Alexander & Burke joined September 25 at St. Patrick’s Church

Kari Alexander and Andy Burke were joined in marriage September 25, 2004, at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Waukon. Father Joe Schneider officiated with Pastor Ken Kimball co-celebrating the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Parents of the couple are Richard and Rose Kolsrud and Lennie and Linda Burke, all of Waukon. Grandparents of the bride are Robert and Eunice Kolsrud and Sue Vertein. Her great-grandparents are Charlotte Thorstenson and Dorothy Vertein. The groom’s grandmother is Anna Mae Curtin.

Decorations at the church were red, white, and blue. Two candelabras featured alternating red and white candles with red, white, and blue tulle bows attached. The pews also had matching bows.

The bride was given in marriage by her father. She chose a strapless, satin dress from Victoria’s. It was a beautiful A-line wrap dress trimmed with red embroidery and beads and featured a sweep train. She chose a tiara with red rhinestones to accent the dress. The bride’s necklace belonged to her grandmother, who wore it for her wedding 50 years ago.

The bride’s personal attendants were Brooke Liddiard, Stacy Wyninger, and Kelly Reiser, aunt of the bride.

Matron of honor was the groom’s sister, Jennifer Blocker. Bridesmaids were Krystal Cahalan, cousin of the bride; Amy Alexander, sister of the bride; Dana Cota, sister of the groom; and Michelle Kolsrud, cousin of the bride. The women wore strapless, A-line satin gowns in navy. The dresses featured light beadwork, flower appliques, and a dramatic split down the front of the empire waist gown.

Best man for his brother’s wedding was Michael Burke. Groomsmen were Pat Mauss, Jake Sweeney, and Jim Mauss, all cousins of the groom, and Michael Hennessy. Ushers were Michael Dahlstrom, Pete Mauss, Trent McCormick, and the groom’s cousins, Brian and Chad Curtin.

The groom wore a white tuxedo while the groomsmen wore red tuxedos and the ushers wore navy.

Junior attendants were Madison Reiser, cousin of the bride, and Kayden Cahalan, god son of the bride.

Ann Hart was soloist for the ceremony and Mary Regan played the organ.

A reception was held from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Waukon Fairgrounds Pavilion. The hall was decorated with red, white, and blue swags, candles, and stones. A bag of red, white, and blue M&M’s were placed at each setting.

Hosts for the event were Jim, Jeff, Jake, Jan, Jerry, and Joe Sweeney.

Gift carriers were the groom’s nephews, Chance and Colin Cota.

Jordan and Thea Curtin, cousins of the groom, presided at the guest book.

Teresa Bockman and Janet Mauss, aunts of the groom, cut the cake.

The bride is a 2000 graduate of Waukon Senior High. She attended Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar and is currently employed as an associate at West Elementary and also waitresses at Wings in Dorchester.

The groom is a 1996 graduate of Waukon Senior High. He also attended Northeast Iowa Community College and currently works for Dillman Equipment and Sweeney Auction Service.

The couple honeymooned in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and now reside in Waukon.