Jessica Thompson & Tyler Cole

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Jessica Thompson and Tyler Cole have known each other since they were kids in the close-knit community of O'Neill in north-central Nebraska. They dated for three years before Tyler asked Jessica to make the deal permanent.

The couple tied the knot Sept. 19, 2009, at St. Patrick Catholic Church in O'Neill, then bused the wedding party and 400 guests to and from the Community Center in nearby Atkinson for a celebration of a lifetime.

The bride wanted her wedding to be remembered. “I wanted it to be special and different at the same time.” Jessica got her wish.

Color was a key element. The first clue came during the ceremony, in the hot pink pumps that peeked from beneath Jessica's warm ivory gown.

The groom wore a chocolate brown tux with gold vest and tie. The groomsmen, also in chocolate, donned sage vests and ties, while the ushers sported the same tux with gold-striped tie and gold vest. The fathers wore chocolate tuxes and gold-striped ties with chocolate vests.

Jessica's bridesmaids wore sage dresses with gold sashes, while, in contrast, the junior bridesmaid wore a gold dress with sage sash.

The Community Center was transformed in vibrant and sharply contrasting colors. The ceiling was hung with pink and green tulle and varied sizes of Chinese paper lanterns in green, pink and brown, backlit by strands of icicle lights.

Long tables draped with brown cloths were brought to life with lime green and hot pink table runners and glass cylinders with either long-stemmed pink orchids in green rocks or Gerbera daisies in green gel. Each place setting had a brown favor box tied with green ribbon atop a pink napkin. LED lights, some submerged in water in glass cylinders, and votive candles gave the room a luminescent glow.

The three-tiered, square vanilla cake was coated with white fondant and accented with brown, green and pink polka dots and pink satin ribbon. On top: A cluster of pink Gerbera daisies and a picture of the newlyweds in a heart-shaped frame. The couple offered chocolate cupcakes with pink frosting, and a chocolate groom's cake in the shape of a Jeep.

A barbecue sauce fountain provided the centerpiece for a unique appetizer bar featuring chicken, meatballs, cocktail weenies, pinwheel rollups and pickle wraps. After the barbecue adventure, guests could help themselves to caramel popcorn, pretzels, crackers and Chex Mix.

“Tyler and I just sat back and took it all in,” the bride said. “It was sad for me, changing my last name and walking down the aisle with my dad, but I was also extremely excited to start my new life with my best friend. It really was one of the best days of our lives!”

VENDORS

Ceremony location: St. Patrick Catholic Church, O'Neill, Neb.

Reception location: Atkinson (Neb.) Community Center

Bridal gown: Bridal Traditions, Omaha

Tuxes: O'Neill Sport & Hobby Shop

Rings: Sartor Hamann Jewelers, Lincoln, and Brodkey's Jewelers

Hair: The Pamper House Salon & Day Spa, O'Neill

Florist: Days of Wine and Roses, O'Neill

Caterer: Doris's Diner & Lounge, Stuart, Neb.

Photography: Multi-Images Photography, Omaha

Transportation: Myers Luxury Coaches, Stuart

Rentals:  Tablecloths and napkins, AAA Rents, Omaha

Wedding planner: Michaela Braun, O'Neill

Travel agent: O'Neill Travelnow 

Favors: By the bride; boxes and ribbon from Michael's

Invitations/programs: By the bride; paper from Michael's

Music: Soloists: Susan Richardson, aunt of the bride, and Jessica Christo; pianist, Molly Chohon