Casey Rodgers & Ross Fleming
The countdown to Catherine Hunter “Casey” Rodgers and Ross Richard Fleming’s idyllic wedding weekend began when they arrived at La Samanna Resort in St. Martin, the French West Indies, four days prior to their nuptials. Amidst busy wedding preparations, the couple met with Father Franz, a retired German priest who agreed to substitute when the local priest was called away for a family emergency. It was Father Franz who officiated the 4 o’clock ceremony on June 8, 2013, at the 200-year-old Eglise Catholique Saint-Martin de Tours in Marigot, the French capital.
Arriving guests immersed themselves in Caribbean culture, and two days before the wedding enjoyed exotic cocktails and hors d’oeuvres and dancing at a welcome party hosted by the bride’s parents at La Samanna’s Beach Bar. On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s family transported 114 guests from 17 states and two countries to a rehearsal dinner. There, in the small fishing village of Grand Case, they were served authentic French cuisine at Le Ti Provencal with cocktails on the beach and dinner in the airy restaurant overlooking a spectacular view of the Caribbean sunset.
The Saturday-afternoon wedding ceremony was highlighted by the angelic voices of a women’s choir, and it ended with a surprise “gift” to Casey and Ross from Father Franz, who played an “Ave Maria” solo on his saxophone. When the drawbridge re-opened following the wedding, guests returned to La Samanna for a cocktail reception to the sounds of steel drums before descending from the terrace overlooking the white beach to the formal pool, where individually tented tables surrounded the pool and a five-course candle-lit dinner was served. Dancing began after cutting the rose-covered French cake, and the night sky was lit by a surprise fireworks display, a gift from the bride’s parents. The evening ended with family and friends enjoying a beach bonfire marshmallow roast.
The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hunter Rodgers of Dallas. She is the granddaughter of the late AnnaRuth Smith and the late Charles Alan Smith, formerly of Chappaqua, N.Y.; the late Dorothy Rodgers Carpenter and the late Leon Carpenter; and the late James O’Donnell Rodgers, formerly of Austin.
The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Donald Fleming of Naperville, Ill. He is the grandson of the late Christine Krotzer and the late Robert Keith Krotzer, formerly of Sterling Heights, Mich.; and June Maxine Fleming of Lombard, Ill., and the late Harry Donald Fleming, formerly of Alexandria, Ind.
The bride was given in marriage by her parents. She was escorted down the aisle on the arm of her father. Casey chose an elegant gown, designed by Anne Barge for Neiman Marcus, which she paired with her mother’s lace veil. The fitted gown of French Alencon lace and silk organza featured a sweetheart neckline. Its lace sash, with a handmade organza flower, accentuated the bride’s tiny waist, while her skirt fell to her slippers. Lace-covered buttons lined the back, sweeping gracefully to her chapel-length train. Her three twisted diamond-drop earrings, borrowed from her mother, and her gold-and-diamond bracelet, a gift from the groom, completed her outfit.
Assisting the bride as maid of honor was her sister, Anne Elizabeth Rodgers of New York. Bridesmaids included Mary Lauren Alday of Chicago, Katherine Tart Kibler of Charleston, S.C., and Christy Diane Welder of New York. Sydney Frances Viehman of New York was a house-party member.
Attending the groom as best man was Jason Brian McKibben of San Francisco. Groomsmen included Mark Campbell Adams of Naperville, Ill., Paul Christopher Gierstorf of Itasca, Ill., and Duke Michael Punhong of New York. Christopher Stuart Davis of Rye, N.Y., and Eric Jonathan Seeve of Key Biscayne, Fla., served as ushers. Scripture readers included Stephen L. Johnson of New York, the bride’s cousin James Britton Rodgers of Austin, and Sydney Frances Viehman of New York.
The bride is a graduate of The Hockaday School. She received a Bachelor of Arts with a major in English and minor in studio art from Tulane University in New Orleans, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. She is a past member of the Junior League of New York City. Casey is director of public relations and special events for Bergdorf Goodman in New York.
The groom is a graduate of Naperville Central High School. He received a Bachelor of Science in finance with high honors from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ross is vice president of acquisitions and development at RFR Holding in New York.
Following their wedding trip to the Four Seasons Resort, Bora Bora, in French Polynesia, the newlyweds have returned to their new residence in Manhattan.
