Don't worry, neither has the bride! We're all going to do just fine. Orthodox marriage ceremonies are among the oldest marriage ceremonies still practiced today. You'll first notice that there are no pews; congregants usually stand for the duration of the service. However, if you need to sit for any or all of the ceremony, you will find benches around the perimeter of the church. If you do stand, there is no "bride" or "groom" side, so just stand wherever you have a good view! Sophie and Matthew will be in the center of the church and will move around the central altar during parts of the service. There is no audience participation required so just relax and enjoy. The only etiquette point to note is please avoid having your back to the priest during the service.
The wedding ceremony will last about an hour and 15 minutes.
The betrothal: The wedding bands are blessed and exchanged three times between the bride and groom's hands. In Orthodoxy, wedding bands are worn on the right-hand ring finger. The crowning: This is the marriage part of the ceremony. The bride and groom's hands are joined and they'll hold hands for the remainder of the service to represent their oneness. The couple is then crowned to represent their sovereignty over their new home together. Loved ones will hold the crowns just above the couple's heads for this part of the service (a workout!). The couple then shares wine from a common cup symbolizing their shared life together. Finally, the priest will lead the couple around the altar three times for the couple's first steps as husband and wife.
Please keep in mind that unless there’s rain, a portion of the reception will take place outdoors. If you’re related to Sophie that means you should probably wear sunscreen. #PalePeopleProblems. September can still be quite warm in DC so please check the weather when planning your outfit. Cocktail attire usually means a suit or dressed-up dresses of any length but please don’t fret about your outfits. We’re so excited you can join us and hope you wear party clothes you love.
At the church: There's plenty of parking available along both 17th and Shepherd in the neighborhood near the church. Please take care to not block anyone's driveway! At the Cottage: There is abundant parking available at the cottage and you are welcome to park and leave your car here before the ceremony. Be advised that to enter the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home where the Cottage is located, you will need to stop at the guard post and have your IDs checked. The guards will have a list of our attendees so it'll be smooth sailing! Please note that cars cannot be left overnight at the cottage. Uber and Lyft are also readily available in DC if you'd rather not fuss with a car.
During cocktail hour we'll have two signature cocktails for you as well as a selection of wine and beer. After cocktail hour, beer and wine will be served until the end of the reception. Please note that red wine and other dark beverages are not allowed inside the historic parts of President Lincoln's Cottage.
Yes, please get in touch with us and we'll work to make sure you have food that works for you! We'll be serving Mediterranean and Indian food and will have multiple vegetarian options available.
Neither had we, until we stumbled on it! President Lincoln's Cottage is on the grounds of the Armed Forces Retirement Home, which is federal property and contains some of the largest green space in the District not managed by the National Parks Service. It's on a high point, meaning that there's always a bit of a breeze, even on a hot day. President Lincoln’s Cottage was built for banker George W. Riggs in 1842. The house is situated on a hilltop overlooking downtown Washington, D.C. and is an example of the Gothic-Revival style. During the Civil War, President Lincoln and his family relocated to the Soldiers’ Home for the “hot season.” The tranquil surroundings at the Soldiers’ Home offered refreshing breezes, a relief from White House protocol, and a place for the President to reflect on all-consuming decisions about military strategy, domestic policy, and foreign relations. Though often viewed as a sanctuary for the president, Lincoln was no less consumed with the war and issues of freedom and slavery here. In many ways, life at the Cottage brought the first family closer to the war and its human cost. At the Soldiers’ Home, Lincoln made some of the decisions that defined his presidency. He met and consulted with Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, Secretary of State William Seward, Vice President Hannibal Hamlin, and many others. He also formulated his ideas on how to bring about an end to slavery during the war in what became the Emancipation Proclamation.
We do not have a registry. We feel so honored that you will join us on our wedding day, please do not feel you need to get us a gift. If you are feeling exceptionally generous, the following are charities that are near and dear to our hearts: Partners in Health Maternal Center for Excellence in Sierra Lione Supports efforts to sustainably improve maternal and child health in Sierra Lione https://www.pih.org/maternal-center-excellence SF CASA Supports youth experiencing foster care in San Francisco https://www.sfcasa.org/ TB Patient Support Fund at the UCSF Center for TB/SF General Hospital TB Clinic Flexible and responsive fund available to clinic staff to cover food, bills and other supports to lighten the mental and physical load of people going through TB treatment in SF https://tinyurl.com/TBSupportFund Fr. Cassian Sibley's Uganda Fund Donations to Fr. Cassian's Uganda Fund go to support sustainable agriculture projects for Orthodox youth, monastery construction and repair in the Ugandan Orthodox Church, and to provide medical equipment to free and low cost clinics staffed by Orthodox medics that serve medically-underserved rural populations. The fund is administered by the Life-Giving Spring of the Mother of God Orthodox Church and donation may be made through the Church paypal account associated with the email frcassian@yahoo.com or mailed to the Life-Giving Spring Russian Orthodox Church, 1009 Winter Street, Bryan, Texas 77803. Please indicate in the memo that the donation is for Fr. Cassian Sibley's "Uganda Fund."