Surnames: Sommer, Reynolds, Hoffmann, Tesmer, Reeves, Mesalk, Mielke, Becker, Stelsel, Schroeder

----Sources: Colby Phonograph (Colby, Clark County, Wis.) 07/05/1951

Sommer, Elayne (Marriage - 30 June 1951)

In a solemn and beautiful candlelight ceremony in Zion Lutheran church in Colby, Wisconsin Saturday evening at 7:00 o’clock, Miss Elayne Sommer, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Sommer of Unity, and Thomas Reynolds, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Reynolds of Dorchester, pledged their vows in the chancel in a double ring ceremony with Rev. O. H. Hoffmann performing the rites. During the service, Woodrow Tesmer sang "Oh, Promise Me" and "The Lord’s Prayer," accompanied by Mrs. Tesmer at the piano.

As the bride, on the arms of her father, walked down the white carpeted aisle to the altar, radiant with gleaming candlelight and decorated with baskets of flowers, Miss Patricia Reeves played the bridal march.

The bride designed her own dress which was made by her mother. The bodice, gracefully moulded by heavy white bridal satin, was detailed with a deeply carved neckline which accented a yoke with points at front and back and was edged with wide ruffled lace, matching that of her veil. The long, satin sleeved tapered to graceful points which closed with tiny satin covered buttons which also closed the back of the dress. The entire skirt was covered with sheer nylon ruffles over satin, cascading to the floor to form a long train. At the extreme end of her ruffled train were lace medallions studded with rhinestones. She wore a finger-tip veil of nylon bordered with scalloped lace. She secured the veil, which were made to a halo of orange blossoms and seed pearls, which her mother wore on her wedding day. Lace medallions, studded with rhinestones, were fastened to the veil to match those on her train. To carry out the traditional something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue, the bride tucked a silk handkerchief, with wine edging into her bridal bouquet. This heirloom belonged to her paternal grand mother which she carried on her wedding day over 50 years ago. For something borrowed, she wore the single strand pearl necklace belonging to her maternal grand mother and for something blue she sewed rows of blue bows on the ruffle of her slip. She carried a bouquet of American beauty roses tied with white satin streamers.

Miss Marcella Mesalk of Wausau, a cousin of the bride, as maid of honor wore a gown of nile green fashioned with a double net skirt over satin, a single band of satin circled the hoop skirt. The waistline was accented by a wide satin sash which tied at the back forming a large bow. The bodice of lace had a boat neckline edged with satin and row of tiny satin covered buttons extending down the front. She wore matching lace mitts and a large picture hat.

Miss Evelyn Mielke of Colby, a friend of the bride, served as bridesmaid. Her costume was also of Nile green identical to that of the maid of honor. The hats were designed and made by Miss Mielke. The attendants wore three strand pearl chokers, gifts of the bride, and carried arm bouquets of pink carnations and yellow gladioli tied with Nile green ribbon to match their dresses.

Dorothy Becker, who served as flower girl, wore a dress of white net over satin, featuring a hoop skirt with three scallops at center and side where pink satin rosettes were fastened. She wore a halo of white flowers and pleated net, tied with a large white bow. She carried a white heart-shaped satin pillow edged with lace to which were fastened roses and forget-me-nots, tied with pink streamers. Completing her costume, she wore a gold heart-shaped locket, a gift of the bride.

Marvin Sommer, only brother of the bride, as ringbearer, carried the rings on a pillow of satin, edged with pleated net. The rings nestled in white rosettes and were tied with a blue ribbon.

Attendants of the groom were Arthur Schroeder of Spencer, cousin of the bride, as best man and Harvey Stevens of Dorchester as groomsman. Wilbert Mesalk of Wausau, cousin of the bride, and Leonard Stelsel of Minneapolis, cousin of the groom, served as ushers.

The bride’s mother was present attired in a dress of aqua over satin with pink and white accessories. Pinned to her shoulder was a corsage of pink and white carnations. The mother of the groom wore a pink dress with white accessories and wore a corsage of yellow carnations. The bride’s grand mother also was an honored guest and wore a corsage consisting of white carnations.

Immediately after the ceremony, a reception was held at the bride’s home. In the evening, a dance was held at Walter’s pavilion at Colby, Wis. Following the dance, a luncheon was held at the bride’s home. The living room was decorated with colored streamers and centered with a large white bell. A three-tiered wedding cake, topped with a miniature bride and groom under a large white veil, with sugar roses and white sugar bells, reposed on a table covered with antique linen and was flanked on both sides with tall, white candles. Guests present were from Chicago, Milwaukee, Racine, Abbotsford, Dorchester, Medford, Stetsonville, Athens, Wausau, Spencer, Rib Lake, Eau Claire, Loyal, Stevens Point and Minneapolis, Minn.

As the couple left on their honeymoon to the northern lakes, the bride was wearing a cool green organdy dress which she made for the occasion and pinned to her shoulder was a corsage of roses from her bridal bouquet.

After August 1st, the couple will be at home to friends in Dorchester where the groom is employed as a cheesemaker.