The marriage of Miss Lauren Shepherd Michaux of Mechanicsville, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Michaux II of Mechanicsville, to Mr. Joseph Alexander Kirchgassner IV of Raleigh, North Carolina, son of Mr. and Mrs. C. Michael Welch of Weston, Florida and the late Joseph Alexander Kirchgassner III formerly of Raleigh, NC. took place on October 10, 2009 at the Historic Mankin Mansion in Richmond. The Rev. William Burk of the Episcopal Church of the Creator officiated at the ceremony.

The bride was escorted by her father and given in marriage by her parents. Lauren wore a Jim Hjelm couture gown of silk organza and lace.

Lauren is the granddaughter of Col. (Ret.) and Mrs. Carlton L. Schelhorn of Alexandria and Mr. and Mrs. Joseph E. Michaux of Quinton. Joe is the grandson of Ms. Bronnie Hall and the late Mr. Carl Hall of Salisbury, NC., Ms. Shirley Kirchgassner and the late Mr. J. A. Kirchgassner, Jr. of Easton, Penn., and Ms. Evelyn Welch and the late Mr. Harry Welch of Charlotte, NC. 

Leslie McRay Michaux of Richmond, sister of the bride served as Maid of Honor. Bridesmaids were Tracey Lee D’Antuono and Hayley Louise D’Antuono both of Alexandria, cousins of the bride, Carly Michael Welch of Weston, Florida, sister of the groom, Hannah Shreve Rohle and Heather Leigh Jones both of Mechanicsville, friends of the bride.

Christopher Perry Kontalonis of Charlottesville, fraternity brother of the groom, served as the best man. The groomsmen were Seth Haynes Murdoch and Brent Robert Calabria of Raleigh, North Carolina, fraternity brothers of the groom, Eric Lloyd Iverson of New York, New York, childhood friend of the groom and Charles Michael Welch of Weston, Florida, step-father of the groom.

Celeste Hurtig, college roommate of the bride, served as a greeter, reader and Acolyte. LuAnne Welch, mother of the groom, was also a reader. Lynn Michaux, mother of the bride, and Bernice Wilson, aunt of the groom, were chalice bearers.

The North Carolina State University tailgate-themed rehearsal dinner, hosted by the groom’s parents, was held at the Historic Mankin Mansion Friday night.

After the half past three wedding on Saturday, guests enjoyed an outdoor cocktail hour followed by dinner at the Mansion. Raleigh North Carolina-based band “The Remedy” played throughout the reception, which was hosted by the bride’s parents.

Lauren is a 2005 graduate of Atlee High School and a 2009 graduate of North Carolina State University. Lauren currently works for Hilton Garden Inn. Joe is a 2001 graduate of Charlotte Country Day School in Charlotte, North Carolina and a 2006 graduate of North Carolina State University. Joe works as an Area Development Manager for the Kappa Sigma Fraternity Endowment Fund.

Lauren and Joe currently reside in Charlottesville. They plan to spend the days following their wedding in New York, New York and later enjoy an extended honeymoon in Europe over New Years.