Published 7:00 pm, Saturday, June 29, 2013
Folger Kavanagh Miss Katharine Elisabeth Folger and Mr. Ryan Patrick Kavanagh were united in the Sacrament of Matrimony on Saturday, June 15, 2013, at eleven o'clock in the morning at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Notre Dame, Indiana. Reverend Wilson D. Miscamble, CSC of Notre Dame officiated and the Reverend Monsignor Larry J. Droll, PA, Pastor of St. Ann's Catholic Church in Midland, concelebrated the Nuptial Mass. Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore an elegant white silk strapless A-line gown with re-embroidered Alençon lace which was beautifully accompanied by a jacket with a front bateau neckline, long sleeves, V-back, and trailing lace sashes. The jacket, specifically fashioned for the bride, and the gown were designed by Monique Lhuillier. A cathedral length veil featuring graduated edge lace applique completed the bride's ensemble. Serving as the bride's Maid of Honor was her sister Christine Marie Folger of Houston. Bridesmaids included Megan Aileen Kavanagh of West Chester, Pennsylvania, sister of the groom, Kelly Elaine Craig of Abilene, childhood friend of the bride, and friends from the University of Notre Dame: Mason Virginia Bashaw of Houston, Erin Marie Ellis of Houston, Morgan Anne Pino of New York City, Courtney Elizabeth Sands of New York City, and Claire O'Brien Sunderland of Los Angeles, California. The flower girls were the daughters of the groom's cousins: Miss Claire Elaine McKenna of Broomall, Pennsylvania, Miss Hannah Catherine Gorrell and Miss Grace McKenna Gorrell of Haddon Township, New Jersey. Gift Bearers were cousins of the bride: Abigail Marie Folger, Amelia Michelle Folger, Allison McKayla Folger, Megan Elizabeth Sitzman, and Emma Catherine Sitzman, all of Midland. The Best Man was Matthew Francis Montgomery of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, childhood friend of the groom. Groomsmen included Kevin Gerald Kilpatrick of Hoboken, New Jersey, childhood friend of the groom, and friends from the University of Notre Dame: Andru Gardner Creighton of Indianapolis, Indiana, Nathan Glen Feldpausch of Houston, Ethan Andrew Johnson of Jacksonville Beach, Florida, Michael Thomas Payne of San Francisco, California, David Scott Ruffer of Oakton, Virginia, and Nicholas Joseph Schappler of Arlington, Virginia. Following the ceremony, the bride's parents hosted a luncheon at Club Naimoli and later a formal reception at the South Dining Hall. The 1927 neo-gothic building's tall windows and soaring ceilings were enhanced by perimeter candle lighting, golden shantung fabrics, mercury glass accents, and ivory floral arrangements of hydrangeas, orchids, and tulips. High Society Orchestra of Chicago entertained the guests during the evening with their dinner and dance music. All of the wedding day celebrations took place on the University of Notre Dame campus. The day before, the mother of the groom held a rehearsal dinner at La Salle Grill in downtown South Bend. On the eve of the wedding, Midlanders Jan and Joe O'Neill, Ann and Anthony Folger, and Michelle Brock hosted a celebration at O'Brien's, an Irish pub-themed club in the Compton Arena to honor the bride and groom. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Daniel Folger of Midland. She is the granddaughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Guy Richard Folger and of Mrs. John Herman Giese of Houston and the late Mr. John Herman Giese. The bride is a 2008 graduate of Midland High School. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Notre Dame in 2012 and an Master of Science in Accounting in 2013 from the University of St. Thomas in Houston. She is employed by PriceWaterhouseCoopers as an auditor in Houston. Mr. Kavanagh is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Robert Kavanagh of Mount Laurel, New Jersey and of Mr. and Mrs. Peter George Cramer of West Chester, Pennsylvania. He is the grandson of Mrs. Robert Joseph Kavanagh of Peabody, Massachusetts and the late Mr. Robert Joseph Kavanagh and of Mrs. Edward Joseph McKenna of Media, Pennsylvania and the late Mr. Edward Joseph McKenna. The groom is a 2008 graduate of Salesianum School in Wilmington, Delaware. He received a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of Notre Dame in 2012. Mr. Kavanagh is employed with Anadarko Petroleum as a Facilities Engineer in the Gulf of Mexico Deepwater Group located in The Woodlands, Texas. Following a honeymoon in Costa Rica, the couple will reside in Houston, Texas.