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Jennifer McCard and Alex Peterson of Soldotna were married Sunday, Sept. 6, 2009, at the Our Lady of the Snows Chapel in Girdwood, surrounded by family and friends. Kathleen Gray, aunt of the bride, officiated the ceremony which incorporated several traditions from other cultures, reflecting the couple's ancestry, and their love of travel and other ethnicity.

The bride is the daughter of Dorothy Gray of Kenai and the late David McCard. Jennifer graduated from Soldotna High School and the University of Southern California with a degree in environmental science and a minor in international relations. The bride wore an ivory silk organza gown covered in lace and carried a bouquet of green roses, starburst lilies, and hypercium berries. Riley Kent and Heidi Biggs, lifelong friends of the bride, were maid of honor and bridesmaid. Robert McCard, uncle of the bride, escorted the bride down the aisle.

Special music was played by Sue Biggs on violin and Jack Will on guitar. Heidi Biggs performed an original song, "Love You Forever," she composed for the bride and groom.

The groom is the son of Irma and Russell Peterson of Soldotna. He graduated from Soldotna High School and the University of Southern California with a degree in international relations and a minor in business. He is employed by the U.S. Foreign Service at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali, Rwanda. Casey Olson and David Henson, longtime friends of the groom, served as best man and groomsman.

A reception followed at the Hotel Alyeska. The reception began with a cocktail hour on the Columbia Patio, with hors d'oeuvres and mojitos, the couple's signature drink. A buffet dinner followed in the Kahiltna Court with friends and family from Alaska and several other states.

The couple began their honeymoon at the Princess Lodge in Cooper Landing and later flew to Brussells, Belgium, before heading south to Kigali, where they will make their home for the next two years.