Published: July 31, 2009 10:05 am      

Gaba, Joy wedding

CUMBERLAND — Jennifer Alana Joy and Jonathan Velasco Gaba were united in marriage on Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, at 5 o’clock in the evening. The double ring ceremony took place at Centre Street United Methodist Church in Cumberland, with the Rev. Lloyd McCanna officiating.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Joy of Bel Air. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Shirey Jr. of Haines City, Fla. The groom is the son of Mrs. Carmen Gaba of Salisbury, Md., and the late Vergel Gaba.

The simplicity of the historic church was enhanced with candlelight, roses, lilies and accents of purple misty surrounded by greenery throughout. A single white rose was laid on the church altar in loving memory of the groom’s father.

Given in marriage by her parents and escorted down the aisle by her father, the bride wore a pearl sweetheart strapless gown shaped by asymmetrical draping. The gown had a ruched a-line skirt that included a chapel length train and was complimented by a veil with hand-sewn pearl and crystal beading. She carried a hand-tied bouquet of white roses and white and purple lilies, accented with purple misty, baker fern, and Italian rustcia greens. A white handkerchief with blue embroidered flowers was given to the bride by her grandmother to hold during the ceremony. The handkerchief was hand-sewn by the bride’s great-grandmother.

The matron of honor was Mrs. Lisbeth Joy, best friend and mother of the bride. The bridesmaids included Sally Linkenauger and Seranush Ozkan, close friends of the bride, and Dr. Kate Williams, cousin of the bride.

Serving as best man was Rommel Gaba, brother of the groom. Groomsmen included Eric Small and Jonathan Bakdash, life-long friends of the groom, and Edward Gaba, brother of the groom.

During the wedding ceremony, Mrs. Paulynn Manross, sister of the groom, prepared and read a special poem chronicling the bride and groom’s story of how they fell in love. Music before, during, and after the ceremony was provided by Tom Harrison, pianist, and Jim Roderick, flutist. Guests were seated by ushers and friends, Corey Ryan and Justin Storbeck.

Following the ceremony, guests attended a cocktail hour with hors d'oeuvres at the Cumberland Country Club, followed by a sit-down dinner and dancing. The bride and groom enjoyed their first dance as husband and wife to “Hawaiian Wedding Song” by Elvis Presley. Guests were delightfully surprised to watch as the couple ended their first dance by “busting a move” to Justin Timberlake’s “Sexyback.” The bride danced with her father to Bob Carlisle’s “Butterfly Kisses,” followed by a mother-son dance to “My Wish.” Music for the night was provided by Sounds Fun Entertainment.

In addition to an ice sculpture, the ballroom was elegant with purple rose petals nestled in white lace draped across the ceiling. The reception tabletops followed the purple, white, and ivory theme, with white linens and ivory overlays complete with white chair covers and shimmering purple sashes. Each table was decorated with a cascade of white roses, white and purple lilies, Italian rustcia greens and purple alstroemeria in an Eiffel tower vase. Each vase was atop a mirror and was surrounded by glowing candles in votive holders. The floral arrangements were designed and provided by George’s Creek Florist. In addition to the beautiful flower arrangements, the florist trimmed the country club’s windows and outdoor patio areas with green ivy and accent lights.

In lieu of traditional wedding favors, guests were pleased to find a donation was made in their honor to Ally Cat Allies, a national nonprofit working to save and protect feral and stray cats. Each guest received a note to commemorate the donation.

Special toasts and blessings were given by Gerald Joy, the bride’s father, Eric Small, groomsman, and Harry Shirey Jr., the bride’s grandfather. Guests viewed a slideshow presentation of Jonathan and Jennifer from childhood to the present, as well as photos of the couple with their family and friends.

The wedding cake was designed by Mrs. Betty Austin of Little Orleans. The four-tiered cake, complete with intricate beading, was topped with a cascade of roses and lilies. Award-winning photographer Sarah Cramer of Cramer Photography, Charlottesville, Va., traveled to Cumberland to capture the magical day. Hairstyles for the bridal party were provided by Mrs. Bonnie Swan. The morning of the wedding, Mrs. Bonnie Swan also hosted a beautiful bridal brunch. Guests in attendance traveled from California, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

A Hawaiian themed bridal shower was hosted by the mother of the bride, Lisbeth Joy, at her residence in Bel Air. The bride was also the guest of honor at two bachelorette celebratory weekends: one at Disney’s Polynesian Resort in Orlando, Fla., and the other in Virginia Beach, Va. The groom was honored with a bachelor party celebration weekend in Washington, D.C.

The rehearsal dinner was hosted by Carmen Gaba, the groom’s mother, the night before the ceremony at When Pigs Fly. Guests dined on a buffet supper that featured favorites of the bride and the groom, including vanilla and chocolate bee-sting cakes. It was at this time that the bride and groom presented their parents with gifts as a thank you for their love and support. It was also at this time that the groom presented diamond earrings to the bride as a wedding present.

The morning after the wedding the newlyweds left for a 10-day honeymoon in Maui, Hawaii. There they enjoyed zip-lining, parasailing, snorkeling, and a luau, among other activities. The couple also traveled to the main island of Hawaii to explore the state’s volcanic park.

Jennifer is a 2000 graduate of Fort Hill High School and a 2005 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with bachelor of science degrees in mathematics and psychology. Jennifer attends the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, and is pursuing her doctorate in psychology. She currently holds a master of arts degree from the university.

Jonathan is a 2000 graduate of Fort Hill High School and a 2004 graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park, with a bachelor of science degree in bio-chemistry. Jonathan has accepted a doctoral fellowship in molecular medicine with the University of Virginia, which he began this past June.

Jennifer and Jonathan deeply appreciate all who helped to create their memorable day. They would like to thank all of their family and friends who traveled both near and far to share in the first day of their lives together.