Lauren Smith Dickey and Brian Carl Girasoli were united in marriage at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 19, 2016, in a Catholic Mass at Christ the King Church, Old Lyme, celebrated by Father Joe Ashe. A 6 p.m. reception followed at Lake of Isles in Stonington, followed by an after-party in the Atrium Lounge in Foxwoods.

The bride is daughter of Michael and Michele Dickey of Old Lyme. The groom is son of Carl Girasoli of Franklin and Irene DeCesare of Norwich.

Given in marriage by her father, the bride wore a family gown worn by both her maternal grandmother, Paula Machnik Smith, in 1946 and her mother in 1979. Lauren had it altered by Catherine Shafer of Tailored to You in Mystic to make it her own. The gown was ivory taffeta with a V-neck fitted bodice, Basque waist, and an A- line skirt with chapel-length train. She had the original leg-o-mutton sleeves removed to create a sleeveless gown.

Chantilly lace from her mother-in-law’s wedding gown was added to the train and hem, and Alonson lace with pearls were added to the front of the bodice and hem.

Chelsea Finn was maid-of-honor. The bridesmaids and bridesmen were Lindsay Barr, Caitie Smith, Robert Mathis and Julian Whitney. Anthony Girasoli was best man for his brother. Guests were ushered by Michael Girasoli, cousin of the groom, and Travis Board.

Groomswomen were Susan Board and Melanie Wilson Mendoza.

Bridesmaids and groomswomen wore single-shoulder red tea-length gowns. They carried bouquets of sunflowers and red gerber daisies created by Barbara Rayel of Old Lyme, the bride’s kindergarten teacher. The altar was also decorated with sunflowers, arranged by Sue Ellen Perry, to reflect the name “Girasoli”—Italian for “sunflower.” Men wore boutonnieres of paper flowers created by the bride to reflect their theme – books, which were also used in reception centerpieces.

Elizabeth Parsons was the vocalist. Bill Thomas provided organ accompaniment.

The guests included both family and friends as close as family from New England and a strong contingent of alumni from both Haverford College and the University of Connecticut. Reception music was provided by the Shiny Lapel Trio.

The couple honeymooned on Cape Cod. They live in Old Lyme and are remodeling the house originally built by Lauren’s maternal grandparents, Harold and Paula Smith.

The bride is a graduate of Lyme-Old Lyme High School. She received a bachelor’s degree in English from Haverford College and an master’s degree in education from the University of New Haven. She is an English teacher at Norwich Free Academy. Brian received a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in journalism from Quinnipiac University. He teaches English at Lyman Memorial High School in Lebanon.