Miss Madison Avery Skilling
Weds
Miss Maren Madeline Williams
Miss Madison Avery Skilling and Miss Maren Madeline Williams were united in marriage on Saturday, April 3, 2004 , at six o'clock in the evening at First Presbyterian Church in Austin , Texas . Reverend Jason Smith and Father Albert Flint officiated the double ring ceremony. Music for the ceremony was provided by organist, Dr. Joby Bell; soloist, Ms. Melissa Givens; and trumpeter, Dr. Daniel Shipman. A reception followed the ceremony at Barton Creek Country Club with music by Grady Gaines and the Texas Upsetters. On the eve of the wedding, Maren's parents hosted a rehearsal dinner at Jeffereys. A dual bridesmaids' luncheon, hosted by cousins of both brides was held at Green Pastures.
Madison is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Neal Skilling of Houston, Texas . She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Etta Yeldell Evans and the late George Evans of Crossett , Arkansas , and the late Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Skilling of Tulsa , Oklahoma .
Maren is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John William Williams III and Mr. James Stephen Keyser and Ms. Gloria Ann Zacek all of Houston. She is the grandaughter of Mrs. Rose Porch Calder and the late Mr. Jack Charles Calder, the late Mr. and Mrs. John Hamlin Williams, and Mrs. Margaret Knetsar Williams and the late Mr. Jack William William Jr., all of Houston.
Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, Madison wore a gown designed by Amsale of New York . The strapless gown of ivory silk satin featured a beaded alencon lace bodice. A double-sashed back with the same beautiful beaded lace accented the chapel length train. To compliment her gown, the bride wore an angelcut, cathedral length veil of illusion designed by Tia Mazza of New York attached by a tiara of pearls and Austrian crystals.
Serving Madison as matron of honor was Elizabeth Tekell Womble of Houston . Bridesmaids included Miss Staci Lea Johnson and Miss Lisa Elaine Skilling, sister, both of Austin; Mrs. Marilee Buck Eitel of San Antonio; Miss Amy Elizabeth Frank of Dallas; Dr. Lara Ann Longo, cousin of the groom, and Miss Stephanie Kay Moseley both of Houston; Miss Jocelyn Courtney Fretthold of Chicago, Illinois; Miss Heather Marie Nash of Stewartstown, Pennsylvania; and Mrs. Rachel Lee Neumann of Denver, Colorado.
House party attendants included Miss Sarah Anne Caton of Houston; Mrs. Julie Gillis Little of Dallas; Mrs. Amy Richardson Guest of Frisco, Texas; and Mrs. Claire Caton Tyson of Winterville, North Carolina. Miss Francesca Caliva Bosco, cousin of the Madison, served as flower girl.
Maren, escorted by her father, wore a wedding gown of white silk-faced satin designed by Reem Acra of New York . The gown featured a strapless bodice embroidered with delicate silver thread and studded with scattered pearls and crystals. The back of the ball gown skirt was embroidered in a matching design from the waist to the hem of the chapel length train. To complement her gown, the bride chose a matching full-length veil embellished with crystals and silver thread that framed her face and enhanced the end of the veil. A crystal and rhinestone tiara completed her ensemble. She carried a bouquet of dendrobium orchids, phalaenopsis orchids, Virginia roses, Sahara roses, and stephanotis.
Ms. Elizabeth Skarke of Austin, Texas, served Maren as her Matron of Honor. The bridesmaids were Ms. Amanda Ray, sister-in-law of the groom, of Fernandina Beach , Florida , and Ms. Laurie Woodward of Christchurch , New Zealand . Members of the House Party were Ms. Connie Laan and Ms. Cathy Wade both of Round Rock, Texas and Ms. Nancy McCulley of Wimberley, Texas, and Ms. Amy Hinton and Mr. Randall Hinton of Fort Worth, Texas.
Madison is a graduate of Bellaire High School . She earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech from The University of Texas at Austin and was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority.
Maren is a graduate of Kinkaid High School . She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government from The University of Texas at Austin . She was a member of the Kappa Kappa Gamma at Southern Methodist University . She currently manages the central Texas office for National Terrazzo Tile & Marble in Austin .
Following their honeymoon to Saint-Barthélemy in the French West Indies , the couple will reside in Austin , Texas .