It was a day after Valentine's Day in 2015, when Ember came in from Philadelphia to Maryland to visit friends. After the Federal Hill Bar Crawl her best friend invited some friends over to hangout, one of them being Patrick. After that day there were many phone calls, texts, long weekend trips with Ember living in Philadelphia and Patrick living in Baltimore. On April 11, 2015, Patrick took Ember to the Inner Harbor by the water to ask her to be his girlfriend. It was a year later and Ember moved to Baltimore to be with Patrick. Ember has always been the planner and Patrick has always been the laid back calm one, and the two together make the perfect pair. As the two lived together for over four years, they have become the best versions of themselves with each other. On August 30, 2020, Patrick took Ember to the Inner Harbor where their story began, as he got on one knee and asked her to marry him. Both Patrick and Ember cannot wait to share this special moment of their lives and celebrate their wedding with all of you!

The Ketubah Signing -Prior to the ceremony beginning, the ketubah will be signed in private. The Ketubah symbolizes the Jewish marriage contract. The Ketubah will be signed by Rabbi Alison Kobey, Patrick and Ember, along with the witnesses they have chosen. The Processional -Rabbi Alison Kobey will enter with the ketubah and walk under the chuppah* *The Chuppah represents a home. It is typically a structure made of four poles with a covering on top. The four sides remain open to symbolize the welcoming of friends and family into the home. -At a Jewish wedding ceremony, both parents walk their children down the aisle. Patrick will be escorted by his mother, Susan Harnett. Ember will walk down the aisle with her mother and father, Helen and Larry Schaeffer. The Ceremony -The Circling: Ember will circle Patrick seven times. Circling “seven times” corresponds with the seven wedding blessings and demonstrates that the groom is the center of the Brides’ life. (This also symbolizes her protective care of her husband). -Exchange of Rings -Reading of the Ketubah -Sheva Berachot: 7 Blessings -The Talit (Prayer Shawl) will then be wrapped around Ember and Patrick as Rabbi Alison Kobey blesses them. -Rabbi Alison Kobey will then pronounce Patrick and Ember husband and wife -Breaking of the Glass: This is a symbolic prayer that the love for one another will remain until the pieces of the glass come together again. Patrick will stomp on the glass and break it and all the guests yell MAZEL TOV! The Reception -After Ember and Patrick enter the reception, all are invited to dance the hora. This is a circling dance with the bride and groom in the middle. It symbolizes rejoicing in the new union. Patrick and Ember will be lifted onto chairs. Following the hora, we will be doing the Italian tradition, "La Tarantella," a way guests wish the newly married couple good luck. Similarly to the hora, all of the family and friends will dance in a circle around Ember and Patrick.