Going to the chapel . . .
and not the cleaners

By Diane Villano
Times Staff Writer

Though the Griffith-Peale house has stood on the corner of Frankford Avenue and Welsh Road for more than 240 years, Nicole Sherick, who grew up in Holmesburg, hadn’t ever really noticed the white stone building with the gabled roof until she and her husband spied the For Rent sign posted outside early last year.
According to the Historic American Buildings Survey, the home was built between 1736 and 1766, with additions and alterations undertaken about 1805 and then in 1865.
"My whole family is in this area. Everybody knew about the house but me," Sherick said.
The historic home, with its original hardwood floors, fireplaces, tiger’s-eye doorknobs and original wood trim, was just what she had been looking for.
Sherick, who was ordained as a minister 10 years ago, was looking for a place to officiate at wedding ceremonies that would offer couples an elegant yet affordable alternative for their nuptials without embarking on their lives together in major debt.
"My focus is on couples saving money," Sherick said. "New couples go into debt on their wedding. They forget they still have bills when they go home. If they already have money problems, their relationship suffers."
The wedding chapel wasn’t something Sherick had always planned. The business, she notes, "just happened."
Sherick, a 1991 graduate of St. Hubert High School, continued her education beyond her ordination. For years she had worked in the corporate world, and after the birth of her daughter, Sherick wanted to find something to give her flexibility and more time with her daughter, who now is 18 months old, and 11-year old son.
The assembly-line fashion of her brother’s wedding at a venue in South Philadelphia also inspired her. According to Sherick, the officiant had no sooner pronounced the couple as husband and wife when he called out, "Next."
"I couldn’t even hug my brother. The next couple were making their way up the aisle," she recalled.
Sherick knew she could do it better. And as an officially licensed minister, she set out to do just that.
Ceremonies at the Wedding Chapel are geared toward couples who aren’t affiliated with a church or can’t afford the expenses that are part of a church wedding.
Her services start at $95 for a ceremony with just the bride and groom. A simple ceremony with 10 guests is $125; up to 25 guests and a choice of ceremonial music is $250. The most extravagant service, for up to 40 guests, includes a consultation, ceremony, soloist musician, wedding cake, sparkling cider toast, gourmet wedding cookie favors and 50 digital photos for $1,150.
"For some clients, ninety-five dollars is a lot. Remember, they still have to pay fifty at City Hall," she said, referring to the marriage license. "This place is a palace to them. It’s about what works best for their lives."
Sherick officiated at the marriages of 100 couples last year, including weddings at other sites. While her business started by word-of-mouth, the Internet brought many couples who found her online.
"Each wedding is different. No two ceremonies are alike," she said.
The 33-year-old minister beamed as she spoke about her couples — young couples just starting out, a couple in their 70s who divorced 20 years earlier, an Ice Capades skater who married an engineer that worked with the show. One wedding had an international flair, with the bride from Spain and the groom from France.
"My favorite couples are elopements. They’re so much in love," Sherick said. "It’s the best job in the whole world. I love it. It’s intoxicating."
Ever the romantic, Sherick was looking forward to the Valentine’s Day ceremony of a couple who met 14 years ago — on Valentine’s Day.
She believes that ceremonies should be a reflection of the couple. In addition to offering resources for vows and readings, Sherick has information on a variety of unity ceremonies. While most people are familiar with the candle-lighting ceremony, there are others that couples can choose to bless their union.
Music also can personalize a wedding ceremony. Sherick’s husband, David, is a classically trained percussionist who recently played at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. He plays the vibraphone — an instrument that resembles a xylophone but sounds like bells, his wife explained.
The Wedding Chapel also can offer a flamenco group, jazz ensemble, salsa band — even a samba/bossa nova band.
Sherick is looking forward to her second spring in the the Wedding Chapel. On Saturday, March 3, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., she’ll be hosting an open house for prospective brides and grooms to see the bright and airy ceremony rooms of the Griffith-Peale house, along with the grounds that, come spring, will be blooming and can be used for outdoor ceremonies.
Most important, Sherick wants engaged couples to meet her and wedding coordinator Melissa Blanco. A native of Spain, Blanco is bilingual and can answer any questions for Spanish-speaking couples.
"It’s important to establish that relationship," Sherick said. "The goal is to create something beautiful. David will be playing. There will be refreshments, cakes and cookies."
Financial planner Julie Tung Conway also will be on hand to offer advice.
"I just want to save them money," Sherick said. "Let them invest the money they’d spend on a bigger wedding in their future. I want people to believe in marriage, and I want to do as much as I can to make their lives the best for each other." ••
For information, call 215-338-0760 or visit www.theweddingchapelpa.com
Reporter Diane Villano can be reached at 215-354-3036 or dvillano@phillynews.com