VOWS: WEDDING IS JUST FOR EDUCATION

Under the goal post at Cape Girardeau Central High School's Lou Muegge football field, Josh Crowell and Lynn Underwood were married Friday.

The CHS seniors exchanged mock vows. Underwood presented her groom with a candy ring, and Crowell surprised guests by actually kissing the bride ... on the cheek.

Students from their human relations class and study hall cheered and threw rice.

At the reception, catered by the high school's advanced foods class, the best man toasted the couple to "many minutes of happiness."

Pat Johnson, teacher of the family relations course and wedding consultant, said a mock wedding is held each semester as part of the course.

"We've covered choosing a mate, dating, engagement and now we are learning about marriage," Johnson said. "The textbook just briefly discusses marriage. I think the students learn a lot more by actually planning a wedding."

The class elected the bride and groom, an unlikely pair, Johnson said.

Underwood said, "We fought all the time, so I guess they thought it would be funny.

"We had a prenuptial agreement," she said. "Everything was mine. He gets to keep the dog, and that's only because I'm allergic to animals."

Crowell said he wanted the wedding party to wear togas for the ceremony. He settled for cowboy hats and jeans.

"I guess we call that a compromise," Underwood said.

Johnson explained that while students are supposed to have fun during the event, they are graded on their wedding performances.

So mistakes, like the wedding guests walking off the football field before the bride and groom were down the aisle, will count against the class grade.

The class planned music, decorations, photography and the reception. The Rev. Kim Ferguson of Cornerstone Assembly Church performed the ceremony.

Underwood said, "There is a lot more to planning a wedding than I thought. We didn't have all our dresses until last night."

Crowell added, "There seem to be a lot of last-minute things you have got to do."

Johnson said: "I hope they find that you can have a really nice wedding without spending a fortune. I hope they also realize how expensive a wedding can be."

In addition to learning the ins and outs of planning a wedding, students also discussed reasons why people should get married and things that might stop a marriage.

"We talked about things a couple should discuss before marriage children, in-laws, where they will live," Johnson said.

"It was fun, I guess," Crowell said.

Will the marriage last? "Well," Underwood said, "it will last until the end of the day."