WEDDING: SANFORD-SWAN

SCOTT CITY, Mo. -- Tara Leigh Sanford and Ryan Haddon Swan were married Oct. 28, 2000, at Logan Street Baptist Church in Mt. Vernon, Ill. The Rev. Dennis Preston performed the double ring ceremony. Pianist was Susan Wells of Mt. Vernon, and soloist was Kelli Marlow of St. Louis.

Parents of the couple are Steve and Brenda Sanford of Scott City, and Robert and Lisa Swan of Mt. Vernon.

Matron of honor was Shelley Blakely of Sikeston, Mo., sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Rachel Swan of Mt. Vernon, sister of the groom; Dana Petitt of Scott City, and Cristie Mah of St. Louis.

Jason Books of St. Louis served the groom as best man. Groomsmen were Billy Cox of Charlotte, N.C., Matt Reynolds of Mt. Vernon, and Shawn Sanford of Cape Girardeau, brother of the bride. Ushers were Mark Swan of San Diego, Calif., cousin of the groom; Tony Wielt of Mt. Vernon; Michael Sanford and Steve Sanford Jr. of Scott City, brothers of the bride.

Flower girl was Alexa Kelpe, daughter of Joe and Annette Kelpe of Jackson, Mo. Ringbearer was Tyler Blakely, son of John and Shelley Blakely and nephew of the bride.

Amy Swan of Mt. Vernon, cousin of the groom, attended the guest book.

Following the ceremony, the reception was held in the church fellowship hall.

The groom's parents hosted the rehearsal dinner Oct. 27 in the church fellowship hall.

Mrs. Swan is a graduate of Scott City High School. She expects to graduate in May from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a bachelor of science degree in management information systems.

The groom is a graduate of Mt. Vernon Township High School. He received a bachelor of science degree in history from SIU-Carbondale in 1995, and a master's degree in educational administration from Eastern Illinois University in 1997. He is the principal at Pinckneyville Junior High School in Pinckneyville, Ill.

The couple resides in Pinckneyville.