Erickson, Wesenberg joined in marriage September 2

Hillary Erickson of Waukon and Dane Wesenberg of Dows were united in marriage at 4:30 p.m. September 2, 2007 in the Wartburg College Chapel in Waverly. Officiating for the service were Pastor James Gronewold, uncle of the groom, and Jerry Haugland, uncle of the bride. Parents of the couple are Sheri and Bob Erickson of Waukon and Phyllis and Dennis Wesenberg of Dows.

Josh and Gail Brecht, friends of the groom, provided vocal, guitar and piano prelude music. The pianist, Aiko Yamada, friend of the couple, played "A Chloris" by Hahn and "Trumpet Voluntary" by Purcell as the attendants and the bride entered the sanctuary. The bride's sister, Heather Weigle, served as Matron of Honor. Bridesmaids were Claire Boyle, Lara Pischke, Gayle Westfahl, friends of the bride, and Mina Fantz, Dayce McAndrews, and Sheree Koutsoukos, sisters of the groom.

The Bridal attendants wore deep-red, satin, strapless gowns that featured an empire waist with soft horizontal folds around the top. A sash, tying in the back, complemented a gently flowing A-line skirt. They wore muted gold pearl necklaces and earrings and carried bouquets of dark red and red-orange roses. The bride wore a champagne-colored, off-the-shoulder gown with lace and gold beading. The dress had the appearance of a ball gown from the 1930s or 1940s and had a long, lace-covered, beaded train.

Kenny McAndrews, nephew of the groom, was the ring bearer. Luther Bartelt, friend of the groom, was the best man. Groomsmen were Kevin Smith, Matthew Mills and Troy Russell, friends of the groom, and Johan Heatta, foreign-exchange student brother of the bride. Ushers were Kyle Weigle, brother-in-law of the bride, and Daniel Barnes, friend of the groom. The men in the wedding party wore black tuxedos with dark red vests and red rose boutonnieres. The groom wore a black tux with a cream-colored vest and a red and white rose boutonniere.

The service began with the congregational hymn, "Be Thou My Vision." Scriptures were read by Cheryl Ethan, friend of the couple, and Kerstin Barnes, friend of the groom. After the Rite of Marriage, "Amazing Love" was sung by the congregation while the couple, assisted by Pastor Gronewold and Mr. Haugland, distributed Holy Communion to all of the guests. The sending hymn was "Go My Children with My Blessing." After the Benediction and Presentation, colorful metallic streamers were shot over the congregation from the side balconies. The entire bridal party sang the contemporary gospel number, "Never Alone" before leaving the sanctuary.

Hillary's personal attendant was her friend, Karen Whitaker. Guest book attendants were the bride's aunt and uncle, Gale and Mary Erickson.

The wedding reception was held at the Black Hawk County Rotary Reserve near Cedar Falls. Tables were decorated with red and muted gold strings of berries wrapped around tall glass cylinders with floating candles inside. White lights, hung from the ceiling, illuminated the space.

Hillary is a 1998 graduate of Waukon High School, a 2002 graduate of Wartburg College and she has her Masters Degree from Vanderbilt University. Dane is a 1997 graduate of Dows High School, a 2001 graduate of Wartburg College, and he will finish his Masters Degree at Arizona State this summer.

The couple currently resides in Tempe, AZ.

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