WEDDINGS: LARUE-BESS

JACKSON -- Carolyn Birk LaRue and J. David Bess were married Oct. 23, 1999, at Zion United Methodist Church in Gordonville. The Rev. Conway Briscoe III performed the double ring ceremony. Pianists were Amanda Crouch and Mike Kasten of Jackson, cousins of the bride. Soloist was Casie Janet of Cape Girardeau.

The bride is the daughter of the late Carol B. LaRue and the late Robert E. LaRue Jr. of Jackson. Joda and Charlotte Bess of Cape Girardeau are parents of the groom.

Christina Moore of St. Louis was maid of honor. Bridesmaids were Cicely Brenner of Cape Girardeau; Salli Bollinger of Jackson, cousin of the bride; Kimberly McCarroll of Lexington Park, Md.; and Kathy Bess-Holloway of Cape Girardeau, sister of the groom. Junior bridesmaid was Morgan Sites, daughter of Steve Sites of Blackwater and Paula Sites of Memphis, Mo., and cousin of the groom.

Dale Sanders of Cape Girardeau served the groom as best man. Groomsmen were William Bess of Cape Girardeau and Steve Sites, cousins of the groom; Dan Swallows of DesMoines, Iowa, and Keith Holloway of Cape Girardeau, brother-in-law of the groom. Junior groomsman was Joda Holloway, son of Keith and Kathy Holloway and nephew of the groom. Ushers were Brad Wendel and Jarred Crouch of Jackson, Doug Wendel of Festus, Dustin Nothdurft of Delta, all cousins of the bride; and James Kniestedt of Monterrey, Mexico.

Flower girl was Jessica Sites, daughter of Steve Sites and Paula Sites and cousin of the groom. Ringbearer was James Holloway, son of Keith and Kathy Holloway and nephew of the groom.

Candlelighters were Lisa Sanders of Cape Girardeau, and Amanda Crouch.

Lynne Wendel of Festus, cousin of the bride, attended the guest book.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at Holiday Inn Convention Center. Servers were Rani Wendel of Jackson and Meghan MacNeil of Ocala, Fla., cousins of the bride; and Stacy Lee of Barnhart, cousin of the groom.

The groom's parents hosted the rehearsal dinner Oct. 22 at Drury Lodge.

Mrs. Bess received a degree in public relations from Southeast Missouri State University in 1999, and is pursuing a master's degree in public administration. She is employed at Bank of America.

The groom is a 1988 graduate of Southeast University. He is sales manager at Bluff City Beer Co.

The couple resides in Cape Girardeau.