Melissa and Michael Rakes

Melissa Lee McArdle and G. Michael Rakes were united in marriage June 17, 2006 at Keeneland’s Phoenix Room in Lexington, Kentucky with Jason Mehler officiating.
The bride is the daughter of John and Charleyne McArdle of Lexington. The groom is the son of Sandra and Frank Atkins of Williamsburg.
The matron of honor was Melanie Sears, the maid of honor was Tracy Petrucelli, and the bridesmaids were Tavin Feheley, Autumn Nickels and Angie Smith, all friends of the bride. The flower girl was Presley Whitaker and the ring bearer was Carter Eckhardt.
W. Bryan Rakes, brother of the groom, served as best man. The groomsmen were Chad Eckhardt, Jeremy Gibson, Peter Kiernan, friends of the groom, and Jeff McArdle and John McArdle, brothers of the bride.
Music was provided by Clara Pope, aunt of the groom, who played the harp and Ryland Pope, cousin of the groom, who sang.
After a honeymoon cruise to Alaska, the couple is residing in Lexington. The bride is a special education teacher in the Jessamine County School System, and the groom is a mechanical engineer with Kerr Greulich in Louisville.