Couple Unites After Decades of Life and Kids
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Couple Unites After Decades of Life and Kids

After wedding in ‘Aunt Brenda’s’ backyard, the newlyweds left in her private jet for honeymoon. COVID prompted changes, but result was ‘a piece of cake’ – special candy cake.

By Marcia Caller Jaffe November 20, 2020, 4:52 pm Edit

After 37 years with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and now with the AJT, , Jaffe’s focus is lifestyle, art, dining, fashion, and community events with emphasis on Jewish movers and shakers.

  • Jack Parada Photography // The bride and groom entered the chuppah to “A Thousand Years” performed by live musicians.
    Jack Parada Photography // The bride and groom entered the chuppah to “A Thousand Years” performed by live musicians.
  • Chip Umstead broke two glasses as Rabbi Brad Levenberg cheered him on.
    Chip Umstead broke two glasses as Rabbi Brad Levenberg cheered him on.
  • The family gathered under the chuppah at dusk.
    The family gathered under the chuppah at dusk.
  • Brenda and Mark Lichtenstein toast the newlyweds.
    Brenda and Mark Lichtenstein toast the newlyweds.
  • The pool setting in the Lichtensteins’ backyard.
    The pool setting in the Lichtensteins’ backyard.
  • Since Marcy Maya loves candy, Added Touch’s pastry chef created this cake, which had bounds of candy and gummies inside.
    Since Marcy Maya loves candy, Added Touch’s pastry chef created this cake, which had bounds of candy and gummies inside.
  • Guests got a COVID kit alongside custom heart cookies by Galu Sweet
    Guests got a COVID kit alongside custom heart cookies by Galu Sweet

Marcy Green Maya and Chip Umstead re-met at their Briarcliff High School reunion, the second time around. Only problem was that Maya was already dating someone and didn’t respond enthusiastically to Umstead’s overtures until they ran into each other at Costco. Five years later they tied the knot.

Maya teaches preschool at Congregation Beth Shalom. Umstead is in commercial real estate and finance. Between them, they have seven children.

The family gathered under the chuppah at dusk.

They got engaged in December 2019. Pre-COVID they went back and forth on the format of the wedding. Umstead wanted to elope to Hawaii. Maya recalled, “Plan A was May with 60 guests at Aunt Brenda and Uncle Mark Lichtenstein’s Sandy Springs home. Plan B venue was the same, but with 40 guests in September with Rabbi Brad Levenberg officiating.” Brenda is the sister of Maya’s mother Emily Green.

Maya went for an upscale Mexican decor with hot pink and orange tablecloths. She encouraged guests to wear floral prints. Umstead wore a dark blue suit, and Maya’s dress was lace Marc Jacobs.

Maya described the wedding. “We were really lucky with the weather, but had a back up tent reserved just in case. Added Touch Catering put together many elements, Jack Parada Photography, Chris Macksey of Topher Mack Floral & Events. One of my favorite touches was the custom cookies by Galu Sweet Deco … As a measure of good luck, Chip stepped on two glasses!”

The pool setting in the Lichtensteins’ backyard.

Erin Lis, director of sales and marketing for Added Touch Catering, said, “This Latin-inspired late-summer backyard wedding was all about having fun and being in love. Guests were greeted with live music, sugar and cinnamon-rimmed tequila shots, frozen margaritas, mini blackened fish tacos, and mushroom quesadillas. We timed the evening so Marcy and Chip would be walking down the aisle at dusk and married by sunset when the twinkling lights and candles surrounding the pool would be sparkling. Immediately after the couple said “I do,” guests feasted on grilled cilantro lime shrimp, tenderloin steak churrasco with chimichurri sauce, black beans, rice, Mexican street corn, our signature cabbage slaw, citrus green salad, and all trimmings: tortillas, salsa, queso, and guacamole.”

Since Marcy Maya loves candy, Added Touch’s pastry chef created this cake, which had bounds of candy and gummies inside.

Maya is known for her candy obsession, so rather than a traditional wedding cake, she was surprised with a colorful gummy “surprise!” cake made in-house by an Added Touch pastry chef. Added Touch owner Sandra Bank commented, “Like the damask linens and beautiful florals, the cake was accented with hot pink and bright orange icing. When it was cut, tons of rainbow candies and sprinkles spilled out, perfectly complementing the tone of this playful and romantic affair.”

Many brides have a wonderful coterie of food and flowers, but not many have a pilot/aunt with a private jet to escort them on the honeymoon. Brenda Lichtenstein has been flying for more than 25 years. Escorting honeymooners and flying friends for island jaunts is glamorous, but Brenda has turned this hobby into meaningful mitzvahs. She is now into her fifth plane: a Citation Excel, requiring two pilots at all times. Brenda recounts, “Friends and family have been flying with me to fun places for years! I’ve also been flying missions for Angel Flight, whose goal is to remove the obstacle of transportation for folks needing medical attention. Most have suffered enough without worrying about paying for transportation to the best doctors. The other organization is Veterans Airlift Command. These are wounded warriors mostly from Afghan/Iraq wars, … the injuries, amputations, PTSD, are unimaginable. I also flew several medical missions into Haiti post-earthquake and flew supplies to Texas after floods. For me, listening to speakers is not as fulfilling as the ‘hands on’ giving … Marcy wanted to go away to someplace warm for a few days. I said, ‘We’ll fly y’all down, and go someplace else.’ They insisted that we go along. It didn’t take much encouragement. Post-wedding, we were off to Palm Beach and the beautiful Breakers. I’ve always been very close to Marcy. Our love is mutual. It was just natural for us to host their wedding. I love her like a precious little sister.”

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