Chorus’ as the bride and her father made their way down the aisle to where the groom awaited.

Given in marriage by her parents, the bride wore an ivory Justin Alexander A-line gown featuring off-the-shoulder cuffs, a skirt slit, and a chapel-length train. A dramatic chapel-length bow adorned the small of her back, complementing her ten-foot cathedral veil of ivory tulle. She accessorized with chandelier rhinestone earrings borrowed from her Matron of Honor, Cameron Nevil. As her ‘something old,’ she wore her mother’s tennis bracelet.

She carried a breathtaking bouquet of Queen Anne’s lace, white roses and spray roses, white larkspur, stock, and green hanging Amaranthus. The bouquet was tied with a white sash monogrammed with the couple’s initials in black and adorned with sentimental touches—a vintage rhinestone brooch belonging to her grandmother, Jency Bishop, and a photo charm of her late grandfather, Kenny Scott, accented with a tiny blue bow.

Mrs. Cameron Nevil of Excelsior served as Matron of Honor, while Miss Abigail Cowart of Twin City was Maid of Honor. The bridesmaids included Mrs. Railey Scott of Portal, sister-in-law of the bride; Miss Alivia Smith of Statesboro; Mrs. Lauren Rogers of Garfield; and Miss Morgan Rehberg of Twin City.

They wore elegant black satin dresses featuring a striking one-shoulder bodice with a regal bow detail on the opposite shoulder. The satin twill maxi dresses flowed into a flared trumpet skirt, creating a sophisticated silhouette. As a gift from the bride, each bridesmaid accessorized with rhinestone and pearl earrings. They carried bouquets of Queen Anne’s lace, white roses and spray roses, white larkspur, and stock, all bound with black sashes with flowing tails.

Stacy Underwood, father of the groom, served as his son’s Best Man. The groomsmen included Mathew Blitch of Statesboro, Dolan Brown of Garfield, Kenton Scott of Portal (brother of the bride), Jarret Humphries of Statesboro, Tyler McMillan of Patterson, and Jim Kopotic of Bluffton, South Carolina.

The groom and his groomsmen wore modern-fit black tuxedos with cummerbunds. However, the groom distinguished himself with a black and white Brackish bow tie. Each gentleman completed his look with a boutonniere of white spray roses and Italian ruscus.

For their unity ceremony, the bride and groom’s parents joined them in a prayer circle, laying hands upon the couple as Pastor Larry Jennings led a heartfelt prayer.

Following the unity ceremony, exchange of vows, and pronouncement as husband and wife, the bride and groom made their joyful exit to ‘The Wedding March’ as guests showered them with fresh white rose petals. Upon exiting, they climbed into the carriage and rode off to share a private moment together before heading to the reception.

As guests arrived at the reception barn, they entered a corridor where a table greeted them, featuring a gold vintage mirror sign encouraging everyone to sign the guestbook. For the guestbook, the couple chose a picture book from their engagement session, allowing guests to flip through and sign their favorite photo. Nearby, a pink vintage rotary phone invited guests to leave a recorded message for the couple. To the right of the table, a large engagement picture of the couple added a personal touch. The table was anchored by a stunning arrangement of oak, magnolia, and smilax, with white hydrangeas, roses, and larkspur nestled around the base and scattered throughout.

To the left of the corridor stood the bountiful buffet, anchored by a large arrangement that complemented the entrance table, surrounded by an array of candles in various sizes. Gold fluted vases filled with white hydrangeas, roses, tulips, larkspur, stock, and Queen Anne’s lace adorned each serving table on the left and right of the centerpiece.

To the right of the corridor, three white vintage buffets were displayed. The first held a Barbie dressed in a replica of the bride’s gown, staged on a wooden disk platter enclosed in a glass cloak. A framed story, ‘The Story of the Barbie Dress,’ explained how the replica was the same dress the bride and her friend used to play with when they had Barbie weddings as children. The table was centered with a silver candelabra holding tapers and a small wooden crest designed by the couple.

The second buffet featured a four-tiered bowl filled with small candles made by the bride. The black tins were labeled with the couple’s crest. The table also included a black vintage candelabra with tapers, a framed picture of the couple, and a vintage gold mirror sign inviting guests to take a candle.

The third buffet was a tribute to late loved ones of both the bride and groom. It was dressed with a vintage five-arm gold candelabra with tapers and the bride’s toss bouquet. To the left, an oversized vintage mirror was inscribed with the words: “They are no longer two, but one. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate.” Matthew 19:6.

At the end of the corridor stood the bride’s cake table. For her cake, the bride chose a seven-tiered confection with alternating layers of traditional and cookie butter flavors. The cake was adorned with vintage piping, and the couple’s crest was featured on the fourth tier. Surrounding the cake was a lush bouquet of white tulips, Queen Anne’s lace, roses, spray roses, hydrangeas, larkspur, stock, and green Amaranthus, cascading elegantly to the floor.

