It was quite a line up of participants for Mary Kennedy and Matt Athey’s wedding last October. In case you don’t recognize it, they are standing on the bridge over Leland Parkway. The lineup includes the officiant, personal attendants, ushers, bridesmaids, matron of honor, bride and groom, groomsmen, more ushers and, in light blue shirts the ‘Something Borrowed Blue Crew, and parents. In the front, flower girls and a ring bearer.

Mary Kennedy (now Mary Athey) lived in Blue Earth and is the Blue Earth city administrator. Matt Athey lived in North Mankato and works at Corporate Graphics a division of Taylor Corp.

They met on a dating app about three years ago. But it is possible they might have known of each other many years ago.

“Our dads worked for the same company, selling hearing aids, when we were kids and they were friends,” Mary says. “It is possible that our family’s Christmas cards were on each other’s refrigerators back then.”

The couple started dating and eventually the big day happened.

“We went to JD’s Hideaway in Mankato with some friends, back on March 30 last year,” Mary recalls. “We were trying out throwing axes, because it sounded like it might be fun and exciting.”

Then it got more exciting. Matt dropped down on a knee and pulled out the ring and asked her to marry him.

She said yes.

“All our friends who were there knew it was going to happen,” Mary says. “But not me. I was so surprised. It was very fun.”

Then it was time to plan the wedding.

“We did it all in six months,” Mary says. “All the planning. The wedding was on Oct. 19, and we wanted a pretty traditional wedding.”

They decided that the wedding would be in Blue Earth, and Mary wanted to have as much of the necessary items supplied by people and merchants in the Blue Earth and Faribault County area.

The ceremony was at Hope United Methodist Church in Blue Earth. The reception was at 10 Talents Arts Center in Blue Earth.

“My wedding dress came from The Silhouette in Easton and our rings came from Julee’s Jewelry in Mankato and from Manly Bands online,” Mary says. “We used Zak Rivers Photography.”

The other items for a wedding were also on the list to get done, like the flowers.

“We used Sola Wood Flowers and corsages from Gartzke’s,” Mary relates. “And we got 20 potted mums that we purchased in Northern Iowa, and my sister cared for them until my wedding.”

Then there are all the other plans that have to be made. Who will be in the wedding itself?

“We had seven attendants each, plus ushers, ring bearers, flower girls, personal attendants and my nephews served as my “Something Blue Crew,” Mary explains. “And my oldest nephew, Max, was the officiant at the wedding.”

Nicky Bell took care of Mary’s makeup and her hair was done at Refresh Salon in Blue Earth.

Celie Holland was the wedding singer and the reception entertainment was provided by local band Steele Prairie. The reception food, a pasta dish, was from HyVee, plus the desert was rolling cones from Cedar Inn in Blue Earth.

“We had at least 300 guests at the reception,” Mary says. “And it was really fun.”

There was plenty of family there, as well. Mary has three siblings and two step-siblings and six nieces and nephews. Matt has three siblings and also has six nieces and nephews.

Mary’s sister, Amy Schaeffer, served as matron of honor.

As far as a honeymoon goes, the couple is still planning it, Mary says.

“We did get a vacation package when we bought the rings,” Mary says. “We will probably take a short cruise, at some time.”