Natasha Marie Bjork Avila and Jarod Micheal Beneke were united in marriage on Sept. 24 at the Community Christian Church in Great Bend in a double ring ceremony officiated by pastor Jack Sweany. Mother of the bride is Jennifer Bjork Adams of Great Bend. Parents of the groom are Corky and Kathy Bloom of Hutchinson.
Given in marriage by her mother, the bride wore a fitted strapless floor length gown of princess satin with sequins of pearls and silver bugle beads. The train featured split satin tails with an underskirt of floral lace with a beaded lace edge. He headpiece was a rhinestone tiara with a blusher length veil. She carried a bouquet of red roses trimmed with white beaded pearls.
Maid of honor was Nataleigh Bjork, twin sister of the bride, of Great Bend. Bridesmaids were Angela Allen, and Pennie Bjork, sister of the bride, both of Great Bend, Christina Schild, sister of the bride, of Washington, Jenna Beneke, sister of the groom of Wichita, and Laura Trout of Bushton. They wore strapless fitting floor length black gowns with red sashes. They carried bouquets of white roses trimmed with black and red beaded pearls.
Best man was Allen Beneke, uncle of the groom, of Valley Center. Groomsmen were Jordan Avila, son of the bride, Travis Schnelle, Jose Luis Varela, all of Great Bend, Tom Fehlhafer of Bonner Springs and Larry Trout of Bushton.
Ushers were David Zordel of Kansas City and Steven Allen of Great Bend.
Flower girl/miniature bride was Makinzie Beneke, daughter of the couple, of Great Bend. Ringbearer was Travis Schnelle Jr., of Great Bend.
Candlelighters were Breanne Allen and Breanna Schnelle, both of Great Bend.
Vocalists were Corky Bloom and Melanie Ryan.
The bride is a 2000 graduate of Great Bend High School. She is employed as a department manager at Walmart in Great Bend.
The groom is a 2001 graduate of Centre High School in Lost Springs, He graduated from Southwestern College in Winfield in 2006. He is an assistant manager at the Kwik Shop in Great Bend.
After a honeymoon in Colorado and Las Vegas, Nev. the couple resides in Great Bend.