Menu
June wedding unites couple
TRENTON -- Crystal Rene Ashley and Christopher Lee Smith were united in marriage on June 2, 2001, at St. James Catholic Church in Trenton. The Rev. Phillip Luther presided over the ceremony.
Parents of the couple are Bill and Shirley Ashley of Culbertson, and Randy and Sandy Smith of Fredonia, Kan. Grandparents of the couple are Helen Hansen of Hayes Center and the late Hans Hansen, the late Elwood and Francis Ashley, Bill and Elva Mae Boicourt of Fredonia, and O'Neal and Wilma Smith of Fredonia. Great-grandparents are Lewis and Mildred Cline, Ralph and Mildred Boicourt, all of Fredonia, and the late Owen and Theresa Smith.
The bride, escorted to the altar by her father, wore a floor-length, sleeveless gown of white bridal satin with a chapel-length train, embellished with sequins and glass beads appliqued on the bodice and around the train. She wore a cathedral legnth veil, which was made by her mother. She also wore a garter tatted by the bridegroom's mother and grandmother. She carried a teardrop bouquet of lavender roses, peach sweetheart roses, lavender alstromeria and Stephanotis. Her personal attendants were Tina Sovereign of Lincoln, and Tosha O'Neal of Fredonia.
Michelle Krauter of Keystone, sister of the bride, served as matron of honor. Taressa Wortman of Hayes Center was the bridesmaid. They wore lavender crepe, floor-length dresses with empire waists and open backs. They carried bouquets of lavender roses, and lavender and white alstromeria. Flower girls for the ceremony were Rhea Krauter of Keystone and Halie Sovereign of Lincoln, nieces of the bride. They wore white, bridal satin dresses made by the bride's mother. They also wore halos of baby's breath and glass roses made by Tina Sovereign of Lincoln, sister of the bride. All floral designs for the ceremony were made by the bridegroom's mother
The ring bearers were Ryan Sovereign of Lincoln, nephew of the bride, and Clifford Hershberger of Fredonia.
The bridegroom wore a western-style, three button, white tuxedo with a white vest and black shirt. Shane Tunison of Salina, Kan., served as the best man for the ceremony, and Chad O'Neal of Fredonia was the bridegroomsman. They wore black, western-style, three button tuxedos with lavender vests and white shirts.
The double-ring ceremony included the exchange of the bride's engagement ring, which was the same ring given to the bridegroom's mother 28 years ago. The altar was decorated with a bouquet of roses in honor and memory of grandparents unable to attend the ceremony. It also featured photographs with a corsage and boutonniere of Melissa Evans of Fredonia, and Derek Wortman of Hayes Center, friends of the couple who have passed away.
Ushers Jacob Smith, brother of the bridegroom, of Fredonia, Rex Hersherberger of Toronto, Kan., Darin Messersmith, cousin of the bride, of McCook, and Fred C. Unger, cousin of the bride, of Omaha, seated the guests. Guest book attendants were Kylee Bouicourt of Fredonia, and Rachel Moser of Augusta, Kan., cousins of the bridegroom. Gift attendants were Laura and Amanda Moser of Augusta, Hannah and Sam Morrison of Winfield, Kan., Aleece Mockery of McCook, cousin of the bride, and Collin Wortman of Hayes Center. Marie Smith of Culbertson provided music for the ceremony. A reception followed the ceremony at the Tumbleweed in Culbertson, and was hosted by Greg and Nancy Bouicourt, uncle and aunt of the bridegroom, of Fredonia, and Delbert and Ruth Hansen, uncle and aunt of the bride. The three-tiered wedding cake was made by Sharria Burke of Elwood, cousin of the bride. Reception servers were Kim Hersherberger of Fredonia, Sarah Moser of Augusta, cousin of the bridegroom, Lu Wortman of Hayes Center and Trena Rice of Henderson, cousin of the bride.
The bride is a 1998 graduate of Culbertson High School and is a student at Highland College majoring in medical information systems and psychology. The bridegroom is a 1994 graduate of Fredonia High School and is a senior at Kansas State University majoring in animal science and business. He is employed by Quaker Oats. After a honeymoon to Topeka, Kan., the couple is making their home in Manhattan, Kan.