An Iowa wedding chapel, Stories & Testimonials

On your wedding day, it's so nice to be greeted by the smell of coffee. You are handed a cup by a carpenter who smiles and leans against the counter in the kitchenette. Across the sanctuary you watch as your family arrives to get dressed and ready for the photography.

You look forward to your best friend's arrival. After photos you'll have a few moments to visit before the walk down the aisle, when he will tease you about your ability to first ring the bell nine times in a way that sounds like you mean it and knew what you were doing - with no practice.

The photographer sets up his cameras and lights while the candles are put plumb in the candelabras and pew bows artistically hung on the pews. The old crooners are singing in the background on a compilation CD, and a middle aged gal in bibbies holds a needle and thread, or florist wire and tape to fix the little things that break. She has scissors in her back pocket and corsage pins at the ready.

It's nice to know that just the right minister will be along after while to lead you in your vows - perhaps written after feverish thought, something you are uncertain about revealing - but ultimately necessary for HER contentment. Your dimple shows for an instant at the thought.

You go outside alone for a breath of fresh air, lose yourself to imaginings while you watch the water spring up in the fountain, unaware of the wind chimes that follow you through the yard past the gardens and up the arching ramp into the kitchenette again.

And there they all are, waiting for you to take your place next to her, your arm around her waist. Smiles and pauses and laughter - and on to the windows, out along the garden path, the ornate benches, in front of the little church and every other interesting nook and cranny possible - before you meet in the bell tower to have that visit with your very best friend. The one who came from across the country, or from a far corner in the world. It's time to ring that bell for all you're worth - so she can hear it across the chapel in the bride's room, where she waits breathless. And you wouldn't want it any other way.

If you have longed to speak your vows in an old fashioned church that sits among the gardens, where the sun's light filters through stained glass windows, music echoes sweetly, and the candles' glow beckons you to speak of unending love, come to Candle Lit Way. We'd love to cry at your wedding.

Dan & Mary Ellen Oberender
Resident Caretakers - Incurable Romantics

Anxious Groom

An anxious groom took his turn as he and his bride stood before the minister, and read from a letter he'd written to express the changes in his life since he'd met her. Simple words, jumbled and pretty, in a language spoken before only in his own mind. His hushed voice cracked, and he faltered.

Words he'd written with care and knew by heart were mere whispers, yet had caught him unprepared. He collected himself and stood taller, only to find himself helpless to hide the sincerity apparent in each line he read, his truth underscored by the tears that dropped unbidden on his face and every tremble that passed through his body.

It took him ten minutes to read her that letter. For ten minutes we were held captive in the intimacy of his true unguarded thoughts. Ten minutes, motionless, struck by the beauty of the sun's glow upon their faces and the tears that slipped glistening, too, from the heart of his bride's transfixed expression. Ten minutes we were all suspended in a heaven of love.

Elopement experience in 2002

Starting a New Life

Little did we know years ago (1996) when we came to restore this Victorian church into a home. We didn't know a stranger would suggest we turn it into a wedding chapel, and say people would want to come here to be married. That an 80 year old member of the past church would love us like family (Aunt Martha turned 90 in April of 2005). Or that those who married here would give us the inspiration for the hard tasks ahead and they would be the reason for our doing them. Or that our friends would largely be dreamers, too. But all these things are so, and it has changed our lives forever.

It's a good thing to pray for a spouse - I'd been single 14 years and lonely. I didn't know I'd need a carpenter, or that when the minister who married us prayed we'd find a church home, it would be this one. Where other area ministers are happy to come to start you on the road of your new life.

It's good to start a life with a prayer. It could make you watch where the road is leading you, too.

