Sarah & Josh

Broadway baby marrys her leading man.

By Christine Galt

Sarah Turner and Josh Mertz were a match from the start. They met in 2004 during a national tour of Troika Entertainment's "Crazy for You." She was Irene and he was Lance, lovers who tie the knot at the close of the show after a seductive rendition of "Naughty Baby."

Three years later, Sarah went to Arizona to see Josh in a second tour of "Crazy for You." He professed his love by pulling her onto the stage and offering a familiar refrain: "Every day you teach me about real love. My cupcake, my redhead, my naughty baby, my sweet, embraceable you."

Josh, 36, and Sarah, 31, shared the spotlight again in October. This time it was for their wedding ceremony at St. John Catholic Church on the Creighton University campus in Omaha. The celebration continued with a retro-themed reception at the Scoular Building Ballroom.

Sarah grew up in Omaha. Josh is a Wisconsin native.

"She's a girl who's seen the world," Maureen Turner said of her daughter. "But she never considered any place but home for her wedding."

Sarah wore a 1950s-inspired tea-length dress with three-quarter-length sleeves created by Mary Adams, a vintage seamstress in New York. Sarah's hair, makeup and bubble veil matched the period.

"She looked like a silken cupcake," Maureen said of the bride. There was only one problem: "When it came time to sit down, my skirt came up to my nose," Sarah said, laughing at the memory of the fullness of the crinoline.

Vintage vocalist Michael Walker serenaded guests as they entered the ballroom, creating a supper club atmosphere.

Peacock feathers - a symbol of good luck and well-being - were incorporated into the reception centerpieces, as well as the bridal bouquet and the groom's boutonniere. Sarah even carried a peacock feather purse, a treasured find in London.

Guests dined on TV dinners of mashed potatoes, pot roast, green beans and macaroni. "It really came off better than I imagined," the bride's mother admitted. "The caterer found aluminum trays and we personalized them. People loved it."

In true Broadway fashion, Sarah and Josh performed a Johnny Cash and June Carter duet. Then Sarah surprised Josh with a sultry rendition of "Fly Me to the Moon."

"I was afraid that I wouldn't get through it, that I would start crying," Sarah said. "But that's who we are. A couple of cheesy performers."

The couple's engagement photos - enlarged like Broadway playbills - were used throughout the ballroom.

The cake was topped with a miniature replica of the Chrysler Building and iced with an outline of the NYC skyline.

Sarah created a photo display of seven important women in her life and baked a signature cookie for each that was given to guests as a party favor. "It was really touching," Maureen said.

"Nothing was taken for granted in this wedding," the bride said.

The dance portion of the evening began with a video clip of a Rolling Stones concert on a giant screen. "That was the best," Sarah said. "The floor got packed. You couldn't move."

Sarah and Josh took a brief honeymoon to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York. They relaxed, went to a spa and indulged at the Culinary Institute. They plan an extended honeymoon in Italy.

As for the wedding, Sarah says she wouldn't have done anything differently. "The excitement for me was seeing it come together and watching everyone enjoy it."

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Chelsey & Mike

Ceremony doesn't skip a beat

By Christine Galt

Chelsey Williams, 22, dreamed of getting married near a creek and riding a horse into the sunset. Instead, she opted for exchanging vows in a garden and nuzzling a Chihuahua.

As it turned out, the pooch made quite an impression as she trotted down the aisle in her pink tutu during Chelsey's marriage to Mike Zimmerman on July 26, 2008, at the Fountains Ballroom near Glenwood, Iowa.

The pooch was on her best behavior - until nature called. "She pooped halfway down the aisle," Chelsey recalled. "That was kind of embarrassing."

And not likely to be forgotten by Mike and Chelsey or their guests.

The couple's colors of azalea, yellow and chocolate brown reflected their personalities - optimistic and upbeat.

Two weeks earlier, Mike, 23, had undergone surgery to correct ventricular tachycardia, or rapid heartbeat, a condition he had had since high school.

"It was kind of a letdown for him," Chelsey said. "But he's not the type to let that affect him. A challenge like that either makes your relationship stronger or tears you apart."

