Essner -- Watkins

Allison Lynn Essner of Cape Girardeau and Julian Christopher Watkins of Cairo, Illinois, were married July 30, 2016, at St. Mary Cathedral in Cape Girardeau. The Rev. Patrick Ike Nwokoye performed the ceremony. Leann Hendrix was the organist and Susan McMann and Nicholas Palkovic were vocalists.

Allison is the daughter of John and Jill Essner of Cape Girardeau. Julian is the son of Lisa and Gerald Watkins Sr. of Mounds, Illinois.

Matrons of honor were Beth Otten of Pekin, Illinois, and Emily Ruebel of Cape Girardeau, both sisters of the bride. Bridesmaids were Megan Ressel of Cape Girardeau, friend of the bride; Lauren Essner of Cape Girardeau, cousin of the bride; Katie Garlock of Buffalo, New York, cousin of the bride; Jennifer McCann of Charleston, Missouri, friend of the bride; and Rachel Essner of Cape Girardeau, cousin of the bride.

The flower girl was Sophia McMann, daughter of Tim and Susan McMann of Farmington, Missouri, and cousin and goddaughter of the bride.

The ringbearer was Gerald (Tre) Watkins III, son of Maria and Gerald Watkins Jr. of Cairo, Illinois, and nephew of the groom.

The best man was Gerald Watkins Jr. of Cairo, brother of the groom. Groomsmen were Lucas Pecord of Vail, Colorado, friend of the groom; Malcolm Boyce of Crested Butte, Colorado, friend of the groom; Bryan Hallengren of Carbondale, Illinois, friend of the groom; Tyler Dixon of Murray, Kentucky, cousin of the groom; Mike Pisano of Peoria, Illinois, friend of the groom; and Andrew Essner of Cape Girardeau, brother of the bride.

Ushers were Brady Dixon of Edwardsville, Illinois, cousin of the groom; Michael Essner of St. Louis, cousin of the bride; and Tyler Essner of Cape Girardeau, cousin of the bride.

The wedding reception was held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jackson.

The groom's parents hosted the rehearsal dinner on July 29 at Port Cape Girardeau.

Allison is a 2005 graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a second-grade teacher at Warren E. Hearnes Elementary School in Charleston.

Julian is a 2004 graduate of Cairo High School. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Illinois. He is an attorney at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois.

After wedding trip to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, the couple lives Cape Girardeau.