Mary Ellen Oberender

Our Kind appreciation to:
Raymond N. Dunlap, Minister
Highland Park Christian Church
Des Moines, Iowa


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STORIES & TESTIMONIALS On Your Wedding Day Anxious Groom Starting a New Life On Your Wedding Day On your wedding day, it's so nice to be greeted by the smell of coffee. You are handed a cup by a carpenter who smiles and leans against the counter in the kitchenette. Across the sanctuary you watch as your family arrives to get dressed and ready for the photography. You look forward to your best friend's arrival. After photos you'll have a few moments to visit before the walk down the aisle, when he will tease you about your ability to first ring the bell nine times in a way that sounds like you mean it and knew what you were doing - with no practice. The photographer sets up his cameras and lights while the candles are put plumb in the candelabras and pew bows artistically hung on the pews. The old crooners are singing in the background on a compilation CD, and a middle aged gal in bibbies holds a needle and thread, or florist wire and tape to fix the little things that break. She has scissors in her back pocket and corsage pins at the ready. It's nice to know that just the right minister will be along after while to lead you in your vows - perhaps written after feverish thought, something you are uncertain about revealing - but ultimately necessary for HER contentment. Your dimple shows for an instant at the thought. You go outside alone for a breath of fresh air, lose yourself to imaginings while you watch the water spring up in the fountain, unaware of the wind chimes that follow you through the yard past the gardens and up the arching ramp into the kitchenette again. And there they all are, waiting for you to take your place next to her, your arm around her waist. Smiles and pauses and laughter - and on to the windows, out along the garden path, the ornate benches, in front of the little church and every other interesting nook and cranny possible - before you meet in the bell tower to have that visit with your very best friend. The one who came from across the country, or from a far corner in the world. It's time to ring that bell for all you're worth - so she can hear it across the chapel in the bride's room, where she waits breathless. And you wouldn't want it any other way. If you have longed to speak your vows in an old fashioned church that sits among the gardens, where the sun's light filters through stained glass windows, music echoes sweetly, and the candles' glow beckons you to speak of unending love, come to Candle Lit Way. We'd love to cry at your wedding. Dan & Mary Ellen Oberender Resident Caretakers - Incurable Romantics Anxious Groom An anxious groom took his turn as he and his bride stood before the minister, and read from a letter he'd written to express the changes in his life since he'd met her. Simple words, jumbled and pretty, in a language spoken before only in his own mind. His hushed voice cracked, and he faltered. Words he'd written with care and knew by heart were mere whispers, yet had caught him unprepared. He collected himself and stood taller, only to find himself helpless to hide the sincerity apparent in each line he read, his truth underscored by the tears that dropped unbidden on his face and every tremble that passed through his body. It took him ten minutes to read her that letter. For ten minutes we were held captive in the intimacy of his true unguarded thoughts. Ten minutes, motionless, struck by the beauty of the sun's glow upon their faces and the tears that slipped glistening, too, from the heart of his bride's transfixed expression. Ten minutes we were all suspended in a heaven of love. Elopement experience in 2002 Starting a New Life Little did we know years ago (1996) when we came to restore this Victorian church into a home. We didn't know a stranger would suggest we turn it into a wedding chapel, and say people would want to come here to be married. That an 80 year old member of the past church would love us like family (Aunt Martha turned 90 in April of 2005). Or that those who married here would give us the inspiration for the hard tasks ahead and they would be the reason for our doing them. Or that our friends would largely be dreamers, too. But all these things are so, and it has changed our lives forever. It's a good thing to pray for a spouse - I'd been single 14 years and lonely. I didn't know I'd need a carpenter, or that when the minister who married us prayed we'd find a church home, it would be this one. Where other area ministers are happy to come to start you on the road of your new life. It's good to start a life with a prayer. It could make you watch where the road is leading you, too. Mary Ellen Oberender Our Kind appreciation to: Raymond N. Dunlap, Minister Highland Park Christian Church Des Moines, Iowa Phone: 515-992-3300 (Please call before 8:00 PM) Cell: 515-490-0783 days E-mail: info@candlelitwayweddingchapel.com \| ButterfliZ of Iowa We look forward to being of service to you. Associated Links: More associated links coming soon! Please contact us if you would like to be listed on our site.

STORIES & TESTIMONIALS