St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Hickory was the setting for the 6 p.m., Sept. 19, 2009, wedding of Kendra Denise Church and Thomas Bradley “Brad” Bess. Dr. Vincent Hefner officiated.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth E. Church of Granite Falls. She is the granddaughter of the late Helen and Rusty Barlow and the late Helen and Shirl Church.

She graduated from South Caldwell High School and Appalachian State University. She is a kindergarten teacher with Caldwell County Schools.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Tommy Bess of Marshville. His grandparents are Nell Bess of Marshville and the late J.E. “Pap” and Alma Smith.

He is a graduate of Forest Hills High School and Appalachian State University. He is an account manager for Le Bleu Corporation.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore an ivory taffeta modified A-line gown by Augusta Jones. The dress features tip-of-the-shoulder sleeves, a rouched bodice and an inner beaded panel. The beaded hem coordinates with the lace panel, and the back of the gown is detailed with buttons to the hem. The veil, a family heirloom worn by her sister-in-law, was double-layered with ivory trim and matching piping. She carried a bouquet of antique hydrangeas, copper and pale pink Ecuadorian and garden roses, calla lilies, aubergine orchids and lisianthus.

Serving as matron of honor was Katherine Church, sister of the groom, of Nashville, Tenn.

Bridesmaids were school friends of the bride Scotti Hines of Dillsboro, Tonya King of Fort Myers, Fla., Wendi Smith of Concord, Alicia Barnes of Lenoir, Shannon Fanning of Charlotte, Macie Knight of Granite Falls and Jamie Stewart of Mission, Texas, and college friends Kristy Lee of Mebane, Katie McCarty of Raleigh and Ashley Parker of Winston-Salem.

The groom’s father served as best man.

Groomsmen were brothers of the bride Brandon Church of Granite Falls and Eric Church of Nashville, Tenn., cousins of the groom David Edwards of Charlotte and Matt Smith of Winston-Salem, school friends Daniel Hill of Marshville and Tommy Odom of Hickory and college friend Nolan Reedy of Raleigh.

The wedding reception followed the ceremony at Lake Hickory Country Club and was hosted by the bride’s parents.

The rehearsal dinner was hosted by the groom’s parents at the River Bend Clubhouse in Granite Falls.

The bride’s parents also hosted a brunch at Lake Hickory Country Club on Sept. 20 to honor the bride and groom.

After a trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple lives in Hickory.