Chelsey Nichole Droke, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Droke of Hornersville, Mo., and Ryan Keith Skelton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Skelton, were united in marriage at 5 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 11, 2007, at the Friendship Baptist Church. Bro. Derek Combs performed the double ring ceremony. Two eight foot white columns flanked by two six foot columns topped with flower arrangements provided a beautiful background for the ceremony. Bouquets of fresh flowers marked the pews.

Shannon Combs, pianist, played "Cannon and D" as the grandparents and mothers of the bride and groom were seated. The bridesmaids, flower girl and ring bearer entered to "With Trumpets and horns" while the traditional "Bridal Chorus" served as the processional for the bride to enter the church. Trent Broglin performed solos, singing "I Want to Grow Old With You" after the exchange of vows and "You Are the Love of My Life" during the lighting of the Unity Candle.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a white ivory Anjolique Cou'ture gown of Godavari silk. The fitted ruched bodice featured a strapless soft modified sweetheart neckline adorned with organza ivory embroidery over English net. The elongated torso was enhanced with ruching and pleats anchored with one single applique. The back echoed the same flora applique with silk covered buttons from the neckline to the waist. A full fit and flair skirt of Godavari silk flowed into a chapel train. The bride wore a scalloped beaded and embroidery trimmed matching veil. She carried a bouquet of forty pink, orange and yellow roses.

Mallory Droke served as maid of honor and bridesmaids were Caley Droke, Alicia Morton, Haley Foresythe, Laura Dorsey and Meagan Odle. They wore ivory leaver cotton lace halter tops accented by an ivory satin ribbon at the waist with a nutmeg satin back floor length taffeta bustle bubble skirt. Alex Glover was a junior bridesmaid and she wore a nutmeg satin back taffeta spaghetti strap dress with a bustled skirt and ivory satin ribbon at the waist. They carried bouquets of pink, orange and yellow petite roses.

Meadow McLardy, cousin of the bride, served as flower girl. She wore a white satin floor length dress with a bustled skirt. Will Glover, cousin of the bride, served as ring bearer. The grooms attendants were Alex Paquin, best man and groomsmen were Patrick Skelton, Skyler Droke, Dustin Hunter, Dillon Swafford, Wade Harris and James Raschke. They all wore traditional black tuxedos with black shirts, ivory satin vests and ivory ties. Their boutonnieres were roses.

Honored guests were Mr. and Mrs. Bud Miller and Mrs. Bette Droke, grandparents of the bride and Mr. and Mrs. Pat Skelton and Mrs. Carolyn Elkins, grandparents of the groom.

Aaron Edmonston, friend of the bride and Jerrad Duffel, friend of the groom, served as ushers. Laura Beth Bottoms and Jessica Huddleston, friends of the bride, attended the guestbook.

A reception was held at the American Legion in Kennett with Carol and Co. catering hor d'oeurves and Daryl Wilcoxson providing music for the event. Tables were covered in white tablecloths with brown overlays topped with candles and childhood photos of the bride and groom.

The bride's table featured a most unique wedding cake. Each layer was shaped and decorated as a colorfully wrapped package with fondant bows. The five layers appeared to be precariously perched one atop the other. The colors used for the layers were pink, yellow, cream, gold and blue with a large gold ribbon adorning the top of the cake. White columns with fresh floral arrangements provided the backdrop for the bride's table.

The groom's table featured a white cake decorated with the seal of the United States Navy.

The servers at the reception were Brook Shrum and Christina Taylor, friends of the bride.

The bride is a 2002 graduate of Senath-Hornersville High School and a 2007 graduate of Arkansas State University with a bachelor of science in mathematics. She is currently employed at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals in San Diego, Calif.

The groom is a 2004 graduate of Senath-Hornersville High School and he is currently serving in the United States Navy aboard the USS Boxer.

The couple enjoyed a honeymoon in Cancun, Mexico and now reside in El Cajon, Calif.

Paid announcement