Just beyond the bride’s cake stood a long table where the wedding party and their guests were seated. The table was dressed in black floor-length linens, with gold fluted chargers, white china plates trimmed in gold, and black linen napkins embroidered with the couple’s initials in white. Gold flatware and cut crystal stemware completed the elegant setting. Centerpieces featured gold and crystal five-arm candelabras and gold towers holding lush arrangements of white hydrangeas, larkspur, stock, roses, spray roses, and Queen Anne’s lace, all accented with cascading greenery.

Just beyond the bridal party table stood the groom’s cake, a three-tiered replica of the ‘Snooty Fox.’ The fox was dressed in a red coat and black top hat adorned with a feather, complete with a golden monocle. The cake table was draped in a floor-length black cloth, with a pair of antiqued nickel foxes positioned at the foot of the table.

Above the cake table, the barn loft featured an impressive eight-foot arrangement of white tulips, Queen Anne’s lace, white roses and spray roses, white hydrangeas, white larkspur and stock, green hanging Amaranthus, and a mix of dark greenery, cascading gracefully down from the loft.

Scattered throughout the barn were tables dressed in floor-length black cloths, gold chargers, and black linen napkins in formal folds. The table arrangements varied, featuring either gold towers and bowl arrangements of white hydrangeas, larkspur, stock, roses, spray roses, and Queen Anne’s lace with cascades of greenery, or clusters of candles surrounded by bud vases of white roses and white tulips, all encircled by lush greenery.

The back patio was where guests gathered to socialize and dance to the sounds of The High Mileage Band and Big Time Events. They also enjoyed taking photos in front of a striking black photo wall adorned with two chandelier sconces and the couple’s initials in white roses. Bar tables draped in black cloths with black and white damask overlays were scattered throughout the patio area. Beyond the patio, additional seating included a white loveseat with black and white damask pillows and two vintage wingback chairs, providing a cozy retreat for guests to escape the crowd.

After the parents, wedding party, and newly married couple were introduced, the bride and groom shared their first dance as husband and wife to ‘When a Man Loves a Woman’ by Percy Sledge. The bride then danced with her father to ‘Best Parts of Me’ by Will Dempsey. The groom’s mother also had a special moment, enjoying an upbeat dance with her son to ‘You Won’t Mind the Rain’ by Hank Williams Jr.

Later in the reception, instead of a bouquet toss, the bride gave a heartfelt speech and dedicated her bouquet to her mother.

Other memorable moments included members of the Phi Mu Sorority encircling the bride as they serenaded her, followed by members of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, including the groom, singing to the bride.

After an evening of dancing and socializing, the couple made their exit from the front of the barn beneath a canopy of bright sparklers. They left the event in a classic 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner Convertible, driven by family friend Will Gay.

Following their honeymoon in the Jackson Hole area of Wyoming, the newlyweds are making their home in Bulloch County.

REHEARSAL DINNER

Mr. and Mrs. Stacy Underwood hosted a rehearsal dinner at The Depo in Metter to honor their son, his fiancée, members of the wedding party, and close friends and family.

Outside The Depo, guests were welcomed by large lanterns surrounded by ferns and palm plants on either side of the entrance. On the top deck, an exquisite arrangement featured a huge catfish nestled among fern, palm, and dogwood, surrounded by candles. A wooden sign reading ‘Welcome John and Alaina’ completed the charming scene.

Inside, tables were dressed with floor-length burlap cloths, rattan chargers with white plates, colorful striped linen napkins embroidered with a “U,” silver flatware, and blue stemware. The centerpieces featured either candle towers or candle clusters, accompanied by magnolia or palm, with each table showcasing a different color ceramic fish pitcher.

The buffet table was draped in black floor-length cloths, with a centerpiece of palm and fern held by a massive clay jug. For dinner, guests enjoyed prime rib, grilled shrimp, twice-baked potatoes, bacon-wrapped green beans, seven-layered salad, and rolls.

The dessert table displayed an array of different flavored cheesecakes on wooden disks, surrounded by pictures of the couple and candles scattered throughout.

Entertainment for the evening was provided by Will Gay and Dorie Johnson, who sang as guests arrived and later performed two special songs for the couple: ‘I’m Gonna Love You’ by Cody Johnson and Carrie Underwood, and ‘God Bless the Boy’ by Cody Johnson.

The evening began with a welcome and introductions by the groom’s mother, Liz Underwood, followed by a blessing of the food by Pastor Larry Jennings. After dinner, speeches were given by Stacy Underwood, father of the groom, and Alisa Scott, mother of the bride, who shared heartfelt sentiments, memories, and well wishes for the couple. Additional speeches were made by Mathew Bitch, groomsman, Dolan Brown, groomsman, and Abigail Cowart, Maid of Honor. The evening concluded with a closing prayer by Pastor Larry Jennings. As guests departed, they were each given a bottle of Uncle Shug’s BBQ sauce, accompanied by heartfelt sentiments and thank you notes from the bride and groom.