Ditto, Vernon united in marriage

Christopher Paul Vernon and Denise Dorthea Ditto were united in marriage on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, in Newton. Officiating at the wedding ceremony was the Rev. Tiare Mathison of the First Presbyterian Church in Newton.

The bride is the daughter of Floyd and Doris Ditto of Audubon. The groom is the son of Bill and Marilyn Vernon of Newton and Naples, Fla.

Dalena Ditto-Makinster, sister of the bride, served as matron of honor. Rick Vernon, brother of the groom, served as the best man. Whitney Critchfield and Jane Hadley Critchfield, nieces of the groom, were the flower girls, and Landon Makinster, nephew of the bride, was the ring bearer.

Cameron Vernon, brother of the groom, and Marshall Critchfield, brother-in-law of the groom, served as ushers. Teri Olson, friend of the couple, was the bride’s personal attendant.

Selected scripture readings were read by Stephanie Critchfield, sister of the groom. Special original songs were performed by Dalena Ditto-Makinster, also a performer of her own country music variety show in Branson, Mo.

A reception and dance followed the ceremony at Sugar Grove Vineyards outside of Newton. Host couples were Marc and Kendra Essink of Bondurant and Mike and Melissa Simmons of Lincoln, Neb., friends of the couple.

Denise is a graduate of William Penn University and works as a marketing research analyst with FBL Financial Group in West Des Moines. Chris is a graduate of Northwestern University and also holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern in Evanston, Ill. Chris is the President/COO of The Vernon Company in Newton.

Following a 12-day honeymoon to Canada and several northeastern states (Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine), the couple resides in Des Moines.