Deborah Dawn Southall and Joseph Carlton Boaz were united in marriage on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 10 a.m. at Austin Hall on the campus of Sam Houston State University in Huntsville. The double-ring ceremony was officiated by Bob Payne of Henderson, minister and long-time friend of the groom's family.
The bride chose an ivory silk peau de soie gown by Paloma Blanca. The slim bodice of the gown featured a portrait neckline with princess lines and the designer's signature pearl and crystal beading. The gown came to the bride's natural waistline and then flaired to a full skirt with chapel length train. The front of the dress was accented by a deep inverted pleat. The bride completed her look with a pearl and crystal fingertip length veil accented by small tiara. She wore pearl earrings that were a gift from the groom and a diamond necklace borrowed from the mother of the groom. The bride carried a pave style bouquet of white roses, hydrangeas, and stephanotis enhanced with pearl centers. The bouquet was framed by miniature English ivy. The stem of the bouquet was wrapped with a white handkerchief, a gift from the groom's late grandmother.
Serving as maid of honor was Emily Grace Boaz of Highland Park, sister of the groom. She wore a clover green satin cocktail length dress that featured a slim silhouette accented by decorative seaming and a bateau neckline. The maid of honor carried a pave style bouquet of fuchsia roses. Serving as the best man was Joe C. Boaz of Huntsville, father of the groom. Both the groom and best man wore traditional charcoal grey morning suits complemented by stephanotis boutonnières. Kimberly Hill of Madisonville, cousin of the bride, served as honored attendant.
The bride was escorted by her father, Dewey Southall of New Caney. Deborah is the daughter of Rhonda Widner, the stepdaughter of Laurie Kelley, and the granddaughter of Wesley Southall of New Caney. The groom is the son of Joseph Charles and Eileen Boaz of Huntsville. He is the grandson of Willie Jo and the late Joe Albert Boaz of Huntsville and Howard and the late Dorothy McNair of Lake Jackson.
Following the ceremony, a brunch reception was held at Austin Hall. Special guest musicians for the wedding were Mike Wright of College Station, pianist; Donna Myrick of College Station, vocal soloist; and, Tom Miller of Huntsville, trumpet soloist. Claire Downe of Cakes by Claire of Huntsville designed and prepared the bride and groom's cakes.
The bride and groom attended Huntsville High School. The bride is a 2002 graduate of New Caney High and the groom is a 2000 graduate of Huntsville High. The bride is employed by Clinical Pathology Laboratories of Austin and is based with the Pediatric and Adult Medicine Associates of Huntsville. The groom earned a baccalaureate degree from Sam Houston State in construction management and is employed by Finn Construction of Montgomery. The groom is also the owner of Raven Contractors of Huntsville.
Following a honeymoon trip to the Hawaiian island of Maui, the couple plans to make Huntsville their home.
