Patty and Steve's gorgeous wedding was my first wedding at
The Grand Marquise Ballroom! I have been there for two other wedding networking events so I was familiar with the elegance and phenomenal attention to detail the owners put into designing a space tailored for weddings. They thought of everything! See
this post for more photos.
This is the ballroom set up for the ceremony. After the ceremony the guests are invited into the parlor/foyer area for cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while this room will be set up for the reception with a dance floor, uplighting with the couple's monogram projected onto the dance floor, food stations, and tables and chairs. Up on the balcony to the right is the DJ station. Behind the curtains on the upper level are elegant suites for the bride and her ladies on one side and on the other side, a gentlemanly one for the groom and his men.
This is our DJ, Aaron Kinne from
Anything Music, reveiwing the ceremony music ahead of time. He has not yet changed into his tux.
This is the parlor/foyer area where there is a bar set up on the opposite end and tables of hors d'oerves are ready for the guests when the ceremony is over. April with
Unforgettable Food Affair was their caterer. My friend
Karen Harmych, wedding planner, was helping April out for this wedding. It was so good to see her again. This is also where the wedding party, grandparents and parents line up to enter.
This is a view of the ballroom from the top of the staircase. Notice the stunning four feet tall vases of water and calla lilies with petals and candles floating on top. I have never seen such huge vases! Vicky Garner of
The Flower Station in Sanford was their florist and she had beautiful touches of flowers everywhere!
Patty and Steve had a lovely box for envelopes with their photo on front. They also had beautiful wedding programs.
This beautiful cake (withuot the topper at this point) was made by
Simply Cakes. Silver icing crisscrosses the white icing. It was actually not delivered until after the ceremony because of the heat.
When it was time to begin the processional, everyone lined up in the parlor go be cued in by Margo, our honorary director. (Margo, you did a great job!) This is Steve's mom, Lynn, escorted in by his stepfather, Jim. The grandparents and Steve's father and stepmother have already gone inside.
It's time for us to go, so follow me!
The girls are all ready to go too. First is the Junior Bridesmaid, Kiera, in pale lavendar. The Bridesmaids are dressed in beautiful dresses of ivory bodices and "concord" (grape) skirts. They are from left to right: Joleen, Nikki, Lisa, and Theresa, maid of honor.
These are our amazing flowergirls in their "bridal wagon." Their wagon will be pulled down the aisle by Matthew, Patty's nephew. He was such a good sport and I am sorry that I don't have a picture of him.
Come on, Dad! It's time!
Margo and John Hayes, our videographer from
Southern Video Designs, help straighten the bride's train as father of the bride, Ken, buttons his top button.
And they are on their way! That is Margo on the left watching them go. Her job is done! That is Cheryl Manning, our photographer, on the right getting those photos.
Steve descends the steps to meet Patty and Ken. At this point the music faded and I asked: "Who has the privilege of presenting this young woman, Patty, to be married to this young man, Steve?" Of course he responded: "Her mother and I do." And he transferred her hand into Steve's; she gave dad a little kiss goodbye and the couple ascended the steps to join me for the rest of the ceremony.
The ceremony included a tearful tribute to Steve and Patty's parents. As part of the wedding address, I told the couple's story of meeting, falling in love and expectations for the future. They both work at the same middle school. Steve is an eighth grade history teacher and Patty is his grade level counselor. They have had a wonderful courtship and are fun-loving people. What a good match they are! The room was just too dark for my little camera to make a dent and get any close ups of the ceremony but I did want to show you the kiss! It was a good one! They were a abit shy about the kissing at the rehearsal but I can tell they got some practice in after the rehearsal dinner!
Ahhhh! Married at last! That is Cheryl Manning and John Hayes getting the couple recessing out. Mark Holland was along as the second cameraman for the video. Thanks, Cheryl, Mark and John.
Here we are in the Bride's suite for photos after the wedding. Patty and Steve, it was such fun working with you to create the ceremony script and map out the processional and recessional. You were so organized and hired such a wonderful team of vendors to make your wedding dreams come true. Thank you for the honor! Congratulations, and I wish you a lifetime of happiness, joy and peace!
