Erika Bender & Chris Burton
Erika Jensen Bender and Christopher David Burton were united in the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony on April 20 in Perkins Chapel at Southern Methodist University. The nuptial Mass was celebrated by Father Anthony Lackland. Following the ceremony, the couple, their families, and guests celebrated with dinner and dancing at the Dallas Country Club.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Garesche Bender of University Park. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Irving Frederick Jensen Jr. of Sioux City, Iowa, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Richard Joseph Bender of St. Louis.
The groom is the son of Dr. Karen and Mr. Michael David Burton of Dallas. He is the grandson of Mrs. Helen Louise Kelly Burton of Denison, Texas, the late Mr. Mike Spencer Burton Jr., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Saul Poliner.
For her wedding, the bride selected a gown designed by Romona Keveza. It was created of silk taffeta and featured a wrapped shoulder, accented by a looped bow, and pleated ruching that descended the entire length of the mermaid-silhouette gown, cascading into a chapel-length train. Two sashes fell from the shoulder bow and extended past the train, creating a dramatic extension to the gown. The bride’s cathedral-length veil was a family heirloom of antique Belgian lace. The veil was first worn in 1942 by the bride’s cousin and worn again in 1983 by the bride’s mother. The bridal bouquet was white peonies surrounded by a monogrammed satin cuff and a gold-and-sapphire bee pin.
The bride’s second gown, worn for the reception, was designed by Elizabeth Rosbottom and featured handmade blue lace on a fitted bodice with ivory-satin floor-length skirt and bow at the waist.
The bride was given in marriage by her parents. Her father escorted her down the aisle. Attending as maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Carolyn Bekins Bender. The matron of honor was Christine Leigh Pederson. Bridesmaids included Eva Claire Dunlap, Elizabeth Ann Herbert, Lauren Bailey Huzinec, Mary Stephanie Kirkbride, Emily Katherine Means, Elizabeth Mills Sands, and Amanda Leigh Shafer. Members of the house party were Christian Lambert Bender, Lea Francis Bender, Katherine Woolworth Mayne, and Nicole Kent Vakulskas.
The scripture readers were the Rev. Richard Joseph Bender Jr. and Carolyn Bekins Bender. Randall and Kathleen Poliner, aunt and uncle of the groom, presided over the presentation of the Eucharistic gifts. Katherine Woolworth Mayne was the violinist.
Assisting as best man was the groom’s brother, Kevin Michael Burton. Groomsmen included Robert Garesche Bender Jr., Ryan Robert Bauerle, Aaron Francis Buchbinder, Michael Daniel, Michael Lawrence Foster, Brian Patrick Horan, Mark Thomas Stephens, and Richard Ian VanEvery.
The bride is a graduate of Highland Park High School. She received her Bachelor of Art from Southern Methodist University in 2010. The bride is a finance manager for Sewell Lexus.
The groom is a graduate of Jesuit College Preparatory School. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration from the SMU Cox School of Business. He is a senior accountant at Montgomery Coscia Greilich LLP.
After a wedding trip to St. Lucia, the couple resides in Dallas.
