Weddings: Blankenship – Ystad

Published 5:00 pm Thursday, September 24, 2009

Lisa Jean Blankenship of Sitka, Alaska, daughter of Brian and Annette Blankenship of Sitka, exchanged wedding vows with Christopher H. Ystad of Sitka on April 11, 2009, at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi Community House in Sitka. The groom is the son of Jay and Eileen Ystad of Astoria.

The bride was given in marriage by her parents. Kelly Pellett, a friend of the groom, performed the ceremony. A Universal Sand Ceremony was performed by Nini Hayes of Seattle. Also performing at the ceremony were musicians from Slack Tide, Jen Morrison, Joe Montagna and Peter Apathy. Guests attending came from Alaska, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming.

Maid of honor was Hayley Matteson of Sitka. Matron of honor was Jenny Blankenship of Sitka, the bride’s sister-in-law. Bridesmaids were Diana Twaddle and Amanda Baggen of Sitka and Shelly Cummings of Vancouver, Wash. Flower girls were Erin Blankenship, niece of the bride, and Elsie Yocum.

Best man was Adam Cave of Astoria. Groomsmen were Jamie Damon and Erik Nielson of Astoria and Eric Blankenship, brother of the bride, and Jeremy Twaddle, both of Sitka. Ring bearers were Vaughn and Zackery Blankenship, nephews of the bride. Ushers were Brian and Jeff Blankenship, brothers of the bride.

The bride is a 1999 graduate of Sitka High School and a 2004 graduate of Western Washington University. She is currently employed as a commercial fisherman aboard her father’s fishing vessel.

The groom graduated from Astoria High School in 2002 and Pacific Lutheran University in 2006. He is currently self-employed as a commercial fisherman aboard his own trolling vessel.

A reception was held after the ceremony at Harrigan Centennial Hall.

The couple reside in Sitka, and plan to take a two week cruise through the Panama Canal in the fall.