Mary-Kate + Faris | Emerald Christmastide Manor Wedding
/The beauty and allure of music is a thread woven throughout the story of Mary-Kate and Faris, two musicians who fell in love after sharing in the gift of music and song. Through prayer, Mass, and the sacraments, the Lord accompanied them to their beautiful wedding day, another joyful celebration full of song and dance.
From the Bride: Our story begins as many things have in our lives--with a concert. A co-worker of Faris' invited him to a house concert where my band "Seasons" was performing, and he was captivated by the short-haired young woman playing the harp. That night we exchanged words briefly during the break.
For much of the rest of the summer, Faris became a regular at Seasons concerts until he summoned the courage to ask me out to dinner and an outdoor viewing of Back To the Future. Faris and I instantly discovered we had a lot of interests in common: music (Faris is a trombonist and music director at a Catholic high school) reading, wine, spending time with friends, and a love of our Catholic faith. We began attending daily Mass and adoration together.
One year after our first date, Faris proposed to me on the tiny island of Tybee off the coast of Georgia. I immediately said “yes!” Through much of our engagement, we prepared for our marriage by praying the rosary and asking St. Joseph for his intercession, as well as frequent Mass and confession. I also create icons and spent the year before our wedding prayerfully painting an icon of the wedding at Cana, which was blessed on the altar on our wedding day!
The wedding included a full Mass, featuring a variety of musicians and musical selections drawn from our friends and cultural traditions. Musical highlights included a Highland march for the processional (we chose a formal processional in which the clergy, groom, his parents, bridal party, and bride all walked in together), the chorale from Faris' school (conducted by the choir director, who was also his best man), cantoring by my cousin, a trombone solo by Faris' teacher from State College, a full brass quintet, and a special performance by my band, Seasons (a sibling celtic band).
The reception kicked off with a traditional Irish session of music and dance, and I was unable to resist playing the harp and singing a song. The celebration also featured traditional Arabic and popular music. We served baklava and hummus to honor Faris' Palestinian roots, then surprised everyone with a choreographed first dance.
From the Photographer: Music plays such an important role in Mary-Kate and Faris' lives, and their wedding Mass was one of the most glorious nuptial Masses I have ever been a part of. They put great care into planning the liturgy, especially the music. The bride and groom were both completely relaxed all day and overflowed with their love and joy for each other and for their family and friends. It was such an amazing gift to be a part of their wedding day!
Photography: Mary Katherine Photography | Church: St Patrick's Cathedral Harrisburg, PA | Wedding Reception Venue : Stock's Manor (https://www.stocksmanor.com) | DJ // Peter Winter Lee (brother of the bride - no website) | FLORIST // Becca Terrio (friend of the bride - no website) | CAKE // Raisin the Bar (https://squareup.com/store/raising-the-bar-hbg-llc) | DRESS // Taylored For You (https://tayloredforyoubridal.com) |
BRIDESMAID’S DRESSES // Azazie (https://www.azazie.com) | GROOMSMEN ATTIRE // Strictly Formal (http://www.strictlyformals.com)