The wedding of Miss
Bonnie Hallman and Mr. Brian Walters took place in Huntsville, Alabama
on August 9th. The Bride is the Historical Librarian at the Huntsville
City Library's Heritage Collection. Both the Bride and the Groom have
been War Between The States Reenactors for many years with co. B, 4th
Alabama Cavalry. The picturesque mountain church provided a setting for
the wedding and was decorated with many treasures from the Huntsville
Library including many original photographs of confederate president
Jefferson Davis, General Lee, Jackson, and Forrest. The Bride also
researched and patterned her Wedding dress after the one worn by Mrs.
Robert E. Lee at their wedding in Virginia as well as the Wedding cake
that was served. The Bridal Attendants and Matron of Honour wore
Ante-Bellum gowns and the Groomsmen wore period military uniforms of the
early 1860's and late 1850's. The Groom wore a Confederate Marine
uniform, while brothers, Glenn wore a typical Butternut coloured
Confederate Cavalry Officer's uniform, and elder brother Jim wore a
Confederate Infantry Officers' uniform. Best Man, Sgt. Michael Graham,
a Marine Corps Veteran, l wore a US Marine Corps uniform circa 1855
while his father, Mr. Jack Graham, also a Marine Veteran gave the bride
away in the name of her parents and the 4th Alabama Cavalry wearing the
same ante-bellum Marine Corps uniform. the ante-Bellum ceremony
featured the Unreconstructed Band that provided period music as well as
period reception foods that included the Chatam Artillery punch, a very
potent concoction made by the Chatam Artillery of Savannah, Georgia.
Originally a non-alcoholic recipe with orange juice and strong brewed
tea. It was spiked liberally by the Groomsmen as it was spiked in 1860
by the men of the original Chatam Artillery. A brief moment of drama
punctuated the beautiful traditional ceremony when time came for anyone
to show reason why this couple should not be united in Holy Matrimony.
All five Groomsmen and the Best Man half drew their swords and glared at
the assembled guests. No objections were heard and the swords were
returned without further incident. A period ball featuring ante-bellum
dances concluded the wedding. the Bride and Groom left the church under
an arch of 20 swords of the men of the 4th Alabama Cavalry. the couple
will make their home in Pensacola, Florida.