Written by Colleen

We have decided to get married here in Atlanta so the first thing I did was start looking for a church. I have always wanted a traditional church wedding, and nothing was going to change my mind on this one.

I had attended the same church in New York my entire life. When I was little, I rode by it on my bike in the summer, and in the winter, awed in its beauty when it was dressed up for the holidays. I attended other weddings there and dreamt about the day it would be my turn. It was warm and colonial, white with a tall steeple and a bright red door. I felt at home inside, with the numerous stained glass windows and the pale colored walls. At Jonesville United Methodist Church, everyone was welcome to join in worship without question, regardless of background or disciple or belief.

My goal in finding a church for our ceremony here in Atlanta was to match what I had grown up with in NY. David and I started attending services to get a feel for different styles, and ministers. We also paid great attention to the message that was being sent. Not only did we want to be married here, but we also wanted to marry in the church that we would attend regularly now and in the future with our family.

We first chose an Episcopalian Church and David was raised Episcopalian so it seemed it would work for us. We attended several services and had them pencil us in for our wedding date. The church was truly beautiful and grand. Definitely a location that made a statement, but...it didn't feel right to me. Something was missing and I was frustrated. Bottom line, it just didn't make me smile.

When I first met Keith from "by Hand Catering, Events, and Florals", he asked me where we were having the service. I told him about our church, but I also mentioned that I wasn't thrilled about it. He reminded me that I was getting married and the service should feel "like home" to me. Very True. He suggested we consider his church, St. Mark UMC on Peachtree and 5th. He said, "Come to the service on Sunday and I will meet you after the service to see what you think."

I knew instantly. From the moment I walked in through the bright red doors, I felt welcome and at home. We were greeted and smiled at by numerous people. Michael Cordle, the Senior Minister and his staff were brilliant. The message they sent was the one I was longing to hear. They duplicated the feeling I was so desperately searching for...home, love, god and peace. I was thrilled.

On top of the warmth, the church is absolutely breathtaking. Hundreds of years old, with red doors, huge stained glass windows, solid dark wood pews.

After several weeks, I was initiated as a member and we can't wait to take our vows there. I am so thankful that Keith suggested it. It is exactly the home I was looking for.

For more information on St. Mark UMC, click here.

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