Melissa Jane Erickson-Rowe and Robert James Beverage were married Sept. 16, 2007, on the front yard of the bride's best friend from high school on Greenhorn Road in Grass Valley.

Special guests included the parents of the bride and groom.

The bride wore an ivory gown with a lavender beaded floral print on the bodice and train. The bride, maid of honor and the bride's son, who gave her away, were all barefoot.

The bridesmaid was Bobbie Marie Rowe. The groomsman was Paul Hawkins. Hap Rowe, the bride's son, age 10, gave the bride away.

The bride is the daughter of Richard Erickson and Marie DeBoer. Her biological father, Tom Prantner, is deceased.

She was raised in Grass Valley and received her Bachelor of Arts from Sacramento State University. She has two teaching credentials and a master's degree from the University of Phoenix, magna cum laude.

She substitute-teaches in Grass Valley and is looking for a full-time teaching position at her alma mater.

The groom is the son of Robert and Vivian Beverage of Biggs.

He went to technical school and is the network specialist for Adventist Health Care in Paradise.

The couple will reside in Grass Valley.