Carissa's Wedding

On Friday, July 15, my friend Carissa married Ben at Zion Lutheran Church in Belleville, Illinois. I have known Carissa since high school and we went to church together at Zion in Belleville. We got to know each other even better when the Gateway Wind Quintet was formed in May 1998. Carissa remained a close friend even after the quintet dissolved and she has come to most of my girl parties and gatehrings. Two years ago, my friend Krysti and I introduced Ben and Carissa by inviting both of them to the Shakespeare Festival in Forest Park. Little did we know that they would hit it off and get married! I am so happy for both of them. They make a wonderful couple.

Carissa asked the quintet to play pre-service music at the wedding. Colleen filled in for Ginger on flute since Ginger is a new mommy and Melissa filled in for Carissa on oboe. When the quintet was going strong, Melissa used to sub for us.

The Gateway Wind Quintet played at Carissa and Ben's wedding at Zion Lutherna Church in Belleville, IL. This was the first wedding I have attended at Zion since Ken and I were married there on September 24, 2005. The day brought back many wonderful memories of our wedding.

After the wedding, mom and dad invited some of the wedding guests to their house. This picture was taken at mom and dad's before we headed to the reception at the Renaissance Grand Hotel on Washington Avenue in downtown St. Louis.

The Cake- The cake was yummy. It was marble flavored.

Carissa and the Girls- Debbie, Krysti, Liz, Carissa, Jaime, Jennifer, Colleen

The original Gateway Wind Quintet: Ginger (flute), Amy (French horn), Carissa (oboe), Phil (bassoon) and Jennifer (clarinet).

Kyristi and Shawn.

Carissa's stepmom Goldie and her dad Kevin.

My parents Janet and Keith.

Liz and Kyle and Jaime.

Our table: Jennifer, Ken, Amy, Phil, Jason, and Ginger.

The parents: Kevin, my mom and dad, and Goldie.

The kids: Ken, Jennifer, Carissa, and Ben.