Shana Rochelle Woodard and Solomon Lamin Graves were united in marriage at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 10, in the Capitol rotunda. The Rev. E.C. Maltbia of True Holiness Saints Center in Conway officiated.
Parents of the bride are Regina and L. Paul Ricks of Killeen, Texas, and Redwood City, Calif., and Rose and Cedric Wright of Osceola. Her grandparents are the late Lovie and J.C. Woodard and the late Evelyn and John Ricks, all also of Osceola.
The groom is the son of Irea Y. Graves of Little Rock. He is the grandson of Irea Stubblefield of North Little Rock and the late Willie Stubblefield.
Four large arrangements of hydrangeas, roses, moss and succulents were placed on the rotunda railing.
The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a strapless fit-and-flare gown of blush chiffon with a sweetheart neckline. She carried a silk bouquet of coral roses, peach peonies and salmon poppies.
The bride's honor attendants were Lindsay Oliver of North Little Rock and Jennifer Colwye of Little Rock. Bridesmaids were Keesa Smith of Jacksonville; Lauren McClain of Washington; Natasha Sumter of Woodbridge, Va.; and Janiella Shirley of San Antonio. They wore midnight-blue gowns and carried silk nosegays of white roses and hydrangeas.
Flower girl and ring bearer were Kendall McFadden and James McFadden Jr. of Little Rock.
Serving as best man was James McFadden of Little Rock. Groomsmen were Tobias Graves of Little Rock, brother of the groom; Paul Preston IV, brother of the bride; Corey Thomas of Alexandria, Va.; and Will Grafton and Demetrius Williams, both of Little Rock. Guests were seated by Ryan Williams and Stephanie Howard, both also of Little Rock.
A reception at the Junior League of Little Rock Building followed the ceremony. Tables held a variety of floral arrangements with glittered branches and candles. Music was by Rodney Block and the Real Music Lovers.
The bride has a bachelor's degree in politics and international relations from Hendrix College in Conway and a juris doctorate from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. She is a member of the Beta Pi Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Junior League of Little Rock. She is an assistant court administrator and lawyer with the Pulaski County circuit clerk's office.
The groom has a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from UALR and a master's degree in public administration from Webster University. He is an administrative services manager for the Arkansas Parole Board and an adjunct instructor of criminal justice at UALR.
After a honeymoon in New Orleans, the couple will live in Little Rock.
High Profile on 05/18/2014