Scott and Sarah combined their families this weekend. They each have two teenagers that are now one bit happy family. The teens actually seemed to all get along!
This wedding was at TwinHaven in Twinsburg. It’s a lovely venue with very nice people running it.
Bob and Ashley were married at GlenEagles in Twinsburg. It’s a lovely venue. The ceremony was supposed to be outdoors but the weather did not cooperate. So, it was held in a room with lots of windows which was nice as well.
I had to hurry off to do a rehearsal for a wedding on Saturday. Fortunately, it was only six minutes away which worked out great!
Whitehall, Columbia Station, OH was the venue for Thomas & Danielle. It is a renovated school with beautiful property. Their wedding was outdoors under a 100+ year old oak tree.
Brian and Shauna were married on the roof of Lago, ALofts, Cleveland Flats, Cleveland, OH. 16 floors up gave a fantastic view of Lake Erie and the Cleveland Flats. Such a lovely couple. The did a Unity Tree planting ceremony with a very large tree.
Mark and Kayla were married at Geneva on the Lake, Geneva, OH. This is an extraordinary venue right on the lake. It was very hot but, fortunately, there was a lake breeze. I went into town which is a big tourist area. Had a great Slovenian sausage sandwich and bought very yummy donuts for my sister-in-law who was staying with us while my brother was. having heart surgery. Very kind and loving couple.
Highfields Event Center, Hudson, OH was the venue for Dominic and Alaina’s second wedding. I married them two years before because Dominic was being shipped out in the Army. It was so nice to be able to marry them again. This is a fairly new event center that is very nice.
Adam is the son of a neighbor/friend of mine. He is an attorney and his wife is a professor of history at Oberlin College. They opted for an intimate setting in Rocky River Reservation, Rocky River, OH with Adam’s son. It took a bit of hiking to get there but what a beautiful spot it turned out to be. And a meaningful one for the happy couple.
Anthony and Jill picked in Gervasi Vineyard, Canton, Oh. It’s an absolutely gorgeous place with several restaurants, bars and full amenities. Anthony looked so handsome in his Marine dress uniform. And Jill was lovely and so very happy. Very nice couple.
Coe Lake, Berea, OH was the spot for Brian and Christiana. It turned to be the perfect area for their family wedding.
Shane and Alysia picked tMichael Angelos Winery in Richfield, Ohio for their wedding. Their backdrop was a vineyard with acres of grapevines. They wrote their own very sweet vows.
Scott and Sara are what I call my adopted “grandchildren” from our church. They were both raised in the Unity church and are wonderful examples of kind, compassionate and driven young people. I love them as my own and feel so very honored to have able to help their start their new life together.
Isn’t this an incredible dress? So lovely on such a lovely bride. Matt and Autumn were married at Birdseye Barn in Norton. A fairly new and really beautiful venue inside and out. They were so nervous but the ceremony went smoothly except for a little, unhappy ring bearer. Wishing them so much love and happiness.
Matt and Katie were married at the Grand Pacific Wedding Gardens. Such a sweet and caring couple. The ceremony went even with the intrusion of an airplane and train. We just went with the flow as they continued to vow to love each other forever.
The Miller Nature Preserve was the beautiful venue for Geoffrey and Tanya. Such a lovely couple. Tanya’s daughter even sang “Your Song.” Live music add so much to a ceremony. Wishing them only the best.
Tom and Karen came to my home for a wedding meeting on Tuesday at 7 p.m. I always meet my wedding couples so that we can get to know one another and so I can personalize the ceremony script as well.
Tom walked into the meeting with the marriage license in his hand so I knew that they wanted to get married soon. When I asked how soon, they said as soon as I could do it. I jokingly said “How about now?” They both looked at each and said “Yes, let’s do it now!”
After I was sure that they meant it, we quickly reviewed what needed to be done. Then we get to the rings - there were no rings. Tom excused himself, went out to his car and came back with a little turquoise box with a white ribbon on it. Anyone who knows jewelry knows that box means Tiffanys!
