started when Andrew called Paul Mainieri
to ask for hisdaughters hand.
My dad was just getting out ofpractice when his phone rang. He paced
in the outfieldwhile telling Andrew
how serious marriage is that itsnot a
spur-of-the-moment choice, Samantha
explains, adding,My dad is so old-fashioned.
His family ishis priority.
Fortunately, the coach warmed up
to the ideaby the time Andrew was
ready to propose. At theNotre Dame
O.S.C.A.R.S., anend-of-the-year student
athlete awards show, Samantha wasonstage to present an award. Just as the
teleprompter wentoff, Andrew walked
up to her and asked, Willyou grow old
and marry me? Though the moment wasperfect, according to Samantha, it wasnt
a complete surprise.My girlfriends cant keep secrets.
Neither can my mom.I had an idea it was
coming soon, but Ididnt know when,
Samantha recalls. Then I caught sightof
my parents in the audience. Andrew had
arranged forour parents to be there.
Wedding plans were already underway,and the site was familiar for the father of
thebride, since he coached baseball at the
University of NotreDame for 12 years.
Though she mostly grew up inSouth
Bend, Ind., Samantha chose a
Southern elegance theme forher wedding day, starting with
custom invitations from Dubois
Expressionswith a French
filigree outline, pink ribbons and
a fleur-de-lis wax seal.
Sonia Dubois helped me
pulltogether invitations, guest
books, programs and menus that
incorporated mycolors ivory,
champagne, ballerina pink and
bronze, Samantha says.Colors
are so bright up there in the fall.I wanted to do something neutral
with a touch ofpink.
The bridal party continued
the color scheme with champagneVera Wang bridesmaids
dresses tied with gold sashes,
and Samanthachose a Jasmine
Couture wedding gown, all from
Bridal Boutique.We changed the straps and
customized the skirt. Iwanted
something simple without too
much jazz, Samantha says.
Bridal Boutique was so accommodating
about the changes. It waseverything I
had pictured.
When it came time for Andrewand Samantha to exchange vows, they
were surrounded by familyand
friends, including 60 of Samanthas
fellow cheerleaders, ready
tocelebrate the couple. Among
the attendants was Samanthas
sister, Alex,who served as maid
of honor; Samanthas brothers,
Nick andTommy, were
groomsmen. The brides
siblings performed readings
during theceremony
as well.
The Morris Inn, within
walking distance ofthe
Basilica, was the site of the
couples reception. Theparty
took place in the Irish
courtyard, under a tentdraped in white, filled with
Sweet Avalanche roses and
pinkhydrangeas.
To round out the
theme, Southern food was
servedat the reception.
A seated brunch complemented
the morning
wedding,so the menu included quiche,
French toast with a BananasFoster sauce
and mimosas. For dessert, in addition to
AuntSallys pralines, guests also enjoyed
a six-tier cake (five layers of red velvet
and one layer of whitecake) covered
in sugar flowers from Unique Cakes in
SouthBend.
It took them 13 hours to make 30flowers, and there were more than 300
flowers on thecake. They started making
them in July, Samantha says.
Thereception included a jazz hour,
during which guests enjoyed brunchand
cocktails as well as music from Chicagos
Josh &The Empty Pockets. For their
first dance, Samantha and Andrewchose
Lucky by Jason Mraz and Colbie Caillat,
andthe celebration included a nod
to Louisiana and Garth BrooksCallin
Baton Rouge.
There were no fight songsplayed,
though! Samantha says.
Samantha recently accepted an executive
teamleader position with Target. Andrew,
the son of Stacey Richardsonand
Jeff Roth, works in enterprise resource
planning for SyscoCorp. They make
their home in Houston with their dogs,Magnolia and Beignet.
The bride and her
father danceto I
Loved Her First.
cover story
The couplestops to
light a candle at the
Grotto of OurLady
of Lourdes, a replica
of the original
in France.InRegister January 2010
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