Weddings are such wondrous events, and the nuptials of Amanda Bates and Devin Parks were especially so. Held at St. Ignatius Loyola Church, a Baltimore landmark on Calvert Street, the ceremony had enormous charm and appeal, reflecting months of careful planning.

Greeting us at the 5 p.m. service -- with 130 guests from as far away as California and Texas -- were the bride's brother and groomsman, Andy Bates, of Houston, Texas, and proud parents Margo and Ken Bates. Margo was tres chic in a mango and cocoa ensemble, and Ken, who would give Amanda away, was debonair in a seasonally appropriate white tuxedo.

Colorful flowers and ribboned streamers decorated every pew, the altar and sanctuary. Afternoon sunlight streaming through arched windows illuminated the soaring spaces of the classic edifice, as dulcet music wafted through the air. In an ultimate attention to detail, supplementing the church's air conditioning, guests were provided with fans imprinted with the marriage service's program.

As we waited, we perused the program/fan, chatted with fellow guests and admired the splendid paintings adorning ceiling and walls, by Constantino Brumidi, an artist also known for his work in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol.

The wedding procession was enchanting. Smiling bridesmaids in elegant midnight blue chiffon carrying bouquets of zinnias, dahlias and hydrangeas in vivid hues, accompanied by tuxedoed groomsmen, stepped gracefully down the aisle, followed by maid of honor Lucia Treasure.

Stealing hearts, the Bates' grandchildren played their parts to perfection. Ring bearer Cameron, 9, held the rings aloft on an embroidered pillow with poise and aplomb. Adorable flower girls, Jenna, 2, Hailey, 3, and Lauren, 4, were all in matching long blue dresses and holding miniature nosegays of white roses. At the last minute little Lauren was too shy, but Jenna and Hailey joined tiny hands and, with nary a misstep, walked down the aisle by themselves to the altar.

Then, as the music swelled, Amanda appeared on the arm of her father, a vision in a designer gown of oyster white satin elaborately embroidered with crystals and pearls, the perfect foil for her alabaster skin. Her dark hair was swept up and held with a tiara from which cascaded her filmy veil. Her lush bouquet of white orchids, roses and pale blue hydrangeas complemented the gorgeous fabric of her bridal gown.

Waiting for her at the altar were Devin with best man Tyler Maltise.

The traditional ceremony was performed by Deacon Paul Weber. Participating as readers were Sheryn Bates (Andy's spouse and mother of Cameron, Hailey and Jenna) and Carol Carrico (Devin's aunt). Devin's mother, Cynthia Parks, who has a lovely, crystalline soprano voice, sang Schubert's "Ave Maria."

As the couple exchanged their vows and rings, there were many tears in the assembly. The audience burst into spontaneous applause as Deacon Weber uttered the well-known words, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."

Other attendants included bridesmaids Shannon Early, Jacqueline DuPont, Paige Johnson, Maria Ruggiero and Katie Trotter, junior bridesmaid Kyleigh Parks, who is Devin's young sister, and groomsmen Christian Bates (Amanda's brother), Nicolaus Hildreth, Todd Lyons and Bradley Parks (Devin's brother).

Following the ceremony, a munificent reception awaited guests at another landmark, The Engineers Club at the Garrett-Jacobs Mansion in nearby Mount Vernon Place. Its rooms glowed with hospitality, as waiters circulated with trays of crab balls, shrimp, spring rolls and more. Open bars dispensed every type of celebratory libation.

In the atrium, the Swinging Swamis, a spirited six-piece orchestra held forth. The ornate Gilded Age Ballroom was set for dinner, with towering 3-foot crystal vases of dahlias, zinnias, hydrangeas, liriodendron and more in vibrant hues of flame, purple, white and gold on the tables.

The groom's cake (designed by Amanda) was a pyramid of Berger cookies, held together with honeyed brittle and luscious chocolate. The bride's cake was an elegant, tiered beauty iced in pastel French butter cream and topped with a dainty Lladro figurine, a legacy from Margo's late mother.

Guests included Millicent and George Tyler, Charlie Reeves, Sue and Jo Diedrich, Burt Ray and Carver Green, Sharon and Paul Smith, Liz and Doug Trotter, Lisa and Alan Garten, newlyweds Hillary and David Alexander, Linda and Zelig Robinson, and Rose Marie and Bill Bowles, of Oxford, Md. We were delighted to greet former Greenway neighbors Joy and Bob Neubert, who had flown in from Florida. We talked with Paula Johnson, of San Antonio, mother of bridesmaid Paige, and family matriarch Merlyn Spain, of Tyler, Texas, there with her son, Dr. Steve Spain, and his wife, Jill.

We said hi to Rick Bates, Ken's golf pro brother from Sugarland, Texas, and the Bates' son, Christian, and his spouse, Tanya. Other family members included Margo's aunt Lil and uncle Rich of New Jersey, nieces Heather Meador of San Antonio and Heather Missigall, of Austin, and Devin's grandmothers, Martha Williams and Hazel Price. It was a pleasure to meet Ken's distinguished business colleague, Ruben Burnette, and his friend, Ana French, of Madrid, Spain.

We chatted with tablemates Kathy and Bob Beliveau, of Poolesville (Devin's aunt and uncle), aerospace engineer Richard Bourne, just back from Beijing, China, Margaret Zellhofer, and Carol and Bill Morris, a charming couple from St. Mary's County.

Champagne flowed as toasts were proposed, starting with Ken, who in a touching speech told Amanda and Devin, "We all join in wishing you a tremendous life full of love."

Lucia and Tyler added their sentiments with lively toasts. Devin made the final toast as he happily turned to his bride, and said, "Thank you, Amanda, for supporting me and believing in me and for loving me."

And we all raised our glasses in joyful agreement.

The couple is now off for a fabulous honeymoon in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. We wish them years of joy and happiness.

We also wish Margo and Ken, who celebrated their 32nd anniversary on Sept. 4, sincere congratulations. Happy anniversary and many more!

user comments (0)