Inside Angel Wolf and Gregory Morrison's Beautiful Pittsburgh Wedding
Angel Wolf and Gregory Morrison pose for a photo with their Wedding Party after the Mass at Saint Paul Cathedral in front of the Mellon Institute on the Campus of Carnegie Mellon University in Downtown Pittsburgh. of Science. (Carina Danielle/Carina Danielle Photography).
Angel Wolf and Greg Morrison officially tied the knot in a beautiful and extravagant wedding in Pittsburgh.
Article by Maddie Tyler, AKSM News
PITTSBURGH - As soon as we heard that Angel Wolf was engaged, we knew that this wedding would be special. The couple - who were married over the July 4th holiday weekend - had a journey of ups and downs before saying “I Do” during the July ceremony where the theme of the festivities was “All You Need Is Love”. The issues started with the wedding location. Villanova University President, Rev. Peter M. Donohue, OSA, PhD stated that, “It went from Pittsburgh, to Villanova, to the Vatican, and back to Pittsburgh.” All of these issues stemmed from the Coronavirus pandemic which resulted in state-wide shutdowns and the closures of businesses across the country.
After they had to withdraw their fairy-tale wedding plans at the Vatican, the couple decided to come home to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After a second change of venue - this time for the reception - from the Carnegie Music Hall Foyer to Longue Vue Club, the ceremony finally took place on Thursday, July 3rd, 2020 at 2 PM in Saint Paul Cathedral in downtown Pittsburgh; and no detail was left untouched. With Coronavirus in mind, extra precautions were taken during the hour and a half Mass. The 250 guests were seated - socially distant - with two pews between each open row and asks were required throughout the ceremony.
The ceremony began with preludes and the seating of the mother and father of the Groom. Then Julie Wolf - the Mother of the Bride - processed into the cathedral escorted by her youngest son, 12-year-old Groomsman, Alex Wolf. Mrs. Wolf looked stunning in her grey gown and flower crown that adorned her head. Alex Wolf then went back to a holding room in one of the cathedral’s apse chapels and escorted the main celebrant, Rev. Peter Donohue, OSA, Best Man Cole Connelly and the Groom to the foot of the altar. Next was the procession of the Wedding Party which was made up of two flower girls, a baby ring-bearer, ten groomsmen (six of whom were Angel’s brothers), eight bridesmaids, and two maids of honor. First, the groomsmen processed in single file and bowed simultaneously with Fr. Donohue at the altar before taking their seats.
The processional of the Bride began as the bridesmaids walked down the aisle as Vivaldi’s Winter suite was performed by violinist Christopher Ostertag. The bridesmaids wore two different toned dresses - rose and tan - accompanied by floral bouquets and crowns designed by Lauren Work of Pittsburgh’s The Farmer’s Daughter Flowers. There was a certain royal feel that fell upon the cathedral as the bridesmaids processed in. Following the bridesmaids were flower girls - sisters Carrera and Paislee Aponte - followed by ring-bearer Arthur Medina White. Maids of Honor Jamie Dick and Katie Tarasovich then processed in to make way for the presentation of the bride.
As the cathedral bells rang outside, Pachelbel's Canon in D began to play as Angel Wolf and her father, Ronald Wolf, appeared at the doors of the narthex into the nave of the cathedral. At that moment, as the congregation stood, a hum of awe took over the room as she began to slowly process down to the altar to her future husband who wore a dark grey suit. The beautiful fully-laced A-line dress accompanied by a four foot cathedral-style train with her hair down and curled under her Spanish-styled lace veil which made for a stylish royal and traditional look. Angel would later swap out the veil for a simple boho flower crown during the stunning reception in Verona.
