Bennett - Hardesty

Michelle Elyse Bennett and Eric Brian Hardesty were married Aug. 4, 2012, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau, by the Rev. Paul Short. Special music included an overlay of "You are My All in All" with Pacelbel Canon in D and the powerful hymn "In Christ Alone". Soloists were Gwenda Bennett Hawk, Debra Bennett Stout and Christopher Goecke. Instrumental music was provided by Trio Girardeaux, and Pat Palisch served as organist. Mary Grace Murphey read Colossians 3:12-17 as the couple's chosen scripture.

Hydrangeas lining the altar were placed in memory of the bride and groom's grandparents.

The bridal party, comprised of family members, included matrons of honor Patricia Bennett Mothershead and Gwenda Bennett Hawk. Bridesmaids were Jocelyn Kendrick Bennett, Ashlie Hardesty Gregory and Christy Guthrie Murphey.

Daniel Hardesty served as best man, with Charles Murphey, Ross Bennett, Russ Mothershead II and Shaun Hawk as groomsmen. Samuel Stahly was usher.

Sally Bennett Cohen attended the guest book.

Amelia Anne Mothershead was flower girl and Michael Kendrick Bennett was ringbearer.

Announcing the beginning of the Christian ceremony were bellringers Caroline Bennett, Lila Murphey, Lily and Isabelle Dudley, Molly and Ally Lampitt, Alyana Bowers and Anna Caroline, Joseph, and Charles Pereira.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a candlelight gown which featured pearls and beads, and carried a bouquet of English roses wrapped in the cuff of her mother's bridal gown.

The bridesmaids wore navy blue silk chantung dresses and British fascinators. They carried hand-tied bouquets of white hydrangeas.

The reception was held at the Dalhousie Manor with music provided by The Garry Goin Group from Memphis, Tenn.

An English tea was held to honor friends and family at Cape Girardeau Country Club the morning of the wedding.

The groom's parents hosted a dinner to celebrate the couple's British and Greek heritage at the Bennett home Friday evening.

The bride is the daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Michael Bennett of Cape Girardeau. Daniel Hardesty of Loveland, Colo., and Elaine Hardesty of Memphis are parents of the groom.

The bride, formerly of Cape Girardeau, is a graduate of Baylor University. She is a sales representative with Sunovion Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The groom received a degree in accounting from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He is a partner at Vaco, LLC, In Brentwood, Tenn.

Following a wedding trip to Switzerland, Italy and Greece, the couple is making their home in Nashville, Tenn.