Scott and Wendi Strickland of Gainesville, announce the engagement of their daughter Whitney Erin Strickland to Clayton Jed Marchbanks, son of Steven and Regina Marchbanks of Gillsville.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of Ron and Tina Welch of Gainesville, and Ann Strickland and the late Donald Strickland of Gainesville.

She is a 2012 graduate of North Hall High School in Gainesville. She is employed as a cosmetologist at Hairshack in Gainesville.

The groom-elect is the grandson of Linda Parker and the late Kenneth Parker of Lula, and the late Michael Marchbanks, and Joe and Hilda Pavan of Lula.

He is a 2010 graduate of East Hall High School in Gainesville. He plans to graduate in 2013 from Ogeechee Technical College with a bachelor’s degree in mortuary science. He is employed as a funeral director and embalming apprentice by Memorial Park Funeral Home in Gainesville.

The couple plan to wed 6 p.m., Dec. 1, 2012, in an open ceremony at Holly Springs Baptist Church in Clermont.