Fr. Donohue, opened the Mass with a greeting and opening prayer. During the greeting, Fr. Donohue would fumble and state Angel’s legal name as “Angela” and not Angelica. This wouldn’t happen just once but a second time towards the end of the Mass. Fr. Donohue opened by asking for the forgiveness of the times that those in attendance had failed to live their own individual commitments as they came to celebrate the commitment of Angel and Greg. Lector Dr. Kirby Keller then delivered the first reading from the Old Testament which was Song of Songs 2:10-2:16. Cantor Michael Tarasovich led the congregation in the responsorial psalm, This is the day the Lord has made. Dr. Keller returned to give the second reading from the New Testament, Ephesians 5:2, 5:21-5:33. The Celtic Alleluia was song by Tarasovich as Fr. Donohue made his way to the marble pulpit to deliver a unusually long gospel from John 6:35-6:69 which was chosen by the couple.
To deliver his homily, Fr. Donohue left the pulpit to stand at the foot of the altar next to the couple. He started off by calling the wedding a “movable feast”. Which is a religious custom in the Christian liturgical calendar that occurs on a different date each year; whereas other feasts - or fixed feasts - are held on the same date every year. Fr. Donohue used Christmas as an example. He used this comparison to point out the fact that in order to get to that day’s celebration, the planing of the wedding had to go through many different hoops and date changes. Fr. Donohue mentioned to the audience, “When you finally got that save the date, you were probably wondering what date you were saving!” He then turned to the couple and said, “Congratulations, it’s finally here!” He mentioned his surprise and interest at the choice of the couple’s choice of the long gospel reading from John as it isn’t usually in the cannon of readings for a wedding.
Fr. Donohue told a story about an older man who is given the choice of going to either heaven or hell and being able to see both prior to his choice. As he enters hell he “walks into [a room] filled with people. [The banquet table] goes on for miles […] and is filled with [people] and food and drink. It is the most splendid place. […] All those people sitting at the table [are sitting in total silence]. […] The only way they have to eat is by these six foot utensils […] so they just sit there frustrated.” Then the man is shown heaven. The same room appears, same table, same utensils. Fr. Donohue continued, “But there is a difference in this room. There is celebration. […] But they’ve learned how to use [the utensils] to feed each other.” Fr. Donohue said that the point of the story was to showcase how marriage is a celebration of the gifts of being able to feed each other with the fruits of marriage through finding and nourishing each other.
Fr. Peter went on to say that, “Marriage is an opportunity to witness that Angel and Greg are both in love with each other. We know they are in love with each other. You can’t be with them very long without knowing that. Greg will tell you constantly. And Angel just smiles and says, “he’ll stop soon”.” He continued by saying, “Those who are married know how difficult it is. I think it’s one of the hardest relationships. […] because it demands attention. […] That this person who you are committed to, walks with you in every moment of your life, whether by your side or apart. […] To continue to nourish along this journey. And as soon as you stop doing that, things fall apart.”
Fr. Donohue then turned to the couple and bent down to address them and their choice to leave the United States to peruse their masters degrees in Mexico. “In a place where [they] know nobody. Or what they do.” He told them that they need to depend and nourish each other in their daily lives. To feed each other what they cherish about the other. Fr. Donohue mentioned how people believe marriage is a 50/50 proposition. He set the record straight by saying it isn’t, but rather 100% all the time, from them both. “You have to recognize that - Greg - when Angel is giving 45%, how you make up the other 55%. And [Angel has] to recognize when [Greg is] only giving 25%, you have to make up the other 75% because the woman is always giving more. […] You’re not going to change one another. He is who he is, who he is. She is who she is, who she is. […] but you don’t get married to change, you get married because […] you have been given the opportunity to reach across the table and to nourish each other and if you are willing to do that, then everything will follow.”
