KELSO, Mo. -- Alison Marie Miller and Nathan Robert Essner were married July 3, 2004, at St. Francis Xavier College Church on the campus of St. Louis University. The Rev. Mark G. Boyer performed the ceremony.

Lectors were Kristie Slinkard of Kelso, cousin of the groom, and Betty Campbell of Mascoutah, Ill., aunt of the bride. Petitions were read by Shirley Eftink of Kelso, aunt of the groom. Offertory gifts were presented by Arlene and Scott Baer of Trenton, Ill., godmother and uncle of the bride.

Eucharistic ministers were Anna Rose and Francis Bles of Kelso, godmother and uncle of the groom, and Lori Bles of Cape Girardeau, cousin of the groom. Sarah Heilig of Waterloo, Ill., served at the altar.

The bride is the daughter of Duane and Mary Kay Miller of Waterloo. The groom is the son of Robert P. and Karla Essner of Kelso.

Maid of honor was Lauren Miller of Waterloo, sister of the bride. Bridesmaids were Bonnie Essner of Chicago, sister of the groom; Amy Baer of Trenton, cousin of the bride; and Charity Welebir of Corona, Calif.

Lee Essner of Kelso was his brother's best man. Groomsmen were Brian Hulshof of St. Louis and Jason Slinkard of Kelso, cousins of the groom; and Chris Hof of St. Louis. Ushers were Dan and Michael Bles of Kelso, cousins of the groom; Nicholas Chambers of St. Louis, and Clayton Vance of San Clemente, Calif.

Candlelighters were Lori Goessling of Waterloo and Kate Hornberger of St. Louis.

Katharine Boxell and Alicia Carrico of Waterloo were guest book attendants. Program attendants were Michelle Hulshof of Kelso, cousin of the groom, and Jennifer Nooney of Belleville, Ill., cousin of the bride.

Following the ceremony, a dinner reception was held at Two Hearts Banquet Center in St. Louis.

The groom's parents hosted the rehearsal dinner July 2 at Joe Boccardi's Ristorante at the Coronado in St. Louis.

Mrs. Essner is a 2000 graduate of Gibault High School in Waterloo, and a 2003 graduate of St. Louis University. She is an account executive with Infinity Broadcasting in St. Louis.

The groom is a 1999 graduate of Notre Dame Regional High School in Cape Girardeau, and a 2003 graduate of St. Louis University. He is a market analyst with Anheuser-Busch Inc. in St. Louis.

After a wedding trip to Lake Tahoe, Nev., the couple is residing in Waterloo.