One Family, two weddings
2005 was truly a lovely year for the Malek family
as Michelle Malek du Pont and brother Fred W. Malek
each tied the knot in respectively stunning fashions
Michelle Malek duPont
and Christopher Olson
Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe, N.M.
For jewelry designer Michelle Malek du Pont and software entrepreneur
Chris Olson, New Mexico was the perfect spot to tie the
knot. Michelle and Chris said ‘I do’ in the elegant Loretto Chapel,
filled with red roses, which were especially beautiful against the
Santa Fe backdrop. The Loretto Chapel is home to the “Miraculous Staircase.” Built in 1870 and famous for its engineering structure (it has two 360
degree turns and no visible means of support), the staircase was constructed
by a traveling craftsman using only hand tools.
After the ceremony, in traditional New Mexico fashion, a mariachi band
paraded the bride and groom through town along with 45 of their closest
friends and relatives to the reception at La Posada where guests enjoyed
such Southwestern favorites as lobster burritos, fish tacos, and cucumber
margaritas. Guests received jewelry and cufflinks at the tables, made specifically
for them by Michelle, a jewelry designer for Saks Fifth Avenue and
other retail outlets. The bride and her seven year old daughter, the flower
girl/ring bearer, wore a similar necklace made by Michelle from real roses
and various colors of coral.
The fun was contagious, particularly for the bride, her mother Marlene,
and the bride’s 90 year old grandmother—as four generations danced into
the night!
Guests enjoyed the Mexican themed weekend, which included live
Mexican carnival music and dancing in downtown Santa Fe; massages at
10,000 Waves; hikes in the breathtaking Sangre de Cristo Mountains, in
the slot canyons; and the 1,000 year old Indian pueblo ruins in Bandelier,
New Mexico.
After the ceremony, a mariachi band paraded the bride and groom through town...
Fred W. Malek and Britlan Gorse
Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Georgetown Parish
Britlan Gorse earned a doctorate in clinical psychology and is currently
specializing in developmental assessment of infants and
toddlers at Children’s National Medical Center—two very
important career accomplishments that could very well help her
as she moves into family life. Equally as appropriate for the next stage in
his family life (especially if teenagers are in the picture) is Fred W. Malek’s
background–Mr Malek is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis,
MD, and has served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during the first
Gulf War. He is now founder and CEO of TIG Global, an interactive marketing
and web publishing firm.
But business and accomplishments were secondary on this picturesque
day at Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Georgetown. One good thing about
marrying close to home is having all your friends there to enjoy it, including
the 17 bridesmaids and groomsmen. An elegant upscale reception was
held at the Mayflower Hotel, where Britlan says, “the service was impeccable.” The hotel’s floral decorators created dramatic candelabras with giant
spheres of orchids, garden roses, and calla lilies. The colors chosen for the
wedding were terra-cotta, mahogany and bronze; the bride wore a classic
gown by Steven Yearick. Not a detail was overlooked from the couple’s
custom monogram–which adorned the wedding cake, ice sculptures, and
was projected onto the dance floor–to the cutting of the wedding cake
with the groom’s Navy standard issue sword…which we imagine was
not packed for the honeymoon trip to Morrea and Bora Bora, French
Polynesia.
next page >> |
