Bridal Shower

Rehearsal Dinner 

St Joseph On the Brandywine

Wedding

Ceremony

Mendenhall Inn

Reception

Brunch

Summer

Our Wedding

Grace and Mark met at DeSales University during freshman orientation and became fast friends in trivia and community service events. They enjoyed their time together studying for biology exams the night before and then getting off topic getting to know each other instead of learning for their test. That time was very well spent. They had their first date in April of 2018 when Mark took Grace to the movie “A Quiet Place” after asking if she liked scary movies. Grace said that she would enjoy going to the scary movie with Mark, although Mark later learned that meant she wanted to go on the date with him but also really does not like scary movies. Grace forced him to watch a children’s movie to make up for scaring her on the first date. Two lessons learned, don’t take Grace to a scary movie unless you are okay with watching hours of Mulan afterwards and don’t do a scary movie for the second date. After plenty of dates during the rest of freshman year, including more study dates that became a time to get to know each other better instead of studying, their relationship grew stronger. Mark kept them on track as best he could while Grace provided some much needed distraction with her jokes and nicknames. Cheez-it was Mark’s personal favorite nickname for him.When summer came, they couldn’t stay apart and found ways to meet up each week. Mark made their relationship official on July 21st with roses and candles in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. They leaned on each other through their rigorous academic programs, and were a constant source of strength and love for each other through late nights, sports, and stressful times. They stuck together through Covid and long distance, including when Mark moved to Denver for a year to be with his sister and brother-in-law. As they approach their wedding and the beginning of the rest of their lives, they look forward to traveling adventures, children’s movies, beach days, amusement parks, dancing, and building a home together.

Our Story

Photos

Bride’s Party

Faith is the second Merritt daughter. Grace and Faith are often confused for each other and have been told that you can tell them apart by their eyebrows. Faith loves a good book, kids movies, and traveling. Grace and Faith love playing board games, amusement parks, laughing at comedy specials, and sweet memories cake. 

Fun Fact: Faith can quote the majority of the Ice Age franchise.

Faith is currently studying to be an Doctor of Occupational Therapy at Misericordia University.


Faith Merritt

Hope is the third daughter in the Merritt family. She brings chaotic energy and lots of laughter to family time. Grace and Hope enjoy beach days, getting their nails done, country line dancing, shopping trips, and lots of kids movies. Grace loves that Hope brings loving crazy energy to all family activities. Hope often gets mistaken for Grace in high school. 

Fun Fact: Hope is the animal expert in the family and a favorite of the family hedgehog. 

Hope is a massage therapist and studying to be an equine therapist at the University of Delaware. 


Hope Merritt

Luke is the youngest of Grace’s siblings and just as younger brothers do, he fills her life with jokes and teasing! They love ice cream sundaes, escape rooms, board games, movie nights, pickleball games, and video games. Grace loves that she can convince Luke to be her partner in crime in just about anything! 

Fun Fact: Luke loves singing and will sing along with every song he knows. 

Luke is currently a senior at Archmere Academy, looking to study to be a mechanical engineer. He graduates a weekend before the wedding!!!! 


Luke Merritt

Grace and Jenna met as roommates in graduate school. Mark loves taking credit for this friendship as he introduced them. Grace and Jenna bonded over the bachelor, sweet wine, and dancing! Grace’s treasured memories with Jenna include cooking dinner together, dancing, and hiking. Fun Fact: Jenna has chickens and sheep as pets! 
Jenna is a Urogynecology PA and she improves patients quality of life with her caring personality and bright smile. 


Jenna Phenicie

Kaylie and Grace met at Christ the Teacher school. They have been friends so long that Grace cannot recall how they became friends. They remained friends when attending Archmere together and prioritized their friendship when attending different colleges. Grace’s treasured memories include amusement parks, many volleyball teams, dancing, and shopping! Fun Fact: Kaylie does not watch any movies and can always be tempted with a soft pretzel. 
Kaylie is currently a corporate tax accountant and Grace looks forward to never doing taxes again. 


Kaylie Leclerc

Grace and Lauren met in the DeSales Doctor of Physical Therapy program. They hosted weekly game nights with their friend Rizzgi! Following grad school, they spent nearly every day together studying for boards and playing pickleball! Grace treasures their game nights, frequent snack breaks when together, and now wedding planning. Fun fact: Lauren is from Florida and is cold weather intolerant!
Lauren is a pediatric physical therapist who helps babies improve their mobility while giving the entire family a reason to smile. 


Lauren Linguanti

Grace and Naomi met at Archmere Academy in Madame Theil’s French class. They became fast friends and bonded over shared confusion in field ecology. Some of their best memories are board games, movie nights, and beach days! They love binge watching movies together with multiple plates of nachos. Fun fact: Naomi hiked the entire Appalachian trail and she hates losing at board games!
Naomi is currently living at a commune and is becoming an expert at DIY and picking fruit!


Naomi Graf

Grace and Meredith met at Archmere Academy on the lacrosse team. They became close through sharing baked potatoes at lunch, McDonald’s trips, and Kairos. Their treasured memories include philly nights, olive garden dates, and shopping trips! Fun Fact: Meredith has too many allergies and Grace stresses about killing her at dinner
Meredith is currently in Med school to be a pediatric physician!


Meredith Capuli

Groom’s Party

Jericho and Mark met in freshman year of college. They became fast friends as they studied for exams together, watched movies, and had many late night deep life talks on weekends.

Jericho Pigon

Joe and Mark met in college when Mark joined the friend group that now make up most of his groomsmen. Joe and Mark shared many nights at Chinese restaurants, and many days exploring cities and hikes.

Joe Fuller

Tyler and Mark met in college. They’ve grown closer over the years of going in to Bethlehem with the friend group and through multiple trips together, the latest one to the Philippines. Tyler has also shown Mark his favorite TV shows.

Tyler Marcantuono

Angel and Mark met in college. They have many memories of being confused in philosophy class, dancing at parties together, and spending time in LA, where Angel now lives.

Angel Falcon

Jacob and Mark met in college. They spent many late nights studying together, going out for a beer with the friend group, and having philosophical talks.

Jacob Maruscak

Kevin and Mark met in college. Kevin and Mark shared their mutual love of soccer and finance. Kevin and mark also lived together during college.

Kevin Do

Mark spent many of his years growing up with Josiah around as Josiah and Sarah were dating. Josiah and Mark spent part of their time together in Venture Crew. Mark also lived with his sister and brother-in-law out in Colorado for about 2 years.

Josiah Smith

Sarah has always been a source of pride and a role model for Mark. They have been close growing up and enjoyed their time together out in Colorado. She used to dress him up as an animal or Mickey Mouse while he was the smaller little brother. Now he is the bigger (but still little) brother and she is always willing to give sisterly advice whenever he needs it.

Grace & Mark

Grace & Mark

Q + A

How far is the church from the reception?

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