Clarissa Howley & Edward Mills
Clarissa Ann Howley and Edward Douglas Mills were united in marriage May 31, 2014, surrounded by family and friends at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Lawrence, Kan.
Following the afternoon ceremony, officiated by Fr. Michael Mulvany, the newlyweds “burned off” in a favorite Corvette, belonging to the bride’s father, to return to the Circle S Ranch, center of the weekend festivities. Guests enjoyed a late afternoon outdoor reception among the rolling Kansas hills, followed by a night of dining in the party barn and dancing under the stars. On the eve of the wedding, a rehearsal dinner was hosted at the ranch by the parents of the groom.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven P. Howley of Scandia, Kan. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Verona Howley and the late Mr. Charles Howley of Clifton, Kan. and Mrs. Theresa Waite and the late Mr. William Walteen Waite of Belleville, Kan.
The groom is the son of Ms. Emily Gill Mills and Mr. Robert Linwood Mills, both of Virginia Beach, Va. He is the grandson of Mrs. Margot Holt Gill and the late Mr. G. Douglas Gill of Dallas, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Edward Mills of Lynchburg, Va.
The bride was escorted down the aisle by her father. For her wedding, Clarissa selected an elegant gown by Martina Liana from Patsy’s Bridal Boutique in Dallas. The soft sweetheart column dress, with fine vintage lace detail, was lightly beaded with clear Swarovski crystals and finished with a sweep train. She carried a bouquet of Kansas wild flowers, invoking favorite memories of growing up on a Kansas farm. Locally sourced from a grower out of Topeka, Kan., a profusion of these same flowers were exclusive to all events during the wedding weekend.
Matron of honor was Clarissa’s sister, Patrice Marie Howley Herrmann and maid of honor was her sister, Addison Layne Howley. Bridesmaids included Valerie Holt Mills, sister of the groom, Lauren Elizabeth Luhrs, Katie Elizabeth Niederee, and Mackinsey Joe Pfautsch. Their bouquets were complementary to that of the bride, wildflowers tied with streaming ribbons in matching colors, spectacular accents to their oyster-hued gowns. Father of the groom, Robert Linwood Mills, served as best man. Groomsmen were Grayson Douglas Gill Jr., uncle of the groom, Ian Klump, Stephen Long, Thane Smith, and Colton Ward. Ushers were Worth Bugg, Jack Castleberry, Eric Lewis, and Jarrid Herrmann. Rosallyn Lewallen and Merrell Harmon were readers. Kristen Henriksen served as the bride’s personal attendant and Lindsey Minnick was in charge of programs.
The bride is a 2006 graduate of Pike Valley High School in Scandia. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in English in 2010 at Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kan., where she was a member of Pi Beta Phi. She received her Juris Doctor in 2013 from the University of Kansas School of Law in Lawrence. Clarissa is currently practicing in Arlington, Texas at the Law Office of Lauren Gaydos Duffer.
The groom is a 2003 graduate of Cape Henry Collegiate School in Virginia Beach. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics and business from Virginia Military Institute (VMI), Lexington, Va. in 2007. Edward is the general manager of RESTORx of Texas in Dallas.
The couple honeymooned in Bocas del Toro, Panama, then traveled to the groom’s hometown of Virginia Beach for a special celebration before returning to Dallas where they now make their home.
