HERE COMES THE BRIDE; KELLY HIGH SCHOOL CLASS HOLDS MOCK WEDDING

BENTON -- Amid burning candles and "tearful" guests, Jason Grojean promised to love, honor and cherish his friend and classmate Kimberly Essner at least until the end of the school day.

The two seniors at Kelly High School were the bride and groom at a mock wedding Monday afternoon in the school's gymnasium. A mock wedding is held every other year at the school as part of a home economics lesson on marriage and family living.

Holding back giggles, the two said their vows in the presence of about 200 other students and in front of a real, Baptist minister.

Though he smiled through most of it, Jason said the ceremony made him nervous.

"My girlfriend was here; that made it worse," he said as he and his new "bride" prepared to cut their three-tier wedding cake. "She was pretty jealous."

Kimberly said the wedding has been foremost in students' minds during the past two weeks. The two have taken plenty of teasing from other students, she said, and had started calling each other "honey" when they passed each other in the halls.

"Everybody keeps asking us about the honeymoon," Kimberly said. The minister, the Rev. Dale Huff, is Kimberly's grandfather.

Superintendent Mike Johnson refers to the wedding as a lesson in "real life."

"We try to teach them about real life," said Johnson. "And this is about as real-life as you can get."

Donna Anderson, who teaches the class, said she tries to impress upon the students how costly a wedding can be. She said the entire "cost" of Monday's wedding hadn't yet been added up.

"They were amazed at the details that go into a wedding and how important it is not to wait until the last minute to make plans," she said. "And they were amazed at the prices."

But Anderson said she tries to point out that taking the plunge shouldn't be taken lightly.

It's a message at least the bride, who, along with the groom and nine bridesmaids and groomsmen were picked by a random drawing of names, took to heart.

"It takes a lot to plan a wedding and it's expensive," Kimberly said. "You can't just jump into it; you have to be sure."

Anderson said all 140 members of the home economics class helped plan the wedding. After the 20-minute ceremony, punch and cake were served at the "reception."

Junior Kara Heuring, who videotaped the occasion, said a rehearsal and rehearsal dinner were held Friday.

At least 50 of the class members are male, Anderson said. Saturday night was Kelly's prom, so the groomsmen wore tuxedos and bridesmaids wore prom dresses.

Kimberly's wedding dress and veil were loaned to her by Beginnings in Cape Girardeau, Anderson said.

Though most of those who participated in Monday's wedding will end up walking down the aisle at some point in their life, the mock wedding was held mostly to teach students that money, planning and cooperation is essential when planning any event, Anderson said.

"Marriage and family living is an essential part of all home economics classes in Missouri," she said. "We have those who are interested in getting married soon, but we have those who are also interested in careers."