St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Wedding

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Wedding

Marcia and Shiva had a touching St. Paul’s Episcopal Church wedding and a jubilant Cleveland Botanical Garden reception.

Please enjoy, Scott Shaw Photo | Cleveland Wedding Photographer

We started with getting ready photos and a first look at Glidden House. It’s so convenient for a Cleveland Botanical Garden wedding plus their St Paul’s Episcopal Church wedding was just a few miles away in Cleveland Heights.

Marcia and Shiva sent me some info on how they met, etc. and I will share just a small part of here since this is offically about their wedding day. These two are amazing people and I loved getting to know them over the last year or so.

They met in 2017 at a party in New York City and reconnected two years later in Washington DC. Both were thanks to their mutual friend Helena.They really hit it off this time and have been together since.

Shiva: “I quickly began showing Marcia around the city. And we never stopped exploring together. There’s a lot that binds us, but our love for public service, walks in the woods, and building community are high on the list.”

After the pandemic Shiva quarantined with Marcia’s family in Cleveland. “It was a formative few weeks for us. Fast forward to 2025 and we’ve been through seven apartments, six jobs, law school, six national parks and much more. Eventually we realized that we wanted to spend the rest of our lives together.

“I proposed in November 2024 and we quickly decided to come back to Cleveland for our St. Paul’s Episcopal Church wedding. Throughout the planning we tried to emphasize vendors from Ohio and to bring in different elements of our backgrounds and passions.”

From both of them: “We can’t quite believe how lucky we were for our wedding day. The St. Paul’s Episcopal Church wedding ceremony — which combined our Episcopalian and Lutheran roots — left us feeling closer to each other, loved by our family and excited for the future. We had the most perfect October weather and our guests were able to enjoy the beauty of the Cleveland Botanical Garden inside and out. At the reception, we were so moved by the speeches of our parents and our friends Abby and José. And the Bottom Line band kept everyone dancing all night long!

“We are so grateful we could celebrate this day surrounded by our loved ones. We welcomed guests from the United Kingdom and India as well as 19 states and Washington, D.C. — all of whom arrived despite the ongoing government shutdown.”

Marcia adds a few specifics about her gorgeous dress: “It was a singular experience to work with a tailor like Miranda. I have always loved vintage and I knew I wanted a vintage wedding gown. With this dress, I wanted to keep the integrity of the original 1940s designer’s vision while bringing it into the 21st century. Miranda made it come to life. She made very few changes to the mantilla-style veil, which is handmade lace, other than removing the original headpiece.”

Marcia also changed into her mother Marla’s wedding dress for the reception which was also altered by Miranda’s Vintage Bridal. At the rehearsal diner she wore a burgundy vintage 1940’s suit from her stepmother Catherine. Shiva wore a navy Bandhgala suit that was custom made for him in India.

I love it when my couple shares so much about themselves!

Enjoy looking at their St. Paul’s Episcopal Church wedding and Cleveland Botanical Garden reception.

Marcia’s mother Marla helped with the dress.

Marcia and Shiva are blessed with wonderful parents. Marcia’s mother, Marla, left, plus Shiva’s parents Rajiv and Faith and Marcia’s father, Bob and stepmother Catherine.

Father Bob walked Marcia down the aisle.

Officiants: Dr. Kevin Vandiver of Lutheran Church of the Reformation & Rev. T.J. Freeman of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
Ceremony: St Paul’s Episcopal Church
Reception: Cleveland Botanical Garden
Catering: Marigold Catering
Band: The Bottom Line band with Cleveland Music Group
Cake: By Cenza Cake Studio; We also served gulab jamun (an Indian dessert) from Cafe Tandoor Cleveland
Florist: Segelin’s Florist
Ceremony dress: Vintage 1940s gown and antique veil purchased at Miranda’s Vintage Bridal; Alterations by Miranda’s Vintage Bridal.
Reception dress: Bride’s mother’s wedding gown; Alterations by Miranda’s Vintage Bridal
Suit: Brooks Brothers
Bride’s shoes: Vintage from Miranda’s Vintage Bridal
Groom’s shoes: Jos. A. Bank
Engagement Rings: Secrète Fine Jewelry
Wedding bands: Robert Lawrence Jewelers
Hair: Mane Chic
Groom’s hair: The Gentleman’s Cave Luxury Barber Lounge
Makeup: Mane Chic
Nails: Manifest Manicures
Wedding coordinator/or planner: Dream Event Services
Signage-invites and seating: Truly Inspired Paper Company (for invites and save the dates) & Bride’s mother (for the painted signs)
Linens etc.: Marigold
Organist: Kevin Jones
Carillonneur: George Leggiero
Bus: TL Worldwide Transportation
Assistant: Parker Shaw

What a beautiful St. Paul’s Episcopal Church wedding!

Bonus links:

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church wedding info:

https://www.stpaulscle.org/weddings/

Cleveland Botanical Garden wedding info:

https://holdenfg.org/cleveland-botanical-garden/weddings-and-occasions/#weddings

Glidden House info:

https://www.hotelsone.com/cleveland-hotels-us/the-glidden-house.html/#weddings

A past Cleveland Botanical Garden wedding:

https://scottshawphoto.com/cleveland-botanical-garden-wedding-meghan-nick/#weddings

A bit more about their St Paul’s Episcopal Church wedding: St. Paul’s was first established in 1846 in Cleveland. After several moves it ended up in Cleveland Heights in 1928 with a English Gothic style buidling. It’s in the Fairmount Boulevard District and listed on the National Register of Historic Places.