Published: October 10, 2008 03:44 pm      

McGuire, Goldman wedding

COLLEGE PARK — One year ago, Oct. 14, 2007, Melissa G. Goldman and Joseph E. McGuire were united in marriage. The double ring ceremony was performed by Rabbi Jonathan Cohen at the University Maryland Chapel, College Park, where the bride and groom met.

The bride is daughter of Fred and Terry Goldman, Yorktown, Va. She is the granddaughter of Lucille Schwartz, Delray Beach, Fla. The groom is the son of MarySue and Bill Crawford, LaVale, and the late John E. McGuire Sr. He is the grandson of Reba McGuire, Cumberland.

A Jewish wedding is full of meaningful rituals, giving expression to the deepest significance and purpose of marriage. These rituals symbolize the beauty of the relationship of husband and wife, as well as their obligations to each other. In the traditional Jewish style, the groom was escorted to the altar by his mother and stepfather. The bride was escorted to the altar by her parents.

The wedding ceremony took place under the chuppah (canopy), a symbol of the home to be built and shared by the couple. It is open on all sides, just as Abraham and Sarah had their tent open on all sides to welcome friends and relatives in unconditional hospitality. Joey’s and Melissa’s chuppah was the prayer shawl of Melissa’s grandfather, the late Israel Schwartz.

Chuppah bearers were Adam Goldman, brother of the bride; Mickey McGuire, brother of the groom; Jeremy McGuire, brother of the groom; and Jack Kaufman, friend of the bride.

Matron of Honor was Sarah McGuire, sister-in-law of the groom. Bridesmaids were Sarah Lavalle, friend of the bride, and Shawntell Somers, niece of the groom. Flower girl was Kyla Hull, cousin of the groom.

Serving as best man was Jonathan McKenzie, best friend of the groom. Groomsmen were Alex Shangraw, friend of the groom; CJ Thrasher, friend of the groom; and Asa Simmons, cousin of the groom. Attending the guest book and programs were Laura Simmons, cousin of the groom, and Lizzie McGuire, niece of the groom.

Music was provided by pianist Benjamin Isecke. Music for the processional was “They Were You” by Tom Jones from the “Fantasticks” and the recessional music was the “The Imperial March” by John Williams.

The reception was held at Cherry Hill Conference Center, Washington D.C. Music was provided by DJ Tom Hicks. The reception was catered by the Three Brothers Italian Restaurant. A candle was lit at the reception in memory of the groom’s father, John McGuire Sr.; grandmother, Grace Troutman; grandfather, Jack McGuire; and the bride’s grandparents Israel Schwartz, Celia Goldman and David Goldman and great-grandmother, Fannie Hopin.

The next day brunch hosted by the mothers of the bride and groom was held at the Comfort Inn in Greenbelt, Maryland.

A rehearsal dinner was hosted by the groom’s mother and stepfather at the Green Turtle Bar and Grill, Laurel.

The bride and groom honeymooned by taking a five-day cruise to Bermuda.

The bride is a graduate of Memorial High School and the University of Maryland. She is currently employed by a religious non-profit organization.

The groom is a graduate of Allegany High School and the University of Maryland. He is currently employed by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service in Washington, D.C.

A shower was given for the bride at the home of the groom’s mother and hosted by the bridesmaids. A bachelorette party was given for the bride by Sarah McGuire at her residence in Cresaptown.

The couple currently resides in Greenbelt.