James Warren Armstrong and Faith Dana Spencer
Announcement
Faith Dana Spencer and James Warren Armstrong, both of Mt.Pleasant, South Carolina, were united in marriage on Saturday, April 7, at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. The Reverend Beverly A. Bartlett officiated the 5:30 p.m. nuptials.
The bride, who was escorted by her father, is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Bowen Spencer Jr., of New York. Mr. Spencer is a retired attorney who was previously Director of the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and was a partner at the international law firm of Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher. Mr. Spencer has also served as general counsel of the Prudential Securities Group, and is currently the Chairman of the Board of the Salisbury School. The bride’s mother, Alice Dana Spencer, is a retired museum educator, having held a position at the Smithsonian Institution, and currently serves on the board of the Shelburne Museum.
The bride is a graduate of The Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut. Ms. Spencer earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Sevanee: The University of the South in 2012, and her Master’s degree in elementary education from the College of Charleston in 2017.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robet Henry Kemp, of Bamberg, South Carolina, and Mr. Scott Armstrong of Villa Ridge, Illinois. Mr. Kemp is retired from Goodrich/Delevan Corporation, and Mrs. Kemp is an Administrator for Orangeburg Preparatory Schools. Mr. Armstrong is retired from the United States Air Force. Grandparents of the groom are Mr. and Mrs. James Darnell of Bamberg, South Carolina, Mrs. Virginia Kemp of Bamberg, South Carolina, and the late Honorable Robert W. Kemp, also of Bamberg. Paternal grandparents are the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry W. Armstrong of Cairo, Illinois.
The groom is a 2007 graduate of Bamberg Ehrhardt High School, and received his Bachelor’s degree in finance from the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina. He is the manager of Fairway Independent Mortgage in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.
The bride wore an impeccably fitted white strapless gown with laser cut embroidery, by Canadian designer Romona Keveza. A cathedral length veil was fastened with a family heirloom, a diamond and sapphire brooch belonging to the bride’s maternal grandmother. The bride carried a classical bouquet of blush and light pink peonies,ranunculus, hydrangeas and delicate sweet peas. A monogrammed handkerchief, also belonging to her maternal grandmother, wrapped the stems of the bouquet.
A portion of the ceremony took place in the Dana Chapel, where the bride and groom, accompanied by their immediate family and witnesses, signed the marriage license. The chapel was gifted to the church by the bride’s family in 1949. Reading Scripture for the ceremony were Samantha Armstrong, sister of the groom and Molly McNulty, cousin of the bride.
The bridesmaids’ gowns were designed by American designer Jill Stuart, and were made with a blush pink skirt and coral top. Maid of Honor was Lillian Barnett of Austin, Texas. Bridesmaids were Asiya Amin of El paso, Texas; Sara Bengston of Charleston, South Carolina; Teresa Edwards of Charleston, South Carolina, Layne Ezell of Jackson, Wyomoing; Mary McLean Goodpasture of Charleston, South Carolina; Jane Krause of London, England; Ch1oe LaBranch of New York, Anna Marchetti of Nashville, Tennessee; Molly McNulty, cousin of the bride, of Little Rock, Arkansas; Elizabeth Oswald, cousin of the bride, of Barcelona, Spain; Rosemary Quick of New York, and Catherine Robben, cousin of the bride, of Little Rock, Arkansas. Flower girl was Avery Caroline Myers, niece of the groom, of Isle of Palms, South Carolina.
The groomsmen and the father of the bride looked dapper in striped gold and white bow ties and cummerbunds worn with black tuxedos and white shirts. Mr. Armstrong’s best man was Mr. Robert H. Kemp of Bamberg, South Carolina. Groomsmen were Henry Batts of Columbia, South Carolina; Michael Dill of Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina; Shane Green of Charleston, South Carolina; Heath Hansell of Charleston, South Carolina; David Hodgson of Raleigh, North Carolina; Martin Padgett of James Island, South Carolina; Sam Pannier of Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina; Will Spencer, brother of the bride, of Morristown, Vermont, and James Wahl of Charleston, South Carolina. Ringbearer was Watson Palmer Myers, nephew of the groom, of Isle of Palms, South Carolina.
Reception: After a long awaited spring in the New York City, wedding guests enjoyed dinner and dancing at the University Club. The beautiful space was filled with towering arrangements of flowering pink cherry blossom branches, and low lush floral arrangements of viburnum, peonies, lilacs, ranunculus, and trailing jasmine. Subtle touches of gold complimented the layered illumination and warm glow of the candlelit space.
A Simple Cake, of New York City, created a stunning and delicious five-tiered red velvet cake with cream cheese filling and vanilla butter cream frosting. The cake was decorated with a delicate cascade of blush and white sugar flowers by designer Nicole Lugo.
Following a two week honeymoon to Italy, the couple will make their home in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.