Melissa Annette Brown and Christopher Lon Thomas were united in marriage at 4 p.m. Dec. 1, 2007, at Talmo Baptist Church in Talmo. The bride is the daughter of Amy and Randall Brown of Pendergrass. The groom is the son of Jean and Michael Hurst of Gainesville and Clyde "Addie" Jr. and Brandi Thomas of Morehead, Ky.

The Rev. Hoyt Winkler performed the ceremony. Pianist Sharon Strickland and trombonist Taylor Welborn presented a program of wedding music.

The bride was presented in marriage by her father. The bride’s friend Chastity Forrester of Oakwood was matron of honor. The bride’s friend Pam Spivey of Gainesville was maid of honor. Bridesmaid was the groom’s stepsister Gretchen Sutton of Gainesville, Fla. The bride’s friend Sarah Katherine Giddens of Jefferson was the flower girl.

The groom’s brother Adam Thomas was the best man. Groomsmen were the groom’s stepbrother Scott Hurst of Wooster, Ohio, and the bride’s friend Cody Williams of Gainesville. The bride’s friends Charlie Williams of Talmo, Jackson Strickland of Alto and the groom’s stepbrother Brian Ratliff were ushers. The bride’s cousin Eric Garner of Buford and the groom’s half-brother Brandon Thomas of Morehead, Ky., were the ring bearers.

The bride wore a garter worn by her mother, aunt and grandmother and another made from her great-grandmother’s handkerchief, and pearl earrings given to her by the groom, a pearl necklace given to her by her parents and a pearl bracelet owned by the bride’s grandmother. The bride carried a handkerchief given to her by her late great-great aunt.

The groom’s parents gave a rehearsal dinner at the Martha Hope Cabin in Gainesville on the eve of the wedding.

The bride’s parents gave a reception at Talmo Baptist Church in Talmo following the ceremony. Lindsey Ellis and Debbie Ellis assisted. Shanda Millwood was the wedding coordinator.

Chelsie Davidson kept the bride’s book.

Following a wedding trip to Riviera Maya, Mexico, the couple resides in Gainesville.