It was a case of the former for the Zimmermans.

Mike's sister, who is stationed in Iraq, was unable to attend the ceremony. Still, "everyone was upbeat, young and old," the bride said.

Chelsey's grandma, intent on sticking around for the couple's first dance, was surprised when the beat swiftly changed from Big and Rich's "Lost in This Moment" to the early '90s rap "Baby Got Back" by Sir Mix-a-Lot.

The newlyweds, to the surprise of their guests, had choreographed a routine to the popular hip-hop song.

"We wanted to do something a little different and fun," Chelsey said. "Everyone got a kick out of it."

Also for fun, the groom's cake was topped with Basketball Barbie walking a Chihuahua and dragging Dr. Ken down the aisle. Chelsey plays basketball at Dana College in Blair, Neb., and Mike is a pre-med student at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

They currently live in Omaha, but expect to move to Des Moines once they graduate so Mike can attend podiatry school.

The newlyweds honeymooned in Jamaica, but Mike was back in the hospital as soon as they returned.

"We were really lucky nothing medical happened in Jamaica," the bride said.

All in all, everything worked out. "I thought it went perfectly," Chelsey said. "Of course there were little ups and downs, but I couldn't ask for a better wedding."

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Rishling Siblings

Quadrupling the I do's

By Christine Galt

One after another, they said their "I do's." For siblings who have always been close, sharing a wedding day seemed like the natural thing to do.

So they did - in August at Indian Creek Golf Course in Omaha. The Rishling siblings - Lisa, Linda, Josh and Laura - shared the ceremony, the reception, the cake-cutting, the bouquet toss and the memories.

The idea began as a joke a year ago at Thanksgiving dinner. The more the family and their future spouses talked, the sweeter the idea became.

For Lisa Rishling, 33, and Carlos Esparza, 33, the wedding highlighted a 15-year relationship that produced three sons whom they cherish.

Laura Rishling, 25, and Phil Malone, 26, had been together nine years and had a daughter, Mailey.

Linda Rishling, 30, and Jeromy Nielsen, 33, were high school sweethearts who married in September 1997, had a son and separated. Five years later, they rekindled their romance and decided to remarry.

Josh Rishling, 28, and Theresa Griffin, 26, began dating in April 1997. They are expecting their first child in June.

Cliff Rishling walked each of his daughters down the aisle.

"My father was pretty emotional and out of breath by the last one,'' Laura said.

Theresa Griffin was escorted by her father, Alan Smith.

The wedding colors were red, black, silver and white but each groom and each bride personalized their attire.

The couples' children participated as flower girls and ring bearers.

The wedding's unique circumstances attracted national media attention, including a 4 a.m. appearance on "Good Morning America" the day of the wedding. "I was really nervous," Theresa recalled. "We only had two hours of sleep and we were exhausted."

The interview and the ceremony went smoothly. "We were just so happy,'' Laura said. "I cried through the vows and the first dances."

To commemorate a favorite pasttime, the grooms' cake was decorated with logos of favorite NFL teams. The men playfully crouched in a three-point football stance and raced to be the first to toss his garter.

The reception was so large, "we ran out of food,'' Laura said. "It was a huge event." The turnout was twice the number expected. By the end of the reception, the food crisis was forgotten.

Linda said her favorite part of the wedding was celebrating it with her siblings and loved ones.

For Linda, "It kind of felt like it was out of a movie or something. It was just so beautiful, it didn't feel real.''

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Lauren & Derrek

Finding love across the pond

By Teresa Forbes

A trip across the pond sealed the fate of Lauren Chivers and Derrek Krummel, high school acquaintances who fell in love in England.

"We knew we were right for each other when we took a trip to England after our senior year. Derrek got to see where I grew up and meet all of my friends and family," Lauren said.

Lauren, 24, was born in Basingstoke, about 50 miles southwest of London. She came to the United States when she was 8 after her father was transferred to the United States for business.

Derrek, 25, grew up in Hancock, Iowa.

