Beard - Foster

Laura Elizabeth Beard and Benjamin Ray Foster were married July 9, 2011, at First Baptist Church. The Rev. Brent Self of Arcadia Valley, Mo., performed the ceremony. Music was by Brent Foster of Dallas, Texas, brother of the groom.

Parents of the couple are Daniel and Deborah Beard of Cape Girardeau and Michael and Mary Foster of Kennett, Mo.

Maid of honor was Beth Shock of Jackson, and matron of honor was Anna-Marie Beard of Ironton, Mo., sister-in-law of the bride. Bridesmaids were Meg Yates of Cape Girardeau, Anna Kreighbaum of Gordonville, Candless Zielinski of Cape Girardeau, Meghan Freeze of Columbia, Mo., Rika Friedrich of Jackson, Brooke Watson and Abbie Crowley of Cape Girardeau.

Matthew Foster of Kennett was his brother's best man. Groomsmen were Christopher Smith of Poplar Bluff, Mo.; Chase Smith and Dontavis Jones of Kennett; Brian Beard of Ironton, brother of the bride; Ryne Branum of Kennett; Dru Deere of Caruthersville, Mo.; James Jernagin of Dallas; and Brent Foster. Ushers were Jason and Jeffrey Beard of Cape Girardeau, cousins of the bride; Keith Pendergrass and Corey Foster of Kennett, nephews of the groom.

Flower girl was Heidi Self, daughter of Brent and Heather Self. Ringbearer was Knox Beard, son of Brian and Anna-Marie Beard and nephew of the bride.

Guest book and program attendants were Chrystal Foster and Kara True.

The bride's parents hosted the reception at Bavarian Halle. Servers were Diane Musselwhite of Southaven, Miss., and Vicki Bradsher of Paragould, Ark., aunts of the bride.

The groom's parents hosted the rehearsal dinner July 8 at Dexter Bar-B-Que.

Mrs. Foster is a 2003 graduate of Central High School. She received a bachelor of science degree in health management in 2007 and a bachelor of science in education in 2010 from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a physical education teacher at H. Byron Masterson Elementary School in Kennett, and is assistant volleyball and basketball coach at Kennett High School.

The groom is a 2005 graduate of Kennett High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in education from Southeast in 2010. He teaches physical education, health and fitness, and is assistant football coach and head track coach at Kennett High School.

After a wedding trip to Destin, Fla., the couple is residing in Kennett.