So right at our dining room table he says to Karen, “Will you marry me?” Of course he knew the answer was yes because he had already asked her. But now it is with the ring!
But there was no ring for Tom. Karen then said “Let’s use the ribbon from the box!” So that’s what we would do.
Next point of discussion was where. We live very close to Brecksille Reservation and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park so that was a no brainer on this beautiful evening.
One last item. I thought Karen needed a wedding bouquet. I ran out to the front yard and picked a bouquet of tulips. Came back inside and tied them with the rest of the white ribbon.
I quickly changed into my minister clothes and we were off to the park. My husband, John, joined us as photographer.
It was a beautiful evening and still light outside. There couldn’t be two people more in love. They both were beaming with happiness and excitement. Karen got her lovely wedding ring and Tom got a Tiffany ribbon around his finger. There’s no doubt that these two were made for each other. Wishing them many blessings!
COVID happens. So what happens when COVID hits your minister the day before your wedding? Don't panic - call Rev. Shirley!
That's what Kurt did. The groom contacted me and fortunately for him and his beautiful bride I was available for their wedding in Medina this past weekend.
It is weird though to go to the wedding never having met the couple. But Kurt and Olesya were so happy and grateful that I could officiate at the last minute that it seemed like I already knew them.
Both have very outgoing personalities and their energy certainly showed during the ceremony. They were both beaming with their love in the hearts.
Everything went pretty smoothly even with no rehearsal. It helps that I have done this a few times - this was 453 weddings for me. Experience certainly helps in a situation like this.
Wishing them much love and many blessings.
Dan and Paula had a lovely, intimate wedding at the Orchid House Winery in Aurora. It is a relatively new winery that is beautiful inside and out.
Since it was March the wedding took place inside which was perfect for a wedding with 15 people, although it can hold much more.
The bride and groom were radiating happiness with their very excited family. The wedding party consisted of the couple and two and adorable little boys who served as ring bearers - nephews of the bride.
Paula was wearing her mother’s veil which beautifully complimented her very chic dress. Her stunning bouquet completed her elegant look. Dan was handsome as he lovingly looked at his new bride.
The flowers that decorated the ceremony area were some of the loveliest I have ever seen.
Another wedding with two very special people. Wishing them much love and every happiness.
Who gets married outside on the lake in February in Clevelland? That was Manuel and Julia’s dream because that’s where they fell in love. Their first date was at Pier W on the Gold coast which has a huge walkout that overlooks Lake Erie and the best view of downtown Cleveland.
It was 42 degrees with a wind chill of 36 degrees. Yikes! But the bride and groom, plus her parents and a few friends withstood the chilly day to make their dream come true.
Julia’s shoulders were bare although she had a fur stole on that kept slipping down. Everyone, including me, did not wear coats except for the groom. He was smart and had a cashmere overcoat on.
There is an old song titled “I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm” and I think that is what happened. We all had their love to keep us warm. No one seemed to mind because their smiles radiated love, happiness and plenty of energy throughout the whole ceremony.
They are honeymooning in Cancun where Manuel’s parents and family will meet them to do this all over again. So, their next wedding will be much warmer.
Sending this very special couple so much love and many blessings!
So, what do you do when when you are supposed to get married at the court house and they close because of snow? And you have 16 guests coming over and lots of food? You call Rev. Shirley to marry you at your home!
Ryan called me yesterday in a bit of a panic. I said no problem - I can do this for you. I could hear the relief in his voice. What a great guy.
His lovely bride, Claudia, is from Peru and her mother and sisters were there to witness her marriage. She was very serious and determined and did a remarkable job reciting the vows and ring exchange with her beautiful accent.
Such joy and loving energy in the room. Even their dog was an excited guest.
Such a sweet couple. Theirs is sure to be a marriage made in heaven. Wishing them only the best.