The pair met during their junior year in Atlantic, Iowa. England has played a significant role in their relationship. New Year's Eve 2006, Derrek went to Instow Village, where Lauren was visiting family during the holidays.

"It was pouring down rain when I saw Derrek waiting for me on the coast of Instow," Lauren recalled. "He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him."

But before he popped the question, Derrek had sought permission from Lauren's father.

The couple celebrated their engagement with family and friends at a costume party.

Lauren and Derrek were married in an outdoor ceremony May 24, 2008, at Thompson Alumni Center at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. They chose Omaha for its proximity to their respective hometowns.

The couple's wedding blended English and Yankee traditions like hats, horseshoes and hydrangeas.

Clocks set to Omaha and London time were set on tables, and elegant signage noted the distance between Omaha and Basingstoke and other towns that held significance for the couple.

Several female guests wore hats in keeping with British tradition for social occasions.

"We didn't ask the ladies to wear them, but they knew it was going to be a mix of English and American traditions," Lauren said. "The English ladies carefully transported their hats as carry-on luggage."

Lauren and Derrek symbolized the blending of their lives in a sand ceremony using granules from the beaches of Cape Cod and Instow Village. At the conclusion of their vows, guests showered the couple with lavender and hydrangea petals held in pretty paper cones hung from the backs of chairs.

Guests received favor boxes filled with American cookies made by Derrek's grandmother and English tea bagged by Lauren's mother.

An aunt from Basingstoke presented the couple with horseshoes, a symbol of good luck in England.

For Lauren and Derrek, the highlight of the wedding involved pianists Tony Bohnenkamp and Jared Hall, both of Des Moines. "They played classical music for our outdoor ceremony, including the traditional British hymn, 'Jerusalem,' " Lauren said.

For the reception, they cranked it up a notch with a dueling piano routine. "It brought everyone to their feet for the whole evening," the bride said.

The newlyweds spent a week at Lake of the Ozarks in Missouri with family and friends from England.

"We don't get to see them often, so it was great" being together, Lauren said.

The Krummels are making their home in Kansas City, Mo.

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Tina & Zach

The father of the bride creates a perfect panorama for Tina and Zach's scenic Underwood, Iowa, wedding.

Photos: LM Photography
Flowers: Hy-Vee
Bride's Gown: Thomcyn's Formal Attire
Rentals: Gibbs Rental
Band: Dave Barger and the Master Jammers

Tina Bonacci couldn't imagine a more beautiful setting for her wedding than her parents' rural Iowa home.

Her dreams came true Sept. 8 2007, when she and Zach Dice exchanged their vows in an afternoon ceremony against a backdrop of rolling hills and late-summer hues.

The ceremony was conducted on a platform specially built by Tina's father.

After the ceremony, the bridal party and guests moved to the family's two-story barn for a picnic feast and dancing to music by a live band.

The bride and her attendants got ready for the ceremony in an upstairs bedroom of the farmhouse.

"My most memorable moment", the bride said, "was watching Zach below, greeting our guests and trying not to look up in the window."

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Jenny & Joel 06.23.07

Berlin World Cup kicks engagement into high gear

Ceremony Location: Cathedral of the Risen Christ, Lincoln
Reception Location: Country Club of Lincoln
Bridal Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Bridesmaid's Dresses: Jim Hjelm
Tuxedos: Custom-tailored black Italian tuxes, Emsud's Expert Alterations in Lincoln
Makeup: In-home Chanel makeup application by Claudia Messineo of
Lincoln Bride and Mother of the Bride Hair: Devonna Primavera of Lincoln
Bridal Party Hair: Tranquility Salon in Lincoln
Bride's Ring: Tiffany-style with round diamond passed down from Joel's late father ; Borsheim's wedding band Groom's Ring: Two-tone brushed-andpolished titanium band with diamonds
Flowers: Mike Hillis of Hillis & Company, Lincoln
Caterer: Country Club of Lincoln
Cake: Donna Roehrs of Lincoln
Soloist: Steve Kocher of Chicago, friend of the groom
Instrumentalists: Summit String Quartet of Lincoln
Organist: Dave Schmidt of Lincoln
Trumpet: Tom Kelly of Lincoln
Reception Music: Pam and the Pearls of Omaha
Photography: Geoff Johnson, Omaha
Videography: Special Images, Omaha
Transportation: VIP Limo of Lincoln
Invitations/Programs: Paper Panache in Lincoln created a neutral palette of off-white letterpress on pure cotton rag paper by Elum.
Graphic Designer: Carla Roscoe of Moon Design in Lincoln helped with design of menu cards, ceremony programs, seating chart and monogram.
Rentals: United Rental and AAA Rents & Event Services
Travel Agent: Melissa Blue of Blue Hawaii Vacations in California
Wedding Planner: Tracey Fricke of Special Occasion by Design in Omaha and Maryanne Heiser, mother of the bride
Favors: Heart-shaped butter cream sugar cookies with white frosting

