2.23.24 Manuel & Julia

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!

1.20.24 Ryan & Claudia

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.

11.25.23 Justin & Emma

Warehouse on the Canal in Canal Fulton was the unique venue for Justin and Emma’s wedding. Theirs was the first wedding to take place in this beautifully renovated building. Bare brick walls and streams of lights overhead made for a very festive atmosphere.

Justin is in the Air Force so they came home to have their wedding with family and friends. What a lovely couple they are. So in love and ready for their life together in the military.

Wishing them much love and happiness in the adventures to come.

10.21.23 Rob & Matt

Love and joy were in the air at the wedding of Rob and Matt. They were both so excited as well as the 150 or so guests. This lovely fall wedding was held at Brookside Farm in Louisville. What a beautiful area and a perfect venue for a fall-themed wedding.

Both looked so handsome with matching vests, shoes and smiles.

This will go down as one of my favorite wedding ceremonies. Wishing them much love and happiness.

Erin & Sallee - 10.13.23

Erin and Sallee met via Zoom during the Covid lock down. So, when they decided to marry, they thought that the logical and most meaningful way was to have a Zoom wedding.

Erin and Sallee wanted the ceremony to be low key so the two of them were the only ones present - only people present that is. Their two cats and dog decided they were going to be in on the festivities. They showed their approval during the vows by walking back and forth on the sofa behind them and then starting to wrestle in front of them. What a hoot!

This was only my second Zoom wedding and it was so much fun. The couple came over that afternoon so I could sign the marriage license and make it legal. They were then sharing their happiness with friends and family at a reception the next day. Love is love!!

10.7.23 Eric & Marianne

Although the day started with rain, the sun came out for Eric and Marianne’s wedding at the Lakeside Yacht Club on the shores of beautiful Lake Erie. Working together they fell in love and the rest is history.

10.1.23 Seth & Bree

Seth and Bree were wedding #3 at the same venue as the last one - The Barn at Wolf Creek. What a fun coincidence!

This wedding I will remember because of their very sincere vows that they wrote and the interesting readings they included. One was a compilation of quotes from John Muir, naturalist and conservationist. And this venue was perfect for such a reading. And a lovely way to end a three-wedding weekend!

10.6.23 Eric & Krystal

Eric and Krystal were so happy to share their special day with their son, Mason. The wedding took place a Vosh in Lakewood. What an unusual and beautiful venue. And the weather was perfect again. Beautiful family!

9.30.23 Michael & Jessica

Wedding #2 for this weekend was another beautiful day. Michael and Jessica’s wedding was at The Barn at Wolf Creek. Such an incredible venue in Copley.

I meet lots of wonderful people but some stand out more than others. This is one couple that I will always remember. They are so in love and are very genuinely nice and caring, as were their families. I truly hope our paths meet again.

9.29.23 Clay & Diane

Three weddings and two rehearsals in one weekend! Clay and Diane had an intimate backyard wedding with no wedding party so a rehearsal was not needed.

It was a picture perfect day for this very lovely couple. Older couples going into their second marriages are favorites. They both said their vows with such sincerity and emotion. So happy they found each other.

9.22.23 Bryan & Kristen

The wedding day of Bryan and Kristen couldn’t have been a more beautiful day. Their ceremony was held at Chenoweth Gold Club in Akron, one of my favorite venues. Not only is it beautiful but the staff there really know what they are doing and are there to help in any way they can.

Joy was in abundance in this more intimate wedding with about 50 guests.

Bryan and Kristen’s four children made up the wedding party - two as Best Man and Maid of Honor and two adorable flower girls. This lovely couple and their children make a beautiful family. Wishing them much happiness.

8.19.23 Kenneth & Ayanna

Kenneth and Ayanna’s wedding program was titled “Celebration of Love” and that it was! The way these two looked into each other’s eyes and the sincere and loving way they expressed their vows, there is no doubt that these two are deeply in love.

A very touching moment came when Ayanna’s father, who is blind, read a poem for the couple using braille.

Lavender and black were the colors with the bridesmaids wearing stunning lavender gowns. But the main beauty was the bride who was beaming.

There is no doubt that these two will have a loving and blessed life. Wishing them much happiness and prosperity.

8.12.23 Chico & Ashlie

Classy and elegant are the best words to describe Chico and Ashlie’s wedding at Guy’s Party Center in Akron. It was a black tie wedding so the 150 or so guests were dressed to the nines. But the two that shined the most were this beautiful couple. Lovely people inside and out. Plus, their two young sons were as cute as can be. Wishing them much love and happiness.

7.22.23 Chris & Lyndsey

Yesterday was the day that Chris and Lyndsey said I do at Coppertop Golf Club in Valley City. Although it sprinkled a bit an hour before, it was all sun and beautiful for the ceremony.

Lyndsey was quite calm and Chris a little more nervous but so ready. Their nine-year old son was such a gentleman looking very cute in a suit and bow tie. When the three-year old flower girl decided not to throw the petals, Mason immediately took over and did it for her while she picked them up after him. So cute. Wishing this lovely couple much joy.

7.15.23 Mark & Natalie

Mark and Natalie are about as much in love as any two people can be. They were both beaming as soon as I arrived and did so throughout the ceremony.

They had a lovely home wedding in their backyard with family and friends. Even the next door neighbors happily watched from their deck.

Mark was pretty anxious about having to recite his vows but he did them perfectly. And Natalie was so beautiful in a mid-length gown that was perfect for the occasion.

Wishing this sweet couple many years of wedding bliss.

6.11.23 Kody & Amanda

The three weeks of sunshine stopped on Kody and Amanda’s wedding day but they could care less about the rain. They had the beautiful Columbia Ballroom for their venue. And they were getting married with their three children as their wedding party.

Making the small wedding even more special was Amanda’s cousin playing the guitar for the processional/recessional as the bride was escorted in by her 8 yr. old son.

There is no doubt that this is a happy family. Blessings to all of them!

6.10.23 Jake & Kristen

After three weeks of no rain, the weather continued to be perfect for the wedding of Jake and Kristen. And the bride and groom couldn’t be more beautiful themselves - inside and out.

This wedding was held on the first hole of The Mayfield Sand Ridge Club in South Euclid. This was an incredibly top notch venue for a very classy wedding. Champagne was flowing freely or nearly 200 guests.

I particularly enjoyed the harpist during the ceremony. So many weddings use DJs but there is nothing like the sound of live music.

Wishing this lovely couple many happy years of love and blessings.

5.26.23 Matthew & Nicole

It was the perfect day for Matthew and Nicole’s wedding on the patio of the Weymouth Country Club. Nicole was gorgeous in a full length lace gown. Although she was nervous about saying her vows at the rehearsal, she was calm and composed and delivered them perfectly at the ceremony. Matthew was very confident and sincere in his vows.

Matthew literally swept Nicole off her feet by picking her up for the kiss which made for a fun and memorable photo. Such a loving and sweet couple.

5.20.23Joe & Alexxis

The Westin in downtown Cleveland was the elegant scene for the wedding of the Dr. Joe and Alexxis. They very happily said “I do” in front of 150 friends and family. They were both quite calm and sincere throughout the ceremony. A very tall and lovely couple inside and out. Wishing them only the best.

5.6.23 Dylan & Cheyenne

Dylan & Cheyenne were a bit nervous at the wedding at the Rockefeller Garden Center. But love took over during the ceremony and their smiles said it all. It was a perfect spring day for a wedding and all went well. They make a very sweet couple.