Bennett - Hawk

Gwenda Stacey Bennett and Shaun David Hawk exchanged wedding vows Oct. 17, 2009, at St. Andrew Lutheran Church. The Rev. Paul Short performed the ceremony. Music was by soloist Brandon Hahs of Columbus, Ind.; and an ensemble including the bride; Michelle Bennett of Nashville, Tenn., Patricia Mothershead of Cape Girardeau, sisters of the bride; and Jocelyn Bennett of Cape Girardeau, sister-in-law of the bride. Organist was Matt Palisch of Jackson.

The bride is the daughter of Michael and Gwen Bennett of Cape Girardeau. The groom is the son of Bradley Hawk of Crystal Lake, Ill., and Sandra Gieson of Joplin, Mo.

Maid of honor was Michelle Bennett and matron of honor was Patricia Mothershead.

Best men were Brian Hawk of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., brother of the groom, and Gary Yavicoli of Kansas City, Mo. Ushers were Ross Bennett, brother of the bride, and Russ Mothershead, brother-in-law of the bride, both of Cape Girardeau, and Bryce Riemer of Crystal Lake, brother-in-law of the groom.

Bellringers, cousins of the bride, announced the beginning of the ceremony. They were Katie and Haley Bennett, Alayna Bowers, Megan Franklin, Katherine, Lily and Isabelle Dudley, and Charlie Kate Smith. Katie and Haley are daughters of David Bennett and Tammy Bennett of Franklin, Tenn. Alayna is the daughter of Rachael Robson of Lenexa, Kan. Megan is the daughter of Patrick and Jill Franklin of Fort Smith, Ark. Katherine, Lily and Isabelle are daughters of Scott and Suzanne Dudley of Columbia, Mo. Charlie Kate is the daughter of David and Kimberley Smith of Columbia.

Candles were lit in memory of loved ones by the groom; Sally Bennett of Knoxville, Tenn., cousin of the bride; and Samuel Stahly, son of Randall and Patricia Stahly of Cape Girardeau and cousin of the bride.

Scriptures were selected by the bride's mother, and Patricia Gieson, grandmother of the groom, and were read by Ross Bennett, and Jennifer Riemer of Crystal Lake, sister of the groom.

Flower girls were Eliana and Kalena Riemer and Cadance Hawk, nieces of the groom, and Caroline Bennett, niece of the bride. Ringbearer was Holden Hawk, nephew of the groom. Eliana and Kalena are daughters of Bryce and Jennifer Riemer; Cadance and Holden are children of Brian and Courtney Hawk; and Caroline is the daughter of Ross and Jocelyn Bennett.

The reception was held at the home of the bride's parents. Cake servers were Kathleen Lampitt of Columbia and Patricia Stahly, aunts of the bride.

The rehearsal dinner was held Oct. 16 at Cape Girardeau Country Club.

Mrs. Hawk is a 1992 graduate of Central High School. She received bachelor of science degrees in economics and statistics from the University of Missouri-Columbia in 1995, a juris doctorate from Southern Methodist University School of Law in 2000, and a master's degree in business administration from Southeast Missouri State University in 2007. She is president and CEO of Bennett Ventures in Kansas City, Mo., and is an instructor with Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions in Mission, Kan.

The groom is a 1989 graduate of Sterling High School in Sterling, Ill., and 1993 graduate of Collins College in Tempe, Ariz. He is art director with McCormick Co. in Kansas City.

The couple is residing in Kansas City.