Love Stronger Than a Storm

By Cindy O. Herman

Morgan and Wyatt Knepp’s October wedding could have been defined by the cold, pounding rain of Hurricane Ian. Fortunately, the couple’s love and the love of their families proved strong enough to reduce the storm’s effects to a simple inconvenience.

Morgan, a physician assistant for Beacon Light Behavioral Health System, in McClure, and Wyatt, a biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, had known each other for years but started dating after meeting more officially through mutual friends one night at the Country Tavern, in Middleburg.

They became engaged while visiting Morgan’s brother and sister-in-law in Myrtle Beach, where a small crowd gathered and cheered them on. About six months later, they were ready for their wedding at the home of Morgan’s mother and step-father, Annette and Lynn Kuhns, in McClure.

“We had to last-minute change a lot of things because we were blessed with Hurricane Ian that day, and we were planning on everything being outside in front of the pond,” Morgan said. “So we had pouring-down rain and 55-degree weather.”

“It was a hundred percent chance of rain all day, and we knew it was going to be cold,” Wyatt said. “We got stand-up heaters for the tent. It worked out.”

Morgan’s mother attached sides to the tent, which became the site of the wedding ceremony, performed by Wyatt’s uncle, Kraig Kahley. Noting that tradition declares rain on a wedding day lucky, Morgan quipped, “A hurricane must be the best of luck.”

The worst problem Hurricane Ian caused was that Morgan’s aunt and Nana were stranded in Florida.

“We took a picture with the two of us and we had them on FaceTime, so we could get a photo,” Morgan said. “Other than that, I think it went pretty well.”

The couple had written their own vows, and during a break in the rain right before the ceremony, they sat in front of a wildflower patch Morgan’s mother had planted and pledged their love privately.

“I loved that,” Morgan said. “Nobody else got to hear them. And it was funny because a lot of the things we wrote were very similar. I thought that was neat. And honestly, looking back, I’m glad we did that because it took away a lot of nerves. I felt much more relaxed then going into the ceremony.”

It also secluded them during the most intimate part of the ceremony.

“I was a little emotional,” Morgan said. “I don’t know that I would have been able to read them in front of everybody.”

“I was fine when I read mine,” Wyatt said. “When she read hers, then I cried.”

Right as the vows ended, it started to rain again.

Wyatt entered the ceremony proudly accompanied by his Labradoodle, Hutson.

“He walked with me down the aisle then he sat there for the ceremony,” Wyatt said, adding that one of the groomsmen kept some dog treats handy.

The eight bridesmaids wore dresses in shades of mauve, tan, burgundy and rust, from Birdy Grey, and the eight groomsmen wore dark khakis, white shirts, suspenders and ties color-matched to their partner’s bridesmaid gown. Wyatt wore a blue jacket and burgundy tie.

Morgan’s wedding gown was actually a jumpsuit –she loves them – which she bought at David’s Bridal, in Harrisburg. She had a detachable skirt designed by Lyuda Vulfert Fashion Design Studio, of Bloomsburg.

“So it looked like I was wearing a dress,” she said, “but then after the ceremony I unhooked that and had the pantsuit on.”

The reception started with Morgan and Wyatt’s first dance, “Another,” by Adam Doleac. That was followed by dances with parents, photos, speeches, food and lots of dancing to the music of local rock band Route 15.

“They’re incredible. They were awesome,” Morgan said.

“Wyatt’s one request was all live music.”

“And everyone loved it,” Wyatt said. “Everyone was out and dancing and had a ball.”

In fact, the couple agreed the only change they wish they could have made was the weather – it would have been nice to have the ceremony outside in front of that pond.

“You can’t control the weather, but other than that I don’t think I’d really change anything,” Morgan said. “I’d do it a million times over.”

“We had to last-minute change a lot of things because we were blessed with Hurricane Ian that day, and we were planning on everything being outside in front of the pond,” Morgan said. “So we had pouring-down rain and 55-degree weather.”

Fast Facts on the Knepp Wedding

- Married on October 1, 2022

- Both graduated from Midd-West Area High School, Wyatt in 2006 and Morgan in 2014

- Morgan’s mother and stepfather: Annette and Lynn Kuhns. Her father: Russell Goodling

- Wyatt’s parents: Steve and Krystal Knepp

- Wedding Photos: Jamie Lee Photography (Mifflintown)

- Caterer: Airy Dale Market (Beaver Springs)

- Soloist: Samantha Stancavage (Shamokin)

“She actually just graduated high school,” Morgan said. “She’s incredible.”

- Music: Route 15 band

- Flowers: Hilly Springs Flower Farm (Beaver Springs)

“She did an incredible job,” Morgan said. “I showed her a Pinterest picture of a bouquet, and I know a lot of times you don’t get exactly that. My bouquet looked so much better than the Pinterest one. She did an amazing job.”

- Cake: Shine Coffee Company (Liverpool)

Morgan and Wyatt actually had a layered, chocolate chip cookie cake “because I am not a huge cake person to begin with,” Morgan said with a laugh, “but I can eat cookies whenever.”

- Honeymoon: Jamaica (a few months after the wedding)

Wedding Advice from The Knepps

“Hire a planner,” Morgan said. “It would have been nice at least the day of, having someone just to make sure everything was running smoothly.”

And they always recommend a live band.