Ann Gillespie O’Connell and Nicholas Austin Snapka were married October 9 before a gathering of friends and family in a sunset ceremony on the terrace of the Art Garden at the Mississippi Museum of Art.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Dewey O’Connell and the granddaughter of the late Dr. and Mrs. George Edward Gillespie, all of Jackson, and the late Thelma Turner O’Connell and the late Joseph Ambrose O’Connell Jr. of Hattiesburg.
The bridegroom is the son of Mrs. Charles Dalton Snapka and the late Mr. Snapka of Madison and the grandson of Joe Fred Bramuchi and the late Mrs. Bramuchi of Shelby and the late Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Snapka of Columbus.
The Reverend Joseph Leslie Hegwood Jr. of Calvary Episcopal Church in Cleveland officiated at the double-ring ceremony.
Michael David Brann and Patricia Bramuchi Smith assisted with scripture readings and blessings. Classical nuptial music was presented by Shellie Brown Kemp on the violin and the Reverend William K. Wymond on the piano. The floral arrangements were dedicated to the memory of the bridegroom’s father.
Matron of honor was the bride’s twin Elizabeth O’Connell Green of Jackson. She wore a full-length print dress of English rose and Champagne. Katherine Lindell Sells of Tysons Corner, Va. served as the bride’s other attendant. She wore an identical style dress in a coordinating color of cinnamon rose. Charles Tyler Snapka, brother of the bridegroom, of Nashville, served as best man. Daniel Shane Jeter of Baton Rouge was his groomsman.
Escorted by her father, the bride wore a sleeveless silk gown with a square yoke and fitted bodice. The back of the dress was highlighted with silk covered buttons flowing into a full train. Her cathedral length veil which had been worn by her sister, was trimmed with Chantilly lace. The bride carried a bouquet of miniature white orchids and she wore a gold bracelet that belonged to her paternal grandmother. The bridegroom’s wedding ring was remade from the gold from his late father’s wedding band.
Following the ceremony, a celebration was held at Mississippi Museum of Art with dancing and entertainment by Ronnie Brown and later in the evening by Ben Johnson and Scott Williams.
Guests enjoyed a cocktail buffet prepared by Jennifer and Derek Emerson. Instead of a traditional bride’s cake and bridegroom’s cake, guests were treated to Chantilly cakes and cannoli.
After the evening of festivities, the couple left under an arch of sparklers and departed the museum in a 1971 Chevrolet Malibu driven by family friend, Jay Wiener.
On the eve of the wedding, the bridegroom’s mother hosted a rehearsal dinner for family and close friends at Elvie’s in the Belhaven neighborhood. The four-course dinner was followed by toasts and tributes to the couple.
After a wedding trip to Jamaica, the Snapkas are at home in Jackson.
