Miss Katherine Theresa Arnold and Mr. Jason Carl McConnell were united in marriage on June 28, 2008, at 8:30 in the evening. The candlelight nuptial Mass was celebrated at Saint Mary's Catholic Church, College Station, TX, with the Rev. Daniel Liu officiating at the double-ring ceremony. Holly S. Arnold and Kelli M. Rogers, sister-in-law of the bride and sister of the groom, respectively, provided scripture readings. Music was provided by music director and pianist Michael Macicek, with vocal arrangements by Melissa and Daniel Hronek, and Sarah S. Chorley. This date is particularly meaningful to Katie and Jason because it is the wedding anniversary of both of Katie's grandmothers, and is the first wedding at which Father Liu, ordained May 31, 2008, has officiated. Immediately following the nuptial Mass, the bride's parents honored the couple with a cocktail reception and dancing in The Oak Room of the Hilton Hotel, College Station, TX. Music was provided by D.J. Stewart Porter. On the eve of the wedding, the groom's father was the host of a rehearsal dinner held at Oxford Street in College Station, TX. The morning of the wedding, Katie and her bridal party were honored with a brunch at Madden's in Old Towne Bryan, Bryan, TX. Nanella B. Arnold and Rosemary F. Cloutman, the bride's grandmothers, and Karen C. Tackaberry, the bride's maternal aunt and godmother, were hostesses. The groom and his groomsmen were treated to a morning of golf by the groom's father. A Texas brisket brunch for out-of-town guests and close friends was hosted by the bride's parents the morning after the wedding at their circa 1902 Victorian home.

The bride is the daughter of Dr. Robert G. and Natalie C. Arnold of Navasota, Texas. She is the granddaughter of Nanella B. Arnold, and the late O. Glen Arnold of Fort Worth, Texas, and Rosemary F. Cloutman, and the late Millard A. Cloutman of Nederland, Texas. The bride is a sixth generation Texan, having been born in Houston during the Texas sesquicentennial year.

The groom is the son of Sherry H. McConnell of Lufkin, TX, and Carl D. McConnell of Houston, TX. He is the grandson of Frank and Virginia Hartlage of Louisville, KY, and the late J. Elmer and Helen McConnell of Louisville,KY.

The bride was given in marriage by her parents, and escorted by her father. She wore a chic Maggie Sottero Couture gown featuring Swarovski crystal embellished lace over delustered satin design. The strapless, sweetheart fitted bodice was accented with scalloped lace embellished with Swarovski crystals which beautifully transitioned into a slender A-line silhouette, while the back of the gown gracefully flowed into a lace scalloped, sweeping chapel train, creating a stunningly elegant effect. A diamond-white satin sash accented the empire waistline and wrapped to a dropped waist at the corseted back, finishing with cascading streamers to the gown's Swarovski crystal embellished lace-scalloped hem. Complementing her gown, the bride chose a simple French tulle veil delicately accented with Swarovski crystals, extending beyond her train, and held in place by an exquisitely fashioned petite Swarovski crystal and pearl comb. The bride accessorized her gown with petite sapphire drop earrings, her birthstone and a gift from the groom, and a dainty sapphire and ruby heart amulet, a gift from her paternal grandmother. Within her bouquet of stargazer and Casa Blanca lilies, hand tied with diamond white satin ribbon, the bride carried a crystal rosary, a gift from her mother on the occasion of the bride's First Communion.

Serving as Matron of Honor was Sarah S. Chorley of Norman, OK. Bridesmaids were Louisa Day of College Station, TX; Angela Green of Alexandria, VA; Laura Lindig of College Station, TX, and Rachael Piontak of Catoosa, OK. The bridal party wore Jasmine Collection floor length gowns, featuring iridescent cream taffeta V-necklines; gathered wrap bodices with iridescent dark teal taffeta A-line floor length skirts and matching waistbands completed their ensembles. The bridesmaids carried bouquets of pink Gerber daisies; pink and peach spray roses, with touches of yellow freesia, hand tied with cream satin ribbon. In addition, the Matron of Honor's bouquet featured a stargazer lily, in keeping with the bride's bouquet. Flower girls were Erin and Shannon Tracy, identical twin sisters, of Gaithersburg, MD., and friends of the bride's family. They wore Jordan Collection's Sweet Beginnings diamond white delustered-satin floor length gowns with ruched bodices and dainty puffed sleeves, .Iridescent dark teal taffeta sashes with streamers reaching to the hem accented their gowns. Fresh flower coronets, matching the bridesmaids' bouquets, adorned their heads and they carried petite white baskets of pink and peach spray roses. Ricky Rogers of Baytown, TX, nephew of the groom, served as ring bearer.

The Best Man was Brian Davis of College Station, TX. Groomsmen were David N. Arnold, brother of the bride, of Houston, TX; David McDonald of College Station, TX; Bryan McMurray of Dallas, TX, and Paris J. Parks of Dallas, TX. The groom's ring in yellow gold, to match his Aggie ring, was a gift from the bride's maternal grandmother on behalf of the bride's deceased grandfather. In a way, the bride's “Pop-Pop” is still looking after his “little princess.” Ushers were R. Andrew Arnold of Sand Springs, OK, and Adam G. Arnold of Navasota, TX, brothers of the bride.

Katie is a 2005 graduate of Metro Christian Academy, Tulsa, OK, and is a second-year student at Blinn College in Bryan, TX. She works as a copy editor for Aggieland Illustrated magazine and as a sales assistant at The Closet Door in College Station, TX. Jason, originally from Louisville, KY, is a 1997 graduate of Lufkin High School, Lufkin, TX, and a May, 2008 graduate of Texas A&M University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Technology. He works as an editor of, and principle photographer for Aggieland Illustrated magazine, and is employed by Texas Digital, Inc., College Station, TX, as purchasing, and quality control manager.

After a honeymoon to Playa del Carmen, Mexico, Katie and Jason will reside in College Station, TX, with their border collie, Kiltie, and Katie's two cats. As a surprise to the newlyweds, and in a gesture of good sportsmanship by the bride's mother, a Texas Ex, the Aggie War Hymn was played as Katie and Jason left for their honeymoon.

Mr. and Mrs. Jason Carl McConnell wish to thank their families and all their friends who traveled numerous miles to share in the celebration of their marriage.