Frederick / DeRosia

OCTOBER 2, 2021 ~ NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI ~ PHOTOGRAPHY BY DAVID FROST

Joanna Marie Frederick and Christopher Lee DeRosia both of Denver, Colorado, were married on October 2, 2021, at Saint Mary Basilica in Natchez, Mississippi, with Reverend Mark Shoffner as Mass Celebrant.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stan Burkley of Natchez and Mr. Paul Frederick of Vidalia, Louisiana. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Joseph A. Gamberi of Natchez and the late Mr. and Mrs. Warren Frederick of Vidalia.

The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce DeRosia of Charlevoix, Michigan, and the grandson of the late Mr. and Mrs. Lester Gallagher of Charlevoix and the late Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth DeRosia of Lansing, Michigan.

During the ceremony, Robin Titone Branton was the scripture reader; and Dr. Franco Gurman, organist and pianist, and violinist Monquez Ford provided the music. Vocalist Stacey Trenteseaux sang “Ave Maria” as the mothers were seated and “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” during the processional of the wedding party. The bride processed to the strains of “Trumpet Voluntary”; and Stacey Trenteseaux sang “O Divine Redeemer” and “I Have Loved You” along with other mass selections. “Hornpipe” from Water Music Suite was the recessional. The beautiful dried boho flowers on the main and side altars along with plants and lanterns used in the back of church and foyer were designed by Sharman Hart of The Flower Station in Natchez. Program attendant was Emery Kathylynn DeRosia, niece of the groom. Wedding coordinators were Carolyn Eidt and Cheryl Rinehart while the photographer was David Frost from Alabama.

Given in marriage by her step-father, the bride wore a Georgia Young Couture ivory and truffle gown handmade in Australia. The gown was of embroidered lace paired with unique architectural paneling with wide silk binding detail over the bodice. It had an open square neckline and square backline with a fitted silhouette and a natural flare at the hem and soft train. An ivory Allure bridal cathedral cape veil was attached at the shoulders; and attached underneath the gown was a small white memory bag holding items belonging to her greatgrandmother, mother, and brother. The bride carried a boho bouquet of dried ivory and truffle colored flowers designed by John Grady Burns of Nest in Natchez. She complemented this with a blue-and-white handkerchief, attached to the front of which was an angel pin that belonged to her late grandmother, Mrs. Joseph A. Gamberi.

Serving as maid of honor was Susan Henry Harris of Ferriday, Louisiana. Bridesmaids were Sarah Powers Aldridge of Natchez; Kathryn Elizabeth Barlow of New Orleans, Louisiana; Julie Nelson Bidenbaugh of Greenville, South Carolina; Elizabeth Burns Calloway of Little Rock, Arkansas; Ana Alicia Gamberi Payne of Muenster, Texas; Mary Elizabeth McDavid of Starkville, Mississippi; and Julia Frederick Novarini of Houston, Texas. These attendants wore gowns of their own selection in taupe satin, mauve chiffon, or dusty purple velvet. Each carried dried boho bouquets designed by John Grady Burns with ivory flowers and touches of purple that he and the bride had selected. The flower girl was Eliza Kate Harris, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Cameron Harris of Ferriday. She wore a white satin and tulle gown with butterfly inlays on the top bodice and ivory satin ribbon. A train with butterfly inlays was attached at the waist. She wore a white flower crown and carried a basket with flowers. Chasity Leigh Boling of Memphis, Tennessee, served as proxy bride. Attending the groom as best man was his father. Groomsmen were Joshua Christos Markou of Western Springs, Illinois; Andrew Lee DeRosia of Caledonia, Michigan; John Carrell Arcello of Mesa, Arizona; Bryan James Stewart of New Hudson, Michigan; Chad James Stewart of Novi, Michigan; and Joseph Robert Gamberi of Natchez. Ushers were Andrew Jorge Novarini of Houston, Texas, and Noah Andrew DeRosia of Caledonia, Michigan. The ring bearer was Wade Ryan Provance, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ryan Provance of Folsom, Louisiana. He carried a bird’s nest with rings in the center of the blue eggs. All wore black tuxedos with white shirts and boho boutonnieres of dried ivory flowers.

After the wedding, a Southern reception with a boho flair was held at Linden Bed and Breakfast in Natchez. Guests were taken by shuttle from the church to the reception if needed. A trolley provided transportation for the wedding party and parents. The bride and groom arrived at their reception in a limousine, and a shuttle provided transportation during the reception; Oscar Davis was amazing at arranging this!

Music by The Rouge Krewe of Lafayette, Louisiana, welcomed all to the reception with its beautiful decorations by John Grady Burns under lighted tents furnished by Box K Events. Rene Adams with her amazing team along with Christi, Allen, and Mark at Linden created an amazing reception. Photographer for the occasion was David Frost from Alabama, and events coordinator Cheryl Rinehart directed all the magical memories.

As the bride and groom arrived, they were led to the dance floor for their first dance as newlyweds. However, they chose a nontraditional dance they choreographed with a combination of fun moves. Molly Manning

created the most beautiful wedding cake, a vanilla cake with almond buttercream icing and pressed flowers to complement the boho theme. She prepared cookies with magnolia flowers for Mississippi, columbine flowers for Colorado, wild flowers, and monograms. Chasity Rogers created assorted macaroons to display on a table in the bride’s room. Chasity Boling fashioned the rich chocolate groom’s cake with a soccer ball on top since the groom is an avid soccer player. She also created chocolate chip cookies displayed along with chocolate mints.

The bride and groom enjoyed cutting the cakes with the wedding knife the groom’s parents used on their wedding day; and the couple made their traditional toast with champagne chilled in the bride’s late maternal grandmother’s silver container.

The bride created a display stand of family photographs titled “Love Actually is All Around” from her favorite movie, Love Actually. It showcased family pictures from the weddings of great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, and siblings. A basket with wildflower seeds invited guests to take a sampling as they departed the reception, a favor to take home and plant as a memento of the occasion.

As the reception was ending, guests waving glo-sticks and light-up wands lined the passageway to celebrate the couple’s send-off. The bride and groom were greatly surprised to see a decorated hippie van waiting to whisk them away—an exciting and fun exit!!!

On the day before the wedding, the bride and her attendants were honored with a bridal luncheon at the home of her aunt, Mrs. Andreé Gamberi. Here, they enjoyed a lovely luncheon hosted by Mrs. Cheryl Rinehart, Mrs. Amelia McDonald, Ms. Patty Barlow, and Mrs. Andreé Gamberi. They then observed the charm cake tradition; and thereafter, the bride presented gifts to her wedding party.

The night before the wedding, the groom’s parents hosted a cocktail hour and rehearsal dinner at Epyx in Natchez where guests enjoyed music by Drew and Bubba. On the previous evening, the soon-to-be-wed couple hosted a “Let’s Taco about Marriage” meet-and-greet at 100 Main where guests were treated to a tantalizing taco bar.