A wedding ceremony is the union of two people. But this unity is displayed through many symbols and customs and not only symbolizes the unity of husband and wife but of two families joining as one.
Jennifer Meyers / The Citizen
Morgan McEvers, 12, left, and Melissa Bowers, 11, right, rehearse the song “Ode to Joy” with teacher Stephanie Caliendo at their home in Auburn Sunday afternoon. The girls will be performing while their mother, Cheryl Coogan, walks down the isle this weekend.
Morgan McEvers, 12, left, and Melissa Bowers, 11, right, rehearse the song “Ode to Joy” with teacher Stephanie Caliendo at their home in Auburn Sunday afternoon. The girls will be performing while their mother, Cheryl Coogan, walks down the isle this weekend.
No one understands this more than Cheryl Coogan and her fiance, Wayne McEvers, both of Auburn. The pair, being married Saturday at Hoopes Park, has incorporated their children and family traditions into their union as much as possible.
“The kids are very important to us,” Coogan said. “We wanted them to know that it's not just the two of us getting married but all of us uniting to form one family.”
The couple, who have dated more than eight years, have one child together, Hannah McEvers, 6. During the ceremony, Hannah will act as the flower girl, then Wayne's two children, Brandon, 14, and Morgan McEvers, 12, plus Coogan's first daughter, Melissa Bowers, 11, will each hold a special role in Saturday's ceremony.
“They have been involved in all the planning,” Coogan said, “and each has a role in the ceremony.”
One way the couple will incorporate their four children is by having pairs light two unity candles together during the ceremony. “Then the two of us will use that pair to light our unity candle,” Coogan explained.
“It is the combining of our whole family, not just two people,” Wayne agreed.
As in roles for the day, each first child, Brandon and Melissa, will act as junior best man and junior maid of honor, respectively. Additionally, the two girls, Morgan on the violin and Melissa on the flute, will perform music for their parents.
And as in all the weddings in Coogan's family, an exorbitant amount of Italian cookies will sit at the head table.
“My aunt and two cousins are making more than 400 cookies,” Coogan said with anticipation.
The trio began Monday, preparing everything from Italian wedding cookies to whiskey balls, almond spitzers to lemon cookies and even more. Coogan couldn't quite recall the endless supply that will be provided.
“It's a tradition in our family,” Coogan emphasized. “Every wedding in our family has had Italian cookies. We place them at the head table so, when guests come up to greet us, they may take their pick.”
Another Italian tradition, slightly tweaked by Coogan to again include her children, is the Italian wrap dance.
“When Wayne and I take our first dance, our four kids will come up with streamers and wrap us up,” she said. “This symbolizes unity.”
“The kids are very important to us,” Coogan said. “We wanted them to know that it's not just the two of us getting married but all of us uniting to form one family.”
The couple, who have dated more than eight years, have one child together, Hannah McEvers, 6. During the ceremony, Hannah will act as the flower girl, then Wayne's two children, Brandon, 14, and Morgan McEvers, 12, plus Coogan's first daughter, Melissa Bowers, 11, will each hold a special role in Saturday's ceremony.
“They have been involved in all the planning,” Coogan said, “and each has a role in the ceremony.”
One way the couple will incorporate their four children is by having pairs light two unity candles together during the ceremony. “Then the two of us will use that pair to light our unity candle,” Coogan explained.
“It is the combining of our whole family, not just two people,” Wayne agreed.
As in roles for the day, each first child, Brandon and Melissa, will act as junior best man and junior maid of honor, respectively. Additionally, the two girls, Morgan on the violin and Melissa on the flute, will perform music for their parents.
And as in all the weddings in Coogan's family, an exorbitant amount of Italian cookies will sit at the head table.
“My aunt and two cousins are making more than 400 cookies,” Coogan said with anticipation.
The trio began Monday, preparing everything from Italian wedding cookies to whiskey balls, almond spitzers to lemon cookies and even more. Coogan couldn't quite recall the endless supply that will be provided.
“It's a tradition in our family,” Coogan emphasized. “Every wedding in our family has had Italian cookies. We place them at the head table so, when guests come up to greet us, they may take their pick.”
Another Italian tradition, slightly tweaked by Coogan to again include her children, is the Italian wrap dance.
“When Wayne and I take our first dance, our four kids will come up with streamers and wrap us up,” she said. “This symbolizes unity.”
