Miss Ashley Loren Stephens and Joe Edward “Matt” Mathews, Jr. were married Saturday, Aug.12, 2006 at the Peachtree City United Methodist Church, Peachtree City. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Charles Hodges and the Rev. Stuart Moody.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Daniel Stephens of Fayetteville. She is the granddaughter of Robert Baumwell and the late Mrs. June Kramer Baumwell of Boynton Beach, Fla. and Daniel Luther Stephens and the late Mrs. Annie Laurie Stephens of Newnan, formerly of Millen.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Edward Mathews, Sr. of Statesboro. He is the grandson of Mrs. Frank T. Proctor, Sr. and the late Mr. Proctor of Statesboro, and Mrs. Charlie Joe Mathews and the late Mr. Mathews also of Statesboro.

The bride, given in marriage by her father, wore a strapless A-line antique white satin gown with full pearl beading.

Mrs. Laura Deemer Young of Covington served as the matron of honor. Bridesmaids were Susan Jo Dugan of Brenham, Texas, Eugina Ann Mathews of Auburn, Ala., Alison Elizabeth Millsaps of Atlanta, Katie Michelle Newton of Birmingham, Ala., Kelly Michelle Snyder of Charlotte, N.C., Joy Suzanne Suttles of Melbourne, Fla., and Annie Marie Ward of Coral Gables, Fla.

Joe Edward Mathews, Sr., father of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen were Michael Joseph Beniniti of Coral Gables, Fla., David Brinson Brown, Jr. of Statesboro, William Ray Cannon of Statesboro, Charles Peter Maki, Jr. of Coral Gables, Fla., Brannen Giles Smith of Statesboro, and the brother of the bride John Kyle Stephens of Smyrna.

Kathleen Bosserman of Marina Del Rey, California was the solo vocalist. Emily Hope Stephens of Newnan and Katlin Faye Stephens of Athens served as program attendants. The guest book attendant was Caroline Faith Stephens of Newnan.

Ushers for the ceremony were Gregory Daniel Olliff of Statesboro and Lewis George Turner II of Beaufort, South Carolina.

After the ceremony, a reception was held in the Grand Ballroom of the Ritz Carlton, Atlanta.

Following a honeymoon trip to Costa Rica, the couple will reside in Key Biscayne, Fla.