Following Fr. Donohue’s homily was the Rite of Marriage which included the Statement of Intentions, Consent and Exchange of Vows followed by Blessing and Exchange of Rings. Fr. Donohue then stated, “You may kiss your best friend” as the couple shared three kisses they turned around to a standing ovation of over a minute. After the Prayer of the Faithful came the intentions - led by one of Angel’s brothers - which asked for the congregation to pray for the couple, those affected by the pandemic, racial equality and the end of abortion.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist began with the Preparation of the Gifts while the congregation was brought to tears by singer Sophia Rueda’s rendition of Perfume A Tus Pies. The gifts were presented to Angel and Greg who turned around and handed them to Fr. Donohue. With the couple kneeling on the altar, Fr. Donohue led the congregation in the Sanctus chant followed by the Memorial Acclamation and the Great Amen. Fr. Donohue took the couples hands and joined them together as the Lord’s Prayer was recited after which he bestowed a nuptial blessing upon them. A socially distance “words of peace” was offered to those gathered. The couple, followed by Fr. Donohue, gave hugs to the members of the wedding party and then their parents. Michael Tarasovich led those gathered in the Agnus Deli as Fr. Donohue prepared for the distribution of Holy Communion. In true Villanova fashion, and in the words of Saint Augustine, Fr. Donohue said, “My Sisters and Brothers, see what you believe in and become what you see.” After the couple distributed Holy Communion and the Blood of Christ to one another and to their parents, guests were released from their pews one at a time to create a single-file line at the center of the altar where Fr. Donohue distributed communion to them. Rueda joined Tarasovich for a duet of the song Lord I Offer My Life. After Fr. Donohue returned to the altar, the couple walked off-camera to the Shrine of the Blessed Mother for a private moment and special presentation as Tarasovich sang the Ave Maria.
The couple then returned to the altar for the concluding rites of the Mass which included some off-script blessings from Fr. Donohue. Fr. Donohue asked the couples parents to come to the altar and stand by their respective child. He asked the couple to release their hands, turn, and face their parents. Fr. Donohue then stated, “The two people that stand in front of you are two people whose love for each other created your life. In creating your life, they have made sure that that life has been well protected for many years. […] The two people in front of you have given you a gift that you have probably never really fully appreciated before and that you need to appreciate today. They gave you the gift of their marriage. They demonstrated to both of you what it means to be married. Ups and downs, good and bad, […] they have stayed together and they demonstrated to you what it means to be a husband and wife. […] Thank them for that.” The crowd erupted in applause as the couple hugged their teary eyed parents.
After making a pun on Angel’s brother William for going to Notre Dame University; Fr. Donohue went on to bestow a special blessing upon the couple that is given to Villanova University students during their orientation and during their Baccalaureate at the University. Due to the pandemic, Greg missed out on the tradition so Fr. Peter asked that the couple’s parents put their hands on the shoulders of their child and for the congregation to raise their hands as Fr. Peter put his hands on their heads and sang the following blessing to the couple:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
The rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Fr. Donohue ended the Mass with a joyous, “Thanks be to God” as the couple recessed down the aisle to three round of applause and whistling as Tarasovich sang O God Beyond All Praising. The wedding party walked slowly behind the couple. When the couple reached the nave of the Cathedral, they shared in a passionate kiss before entering the narthex.
After the service, the couple left the cathedral in a motorcade of limos as the bells tolled once more. As the wedding party went around Pittsburgh for a photo shoot, guests were invited to a pre-reception at the Hilton prior to the formal cocktail hour. Limos took guests from the Hilton to Longue Vue Club for the formal cocktail hour at 5 PM and dinner reception at 6:15 PM. The wedding reception was designed by renowned wedding planner, Tim Komen and his team from TK Event Studio.
The club was totally transformed for the wedding. Custom made bars with Angel and Greg’s name adorned on them were placed throughout the club. A tent was added for additional space on the patio and special lights and fabrics were draped throughout the space totally transforming it into an intimate and romantic venue. Special chairs were shipped in and tables were decorated with flowers and candles. At the bars were specialized monogrammed cocktail napkins and matchbooks for guests to take with them. As one guest mentioned, “Not an expense was spared for the celebration.”