Oprah Winfrey once referred to St. Patrick's Church in downtown Chicago as "the place to meet your match." Jenny Heiser and Joel Pilka would agree. Both were invited and felt compelled to attend a block-party fundraiser for the historic church. Jenny and Joel bumped into each other, chatted, and ultimately exchanged phone numbers. Three months later, their paths crossed again at a black-tie fundraiser and they agreed to get together the following week.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Jenny left Chicago to pursue a master's degree in advertising, marketing and communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln but maintained a long-distance relationship with Joel. After two years of dating, Joel proposed.

"I was in Germany for a conference. The World Cup soccer competition was in Berlin that year and Joel decided to fly in with friends to see some of the matches," Jenny said. After meeting up in Berlin, Joel took Jenny to a quaint Italian bistro in a quiet alley.

"Our candlelit table was outside on the cobblestones," Jenny said. During the meal, Joel excused himself. When he returned, he moved his chair aside, looked at Jenny and proposed. "I threw my face in my hands," she said. "I was so emotional I don't exactly remember what he said." After dinner, they spent the rest of the night walking the streets of Berlin yelling, "We're engaged."

Exactly a year after proposing, Jenny and Joel were married June 23, 2007. The ceremony was held at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln, with the reception at the Country Club of Lincoln.

The atmosphere of the day was vintage garden with a contemporary feel inspired by romantic overtones and summer neutrals using garden greens, whites, off-whites and hints of pink with golden accents.

Jenny carried a just-picked bouquet with stems wrapped in satin ribbon and her grandmother's rosary. Her bouquet included clematis flown in from California, garden roses, ranunculus, green mini-cymbidium orchid blossoms, ladies mantel, and white and green hydrangea.

Emphasizing the garden motif, the room was adorned with boxwood shrubbery and large trees twinkling with hundreds of tiny white lights. The Chivari opera chairs had sheer gold organza covers.

The chandeliers were wrapped with Southern smilez and white clematis, while the dining tables were draped in off-white linens with a silk overlay. The centerpieces - varying in style and height - utilized the same flowers found in the bridal bouquet and basked in the warm glow offered by clusters of votive candles.

Jenny wore a fitted, strapless crème Chantilly lace gown with a latte silk underlay by Monique Lhuillier.

During the day, she wore an offwhite ribbon with an antique broach made of Swarovski crystals and seeded pearls. For the reception, Jenny switched to a fitted belt encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

Joel made the day complete with the debut of their wedding song, which he wrote, sang and co-produced with Derrick Procell of Chicago.

"A Perfect Day" brought tears to everyone's eyes by the end of the couple's first dance.

"I knew he was up to something because he kept changing our first-dance song. He didn't seem to care what it would be, even up until the last moment.''

Jenny and Joel both come from large families and they wanted to be sure everyone was involved in the events of the day. A photograph of the cousins, bridal party and grandparents captured the essence of family tradition and togetherness.

The couple honeymooned in Maui before making their home in Illinois.

"I feel so fortunate to have been able to have such a special day. It could not have been possible without the support of family, friends, and guests who came from all over the country," Jenny said. "This was more than I could have ever imagined. We had such a good time. I almost want to do it all over again!"

