It’s
Saturday, June 28, 2003, almost 1:30 in the afternoon and I’m
approaching St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Bryantown. The
sunshine and blue skies are magnificent and I’m pleased
that Marjie and Kevin Brown will be able to celebrate their
wedding on one of the few rainless days this summer. The church,
established in 1776, is beautiful and sits at the end of a long
driveway off the main road. As I approach, a white Excursion
limousine sits out front, complete with red carpet awaiting
the couples retreat from the church.
I enter the church in time to see Kevin’s groomsmen
dressed in black tuxedos quietly allowing last minute guests
to sneak in through a side door. I see seven bridesmaids lined
up in tangerine colored satin dresses, complete with smiles,
nervously holding their orange and yellow-colored bouquets,
waiting for the vestibule doors to open. I peak around the
corner to see Marjie. She’s gorgeous and is grinning
from ear to ear.
Marjie’s
Wedding Day Vision
“I’ve
always thought that I would have a mid-sized wedding,
not too big, but not too small. (We have 135 people
so it worked out pretty well.) I always pictured
myself getting married in a puffy white dress in
an old church with stained glass windows. I’ve
always wanted a country wedding, a scenic wedding
(St. Mary’s Church was perfect for that).
As for the reception, I wanted a place where we
would be the only wedding reception going on (not
at a big hall) and something kind of simple, kind
of elegant and just lots of fun. I also wanted Southern
Maryland cooking. And I definitely wanted lots of
my favorite color, orange.” |
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We hear the organ music start and the doors open. “Goin’
to the chapel and we’re goin’ to get ma-a-a-rried…”
After her bridesmaids and maid of honor leave the vestibule,
the doors close and Marjie quickly gets into position along
side of her father. She makes last minute adjustments to her
gown and gloves, turns to her father and says, “Now don’t
cry.” The
Reverend Deacon Eugene Burroughs performs the couple’s
marriage ceremony. Candelabras decorated with the couples orange
and yellow flower theme are lit and are on opposite sides of
the altar. During the ceremony, the couples lit a unity candle
and delivered a single rose to each of their parents and presented
one before the statue of Mary during the peace offering. Ave
Maria is being played by flute in the background. “…and
good health to a happy old age…” said Deacon Burroughs.
Wedding
Day Details
Marjie
and Kevin’s wedding had a spring theme with lots of
yellow and orange. The bridesmaids wore tangerine two-piece
satin gowns while the maid of honor wore the same dress in
maize (yellow). Each carried orange and yellow stick bouquets
made of roses, Shasta daisies and tulips.
Along
with her bridesmaids dresses, Marjie purchased her ivory wedding
dress from Country Miss in Upper Marlboro. The satin “Mon
Cherie” dress was sleeveless and had a wrap around halter
style top with a beaded bodice and plain trane. She wore sheer
and satin gloves to her elbows and also carried a similar
bouquet as her bridesmaids but had white tulips inserted in
between the orange and yellow.
Kevin
and his six groomsmen wore black tuxedos and a single rose
boutonniere. Kevin wore an ivory bow tie while his groomsmen
wore black.
Marjie
and Kevin’s gift to the bridal attendants included hat
boxes, stationary and necklaces for the bridesmaids while the
groomsmen received University of Maryland binoculars engraved
with their initials.
Drive a few miles to the Baden Fire Department and you’ll
find "The Willow Room" decorated in Marjie’s
orange and yellow theme. Each guest had place cards made of
orange and yellow paper flowers in small terra cotta pots that
Marjie made herself. Favors also included small chocolates and
mints wrapped in white tulle and drink stirrers each personalized
with the happy couple’s name and wedding date. Each table
centerpiece was made up of glass vases with fresh plants.
The
Baden Ladies Auxiliary prepared the reception meal. (These
ladies are known for their southern cooking. Everything is
homemade.) The buffet menu included a veggie and cheese tray,
Waldorf salad, seafood linguini, stuffed chicken breast, mashed
potatoes, green beans and apple rings.
The
couple’s wedding cake, created by Mary Ellen Brown,
had three layers with two bridges and was made up of six different
cake flavors.
Marjie
had Satin & Lace, two women that hand sew custom wedding
accessories, create two lovely handkerchiefs as gifts for
her grandparents. They were made of Irish linen, Venice lace
and were embroidered with the couple’s names and wedding
date. They also created an embroidered money bag made out
of organza and satin, beaded with pearls.
Music
at the reception was provided by Sight & Sound DJ’s
and Bruce Schmidt was the wedding photographer. The floral
bouquets and arrangements were provided by Burch’s florist
in La Plata. Ceremony music was provided by Cara and Barrett
Johnson of St. Peter’s Church and Marie Johnson of Our
Lady Help of Christians Church, both in Waldorf. Classic Image
salon in Waldorf provided make-up and hair services for the
Bride and her bridesmaids. Luxury Transportation provided
the Excursion limousine.
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