A STORYBOOK TALE UNFOLDS IN SULPHUR SPRINGS
from Front Porch News
Give us a week, and don't let anyone tell you that Sulphur Springs can't throw a party! When Holly Allen at Best Western Trail Dust Inn found a tearful bride canceling her wedding plans after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina, our community went into action with a capital "A".
"All I had to do was mention my plight to Holly and soon people in Sulphur Springs were calling and offering their assistance to make certain that I had a wedding to remember," said a tearful Heather Good. "Words cannot express the deep gratitude that Daniel and I have for the people of Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County! They have treated us just like family!"
Heather was driven through Sulphur Springs with "a place to have a wedding" on her mind, and soon she spied the antebellum home that folks in Hopkins County know as the B.F. Ashcroft Home on College Street. A quick call to Charles Moore, the new owner, and he was caught-up in the excitement.
With the place decided upon, Rene Armstrong was contacted and she soon had her creative mind working on transforming the lovely home into a garden setting, with an arch on the front porch. She had husband, Steve, digging through boxes and transporting equipment to College Street, in the blink of an eye!
Flights had to be arranged and changed from the original wedding site in New Orleans, for Heather and Daniel's family. Holly Allen and Dana Cleaver, at Best Western, started making calls and even when a road block of airline changing fees threatened to stop the proceedings, they found some local businesses willing to aid with the expense, among them, Debra Wright of Century-21 First Group. "People were so, so gracious and willing to help," denoted Allen.
Friends started contacting friends. Jodi Fry of Lotsa Spots Carriages, in Campbell, offered her horse-drawn carriage to escort the bride to the ceremony and to whisk the couple away, once they we married, just like in the storybook.
Heather Good, on the arm of her father, a Military Policeman in Iraq, dismounts her fairytale
carriage and makes her walk down the garden isle to be married in Sulphur Springs.
Several loads of ferns were borrowed from the Sulphur Springs High School FFA Horticulture Department. Then Sandra Glenn made a trip to Summerhouse Lawn and Garden to borrow more plants. Soon the dry landscape was transposed into a magical garden, despite Hopkins County's lack of rainfall.
Tulle and silk flowers, with the touch of Rene Armstrong and Polly Swatsell, transformed the setting into a masterpiece. And, that was when Chad Young of The Lodge was called for a supply of round tables to add to the landscape. A quick call to Vera Harrington, brought the donation of chairs delivered to the site for immediate seating. The party was taking shape.
Meanwhile, Yvonne King, was contacted to work her magic and get the legalities of a marriage license arranged, and to perform the ceremony. Everyone was making certain that this party would unfold.
Justice of the Peace, Yvonne King, performs the ceremony uniting Daniel Wiess and Heather
Good, Marine Corps Servicemen, on the veranda of the antebellum home, Friday afternoon,
approximately 500 miles from the original planned setting of New Orleans.
"Everyone loves a wedding and love story, and with Daniel and Heather's wedding plans being
altered by Hurricane Katrina, and when they are serving our country, it was the least we could
do," explained Judge King, as she performed the ceremony before family and new friends in
Sulphur Springs.
The new Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Wiess board the carriage for a ride around the Downtown Square
in Sulphur Springs, where they were met by throngs of cheering businessmen and residents.
No storybook wedding would be complete without the beautiful reception to entertain family and friends. That's where Polly Swatsell and a group of friends began their magic, in the donated Heritage Hall provided by Best Western Trail Dust Inn. Soon, tables were arranged using white cloths provided by Tammy Bain and Restoration Catering. Gary Spraggins was tapped to provide wedding and reception music, and recipes were being mixed to provide the perfect afternoon entrees. Floral arrangements were crafted by Paula Rorie at Flowerland Florist. The next items on the agenda were the cakes.
The bride's chosen colors of red, silver, and white were used throughout the wedding reception
area at Trail Dust Inn.
Local craftswoman, Maxie Thompson, of Danna's Floral, was contacted and soon she had volunteered to create a beautiful wedding cake. And, with Daniel coming from a rural North Carolina farming community, it was only natural that the groom's table be decorated with a traditional chocolate cake from Brookshire's, with a John Deere insignia. Toy tractors continued the theme.
Heather and Daniel cut their beautiful wedding cake created
by Maxie Thompson.
A beautiful setting, a beautiful reception, and meaningful vows, all make for a storybook wedding. Yvonne King commented the entire affair was "a God Thing" from start to finish. All agreed that this wedding was one made possible by His hand on the young couple and on our community.
Despite Hurricane Katrina and her devastating destruction, one Marine Corps couple managed to defy Mother Nature, with a little bit of help from Sulphur Springs and Hopkins County, and work their way into the hearts of many residents of this community.
A "beaming bride and groom," Daniel and Heather Wiess
"I guess that you know that you've all made such a difference in the lives of a young couple and their families, that will last a lifetime," said a tearful, Teresa Sawyer, mother of the groom. "These kids will remember the gracious people of Sulphur Springs for their entire lives and the tale will be told over and over for years to come!
"Everybody likes a happy ending and love story," said Polly Swatsell as she contemplated the clean-up of the affair, on Friday afternoon. "We've made a difference and done something worthwhile as a community!"
The story of Heather and Daniel and their wedding planned by residents of Sulphur Springs appeared on Fox 4 News Friday night, and will be making an appearance inDallas Morning News.
"We wish them the Best of Luck on their new life together, and who knows, maybe we'll see them again in about 10 years, as they come back with three kids, the family dog, and a suburban, to show their children Sulphur Springs," commented the staff at Country Village Salon, where the bride and her party were treated to hair appointments. "It's just another example of what we can accomplish when we all work together in Hopkins County!"