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Erin & Jeremy Stoll 10.12.07

Play rehearsal a prelude to matrimony

Ceremony location: The Magnolia Hotel
Reception location: The Magnolia Hotel
Bridal Gown: Justin Alexander, Bridal Traditions
Bridesmaid Dresses: Eden Bridesmaids, J. Marie's, Lincoln
Tuxedos: Men's Warehouse
Hair: Morgan Evers, Avalon Suites
Makeup: Heather Artz, W Salon, Lincoln
Rings: Goldsmith Silversmith
Flowers: Paul at Simply Flowers, Center Mall
Cake: Michaela Hug-Nelson, La-Charlotte
Music: iTunes. Bride's brother was the DJ; Friends chose their favorite songs.
Photography: Geoff Johnson Photography
Invitations/Programs: Adam Nielsen, bi-'st O Design
Travel Agent: Diane Fischer, Regency Travel
Wedding Planner: Mindell Rethwisch, Magnolia Hotel
Favors: Adam Nielsen designed matchbooks for the couple, who collect them. Out-of-town guests staying at the hotel received welcome bags filled with information about the Old Market, Nebraska playing cards, specialty nuts and candy, and facial tissue.

Erin Joekel was ready to give up on men until she was cast in "Dogs Playing Poker," a benefit for the Nebraska Humane Society. The show still needed a leading man when someone suggested Jeremy Stoll, who had been described to Erin as "tall and good-looking."

Erin, sensing a matchmaking attempt, announced that she was done with men. "I showed up for rehearsal and the first person I saw was Jeremy. I thought, 'OK, maybe I'm not totally done with men.'"

After three rehearsals, Erin invited Jeremy out for a drink. "He had amazing eyes. And I loved his voice. He has a deep voice that makes me melt. He told me he was a teacher and that really touched me."

Jeremy found Erin beautiful, elegant, humorous and well-spoken. It was an instant attraction.

The coupled dated for 15 months before Jeremy proposed in Colorado on New Year's Eve. It was about 1 a.m. when Jeremy suggested they go for a walk. "I didn't want to go because it was freezing," Erin recalls. They walked to the Visitor's Center Square in Breckenridge and stopped on a bridge crossing over a small brook. The mountains were bathed in moonlight. "It was a beautiful, clear night. All the Christmas lights were on and there was snow."

Jeremy was standing with his arms around her when she suggested they make New Year's resolutions. "He said, 'Good idea' and pulled off my glove and put the ring on my finger. I think I screamed and then cried and
starting jumping up and down."

Erin and Jeremy were married Oct. 12, 2007, in the courtyard of the Magnolia Hotel in Omaha. A reception followed in the ballroom. Instead of exchanging traditional vows, the couple expressed their gratitude for one another. "We each chose three things that we appreciated and loved about each other."

During the lighting of the unity candle, each guest received a small, tapered candle. Jeremy's sister and a close friend walked down the center aisle, lighting the first candle in each row. Guests, in turn, lit the next person's candle in their row. The glow spread from the back of the courtyard to the wedding couple's parents in the front row. Jeremy and Erin each lit a candle from their parents' candles and then lit the unity candle as a couple.

Their invitation let guests know this would be a unique ceremony. The theme for their wedding, "Thank you for being," came from a card Erin had sent Jeremy during their courtship.

Their wedding colors were black and white. Their flowers: Red and white ranunculus and ornithogalums. The reception tables were graced with white lilies in tall vases and clusters of white carnations in short vases wrapped in black fabric.

Conversation cards on black tablecloths helped guests break the ice. A photo booth complete with funny hats and props kept the early stages of the reception lively; a projection screen outside the booth showed guests waiting in line what was happening inside the booth. "We got some amazing pictures. Jeremy's grandma even got in there and put on Viking horns." The candids were placed in the guestbook and guests were encouraged to write messages beside their photos.

"Our wedding was better than I could have imagined," Erin said.

"In every picture, I have the biggest, craziest smile on my face because I was so happy."

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