Jennifer Laura Merchant and Ray Riley
Father John Dinello united Jen and Ray during a ceremony held at Heinz Memorial Chapel. Guests used vintage hankerchiefs, collected by the bride, to wipe away happy tears.
Family
Dale and Ruth Merchant;
Marcia Marion
Ceremony
Father John Dinello united Jen and Ray during a ceremony held at Heinz Memorial Chapel (1212 Cathedral of Learning, Oakland; 412/624-4157, heinzchapel.pitt.edu). Guests used vintage hankerchiefs, collected by the bride, to wipe away happy tears.
Flowers
Design Space (5746 Baum Blvd., East Liberty; 412/363-2120, designspacepgh.com) used hydrangeas, tulips, roses and orchids to create all the floral arrangements for the ceremony, reception and wedding party. From delicate flowers on the dessert trays to large, uplit palm trees lining the reception room, this florist thought of every detail.
Photographer
Cyndi and Tony Araujo (Araujo Photography; 412/787-2711, araujophoto.com)
On the Bride
Jen looked radiant in an ivory lace Monique Lhuillier gown with a champagne silk underlay. (purchased from Anne Gregory for the Bride, 2975 W. Liberty Ave., Dormont; 412/531-3160, annegregorybrides.com).
On the Groom
Ray went to Men’s Wearhouse (multiple locations; 800/776-7848, menswearhouse.com) to rent the perfect tux for his wedding day.
Reception
Continuing the happy trend, guests headed to Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens (One Schenley Park, Oakland; 412/622-6914, phipps.conservatory.org) for the reception. Rania’s Catering (100 Central Square, Mt. Lebanon; 412/531-2222, rania.com) provided a meal that was served family-style at two long tables running the length of the room. The couple skipped the cookie table in favor of a coffee and dessert bar, also provided by Rania, that included hazelnut squares, chocolate éclairs and other delicious desserts.
Cake
Rania’s Catering provided a three-tiered chocolate cake with hazelnut and fudge, iced in white fondant and decorated with fresh flowers.
Music
Tenor Latifu J. Onajé (412/398-6333, latifu.com) sang during the couple’s ceremony. DJ Jeremy Ganss (814/221-0737, jeremyganss.com) played music so enticing during dinner that Ray and his bride hit the dance floor between bites.
