Real Weddings

Merick Stanchak & Chad Starr: 10-24-09

By Lisa Y. Taylor

Photography By Josh Fowler Photography

Water has a way of working its enchantment upon Merick Stanchak and Chad Starr. Dancing by a river bank on a sultry afternoon marked the couple’s first encounter in 2003. Five years later, while they strolled along a boat pier, he proposed to her. And on October 24, 2009, they tied the knot at The Marquardt Ranch, on a bluff overlooking the sparkling Guadalupe River.

“Our wedding couldn’t have been more perfect,” Merick says. “The outdoors and water have always brought us together, so it was special to exchange vows as the river flowed near by.”

Following their garden ceremony, they celebrated with 250 guests at the Marquardt Ranch’s elegant ballroom that melds sophistication and Hill Country charm.

Butterfly Beauty

Every blessing under the sun seemed to fall upon Merick and Chad on their wedding day. While family friend, vocalist Whitney McGinlay and the Trinity University String Ensemble performed “For You” by John Denver, the wind gently rocked kissing balls of white roses and pink peonies, and butterflies fluttered around the wedding party and guests.

Just before the procession, one of the bride’s sisters and bridesmaids, Elizabeth Stanchack found a Monarch butterfly and placed it on her bouquet of pink roses and orchids. Josh Fowler Photography captured the beauty of the magnificent creature which has symbolized life and hope in the most important days of Merick’s life.

“The day she was born, the dawn was filled with butterflies,” says the bride’s mother, Mary Stanchack. “Our ‘butterfly baby’ emerged as a beautiful bride, spreading her grown-up wings.”

Indeed, with both her parents at her side, the bride walked down the rose-lavished garden path to meet her groom. The sweetheart neckline of her Atelier Diagonale gown coordinated with the bodice style of the black bridesmaids gowns accented with a carnation pink sash.

Before taking their vows, the wedding couple listened intently to Merick’s 87-year-old grandfather, Jack Benson, who compared married life to the unpredictable waters of the ocean. The words were especially relevant since the bride grew up visiting her grandparents’ coastal home, and Chad is an avid fisherman.

“We don’t know what lies ahead,” her grandfather said. “What we do know is that your love will carry you through. Throughout marriage, you will be asked to make sacrifices, but love can make it easy, and true love can make it a joy.”

Following those words of encouragement, the groom’s grandparents, Lee Roy and Mary Anna Weigang, sang in sweet harmony to, “Amazing Grace.”

During the wedding vows, the poignancy of the moment bestowed tears on Merick. Still, her eyes cherished the nature that enveloped her and Chad.

“The pink flowers around the arbor looked gorgeous against the lush green trees,” she says. “And of course, the butterflies added to the perfection of the day.”

Rustic Refinement

With the evening sun still shining, the ballroom’s French doors welcomed golden hues that illumined centerpiece bouquets of pink roses, white and green hydrangea and curly willow. The black wrought iron vases, black linens and mahogany Chiavari chairs conveyed polished sensibility that complemented the distinguished Hill Country stone walls.

To most everyone’s surprise, the newlyweds made their grand entrance down one of the ballroom’s spiral staircases.

“We were very eager to make our big appearance and see everybody,” Merick says. “I remember how the votives along the staircase gave this wonderful, warm glow as we descended.”

With the impeccable service of Page Barteau Catering, the couple and their guests sat down to an exquisitely-presented dinner of baby spinach salad with fresh strawberries, toasted almonds and poppy seed vinaigrette; beef tenderloin medallions with a cabernet demi-glace and grilled chicken with artichoke hearts and mushrooms. Green garlic mashed potatoes and grilled vegetables accompanied the entrée duet.

Reflecting their affinity for wine, the couple left heart-shaped wine bottle stoppers at every place setting. The keepsake was wrapped in a pink organza bag and a note of thanks printed on vellum paper. The bottle stoppers complemented the engraved wine corks they had mailed months earlier as save-the-date reminders.

“From the very beginning of our relationship, Chad and I have enjoyed experiencing the tastes and colors of fine wines,” Merick says. “We’ve also attended plenty of Texas Country concerts, and he taught me how to hunt on his family’s ranch.”

In fact, the two massive tiers of the groom’s cake stood on stacked deer antlers arranged by his mother. The chocolate cake, as well as the four-tier buttercream bridal cake, were baked by Cakes by Cathy Young.

Sharp-dressed Cowboys

During the first dance song, “Hearts are Breaking Across Texas,” Chad sang along to the Aaron Watson song:

“Words cannot express the way you look in that white dress.
I don’t believe there’s ever been such a beautiful sight.
All my dreams are coming true, that yellow rose ain’t got nothing on you.
Hearts are breaking across Texas tonight.”

After the formal dances, Chad and his groomsmen changed out of their tuxedos and sported classy button-down shirts and blue jeans and dapper cowboy boots and hats. They donned their rustic attire for swinging and two-stepping with the ladies to the live band, “Eleven Hundred Springs.” Decked in black western suits, the five-piece group filled the dance floor with their mix of country and rock that included prowess on the steel guitar and fiddle.

“When all the boys changed into their dance hall attire, we were able to relax for the rest of the reception,” Merick says. “The band played upbeat songs, giving everyone a good time.”

At the close of the last set, the couple stepped outside the venue’s handsome wood doors and boarded a white Excursion limousine. They spent their first night at Tapatio Springs in Boerne, and they honeymooned in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Again, the waters produced magical memories.

“We went deep sea fishing on aquamarine waters, soaked in the sunshine as we got a couple’s massage on the beach, and relished the scenery on our own private balcony,” Merick says. “We had an awesome start to our lives together.”

Wedding Details

Ceremony & Reception Venue: The Marquardt Ranch
Minister: Rev. Bob Walden
Bridesmaids’ Dress Shop: Mayfair Bridal
Caterer & Rentals: Page Barteau Catering
Cake: Cakes by Cathy Young
Florist: AlstroemeriaCeremony Musicians: Trinity University String Ensemble
Reception DJ: Alusstra Events
Reception Musicians: Eleven Hundred Springs
Photographer & Videographer: Josh Fowler Photography
Transportation: Concert Limousine Service
Honeymoon Hotel: Tapatio Springs