At the start of the reception were the entrances of the wedding party followed by Angel and Greg’s first dance together which was set to Frankie Valli’s Can't Take My Eyes Off You. Angel then took the opportunity to share an emotional dance set to George Ezra’s Hold My Girl with her father and her six brothers. Angel then brought her mother up to for a dance to Fleetwood Mac’s Landslide. Greg then shared a dance with his mother, Kathy Morrison. A Congressional Certificate from the United States House of Representative was presented to the couple by Congressman Guy Reschenthaler.
After the dances were completed, everyone was seated as Ronald Wolf - Angel’s father - took to the stage to present the couple with a toast. In his speech he made sure to thank and note all those who made the day possible. In his unscripted, emotional and moving speech, the father of seven held back tears as he said, “I only have one daughter […]. For me to see her today, that absolute beautiful, feminine, and then I know how tough she is, it’s a very wonderful feeling.” The father of the bride went on to say, “A son is a son until he takes a wife; but a daughter is a daughter for her entire life. So Angel, be my daughter your entire life.”
Maid of Honor Jamie Dick took to the center of the room for a toast where she shared some of her fondest memories of her 12-year friendship with Wolf. One of Angel’s bridesmaids and roommate from Villanova - Esther Yoon - followed Miss Dick to share an inside joke, her memories of their college days and her best wishes for both Angel and Greg’s future together. Following Yoon was Greg’s Best Man, Cole Connelly, who fought back tears as he told the groom that, “[…] I never thought it would be this hard to give my best friend to someone else.” It then was time for Greg himself to take the mic. He started off with saying that, “Most people start crying at the end, but I’m already crying in the beginning […].” He thanked his family and his now in-laws. The benediction and blessing over the meal was then performed by Fr. Ben Mwangi who had baptized Angel as an infant. To read all of the speeches and toasts from the reception, click here.
The night would continue as guests were treated to an elaborate six-course station meal. After dinner, Angel and Greg cut their small and simple, two-tiered floral wedding cake and fed each other a piece. After they cut their own cake, a Fourth of July themed cake was presented to two of the guests who had birthdays the following day. Angel and Greg then shared another dance before Angel pulled close friend and actor Andrew McKeough and close friend Stephen MacMichael onto the dance floor for their own individual dances with the bride. A basket of tan Old Navy flip-flops were brought out for the ladies to change out of their heels and the dance floor then opened to everyone as they flooded in for the celebration.
As the evening wound down, late night food was served to now-hungry guests. The couple would leave the venue for as their guests lines the sides of the club’s driveway with sparklers in hand. The couple would depart the following day for a two-week honeymoon to Florida before returning to Pittsburgh one final time prior to their move to Mexico. A select number of guests would go onto a smaller and more intimate post-reception party hosted by friends of the couple.
As far as fashion went, the wedding brought out a slew of notable outfits from different celebrity designers such as Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, Stella McCartney, and Calvin Klein; to more boutique designers such as Tallia, Margot, Adrianna Papell, and many more. Guests spared no time in using this occasion as a day to dress their best while celebrating those they loved most. After their fairy tale wedding ended, the couple then set off on the Fourth of July for a fourteen day honeymoon in Florida. The couple then returned to the Pittsburgh area for a visit with family before leaving for one more stop in Philadelphia over the July 24th-26th weekend, which included visits with close friends including Andrew McKeough prior to leaving for their new home in Mexico. A spokesperson for the couple said that precautions taken for the Coronavirus helped keep guests safe and healthy before, during and after the celebrations. The couple was pleased to announce that no guest neither contracted nor transmitted the virus over the weekend of the wedding.
In the end, the day was a celebration of not just Angel and Greg, but the overall meaning of love and marriage. As Fr. Donohue said in his homily to the couple that, “[they] have been given the opportunity to reach across the table and to nourish each other […]” and that’s exactly what would happen by the end of the evening.