Heather Nicole "Niki" Thomas and Joseph Bart Hudgins were united in marriage at 2 p.m. May 7, 2011, at Double Springs Baptist Church in Demorest.

The bride is the daughter of Deanna Thomas of Gainesville and John C. and Jessica Thomas of Orlando, Fla. The groom is the son of Sammy and Lynn Hudgins of Lula.

The Rev. Royce Winters performed the ceremony.

The bride was presented in marriage by her father and grandfather, the Rev. Royce Winters of Gainesville. The bride's cousin Hannah Garmon of Gainesville was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were the bride's sisters Charity Scott of Cumming and Cheree Gilreath of Dahlonega, the bride's friends Allison Roberts of Lula and Margaret Ansley of Cornelia, the groom's cousin Kaitlyn Poole of Lula and the bride's cousin Haley Garmon of Gainesville. The bride's cousin Kaleigh Mata of Flowery Branch was the flower girl.

The groom's brother Josh Hudgins of Gainesville was the best man. Groomsmen were the groom's brother Mike Hudgins of Commerce, the grooms friends Josh Shockley, Thomas Baugh and Blake Rodgers, all of Lula, the groom's friend Jaron Lanphear of Maysville and the groom's cousin Thomas Poole of Lula. The bride's nephew Phoenix Scott of Cumming was the ring bearer.

Connie Loudermilk was the wedding coordinator. Adrianna Bales and Lacy Gilreath kept the bride's book.

The bride carried a handkerchief belonging to the groom's mother and a bible belonging to her great-grandmother.

The groom's parents gave a rehearsal dinner at Double Springs Baptist Church in Demerost on the eve of the wedding.

The bride's parents gave a reception at the Lula Depot in Lula following the ceremony.

Following a honeymoon to Celebration, Fla., the couple reside in Gainesville.