Married 50 Years on June 15, 2018

Mr. and Mrs. James Mattson
Photo by Wentling Studio

We got married in the First Lutheran Church 

in Concord, CA on June 15, 1968

I wish the photo was not so old looking (us too, haha!) but then it was 50 years ago, right?  Photos have improved so much in the half a century since, thank heavens!  Even more so the colors from that era faded and yellowed quickly from the chemicals that were used in the processing.  Some fared better than others.  This one not so much. 

 As I was looking through wedding pictures I ran across our wedding announcement that appeared in our local newspaper just days after our wedding.  I remembered that my grandmother, Alice Godfrey Colberg Yeasley, wrote the article for the paper. 

I love that for many reasons and delighted to see once again what a wonderful writer she was.  It is also great to see her perspective on this special day for Jim and for me.  I am so glad she was there with us.  She died about a year later.  

I am transcribing it here for our grandchildren, rather than scanning it.  I want it to be legible and easy to read and easy to access digitally.

The photo above topped the article.  Here is what she wrote:

"Baskets of white gladioli and chrysanthemums tied with yellow bows and muted by candlelight, enhanced Concord's First Lutheran Church for the Saturday evening, June 15th, wedding of Bonnie Jo Colberg and James Philip Mattson.

The Rev. Wilbur H. Becker of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Concord, united in marriage the daughter of the Ross W. Colbergs of 1743 Lynwood Drive and the son of the junior Fred Mattsons of 1814 Altura Drive also in this city.  

Helen Means accompanied Robert Olson as he sang a variety of wedding selections for the double ring ceremony. 

A daisy trim added interest to Bonnie's imported organza gown, styled in a redingote effect.  Trimmed and embroidered organza and pearls adorned the flowing chapel train.  White daisies and seed pearls held her triple tulle veil, and she held white glamellias in a cascade arrangement.

Nancy, Susie, Bonnie, Judy

Miss Judy Naas, maid of honor and Misses Susan Schmandt and Nancy Mattson, the groom's cousin, were identically attired in yellow linen.  The Concord attendants wore yellow tulle veils designed and made by Debbie Naas, the maid of honor's sister, and each girl carried white yellow garnet roses. 

The groom's brother, Gary Mattson, was his best man.  Showing guest to their seats were the bride's brothers Steven and Gary Colberg and friends, Greg Jilka and James Sullivan, both of this area.  Gregory Hollander, of Sacramento was the Acolyte.

Sun Valley Auditorium was bright with gladioli and chrysanthemums caught in yellow bows for a buffet reception for 300 friends and relatives, registered by Miss Gail Barnett.  

Facing the camera L to R
Jim, Bonnie, Ross and Jo Colberg (my parents)

A wreath of yellow roses accented the tiered wedding cake, decorated with yellow roses and topped with traditional bride and groom figures.

Pink crepe was chosen by Mrs. Colberg, who pinned shaded pink cymbidiums to her gown.  Mrs. Mattson was elegant in a blue silk ensemble complemented by ice green cymbidiums.

Among the wedding guests were the groom's maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Ferrera and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Ernfred Mattson, Sr. all of Concord.  The bride's paternal grandmother, Alice Yeasley also attended from College Place, Washington.  The groom's great aunt  Mrs. Rose Ferrera of Montclair, New Jersey was also in attendance.  Many other friends and family from Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area and the Los Angeles area all toasted the bride and groom.

An imported double knit, Swiss chocolate suit, enhances with yellow accessories, was donned by the bride for a wedding  trip  to Lake Tahoe.  The newlyweds will make San Francisco their home.  

The new Mrs. Mattson was graduated from Clayton Valley high School and attended Diablo Valley College before accepting a position at the Standard Oil Company in San Francisco. 

Her husband, a graduate of Mt. Diablo High School, will continue his studies at Sonoma State College, where he has just completed his junior year." 

The Concord Transcript, June 27, 1968