FALL/WINTER 2017
HistoricMake it
West Virginia’s
ULTIMATE WEDDING GUIDE Real weddings to inspire you!
$10 Don’t miss an issue of
for ONE YEAR
1 year (2 issues) $10 | 2 years (4 issues) $18 visit mywvwedding.com/subscribe or call 304.413.0104 to subscribe
Subscription bundles available! Add a subscription to WV Living 1 year $25 | 2 years $45 These bundles include 6 issues (4 WV Living + 2 WV Weddings) or 12 issues (8 WV Living + 4 WV Weddings)
mywvwedding.com/subscribe
FALL /WINTER 2017
volume 9, issue 2 published by New South Media, Inc. 709 Beechurst Ave., 14A, Morgantown, WV 26505 304.413.0104, mywvwedding.com
editor Nikki Bowman, nikki@newsouthmediainc.com art director Carla Witt Ford, carla@newsouthmediainc.com associate editors Zack Harold, zack@newsouthmediainc.com Pam Kasey, pam@newsouthmediainc.com operations manager Allison Daugherty, allison@newsouthmediainc.com web and social media manager Julian Wyant, social@newsouthmediainc.com interns Demi Fuentes Ramirez, Kristen Uppercue advertising and marketing director Heather Mills, heather@newsouthmediainc.com advertising Heather Mills, Jeremiah Raines, Bryson Taylor back issues Back issues may be purchased at mywvwedding.com or by calling 304.413.0104. editorial inquiries Please send queries to wvweddings@newsouthmediainc.com.
WV Weddings is published by New South Media, Inc. subscription rate: $10 for 1 year, $18 for two years. Subscribe online at mywvwedding.com or call 304.413.0104.
frequency: Biannual Š New South Media, Inc. Reproduction in part or whole is strictly prohibited without the express written permission of the publisher.
2 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
EDITOR‘S LETTER
having worked as an editor of wedding magazines for twelve years, I’ve gotten pretty good at spotting trends. It is always interesting to watch their ebb and flow. Some things come and go quickly. Remember the antique brooch bouquets? Or paper flowers? Or “trash the dress” photo sessions? Some new ideas hit with a fury, begin to wane, reinvent themselves, and then become traditions. The lighting of unity candles started out as a unique way to demonstrate the bonding of families. Now, it has become a tradition. I remember when the first couples started serving cupcakes instead of wedding cake. Or pies. Now, both are common reception fare. One change I’m seeing is the trend towards smaller and more intimate weddings—and many more elopements. That doesn’t mean the large, more formal church weddings are a thing of the past. They most definitely are here to stay. But the small ceremonies we are seeing aren’t necessarily the second marriage or going-to-the-courthouse kind. They are deeply personal—and beautiful. Take our cover couple we feature on page 38, for example. Adair and Nolan were married at a historic home in Charleston with only their immediate family in attendance. Or Casey Prince and Caleb Johnson (page 106). This couple hiked three miles to a bridge in the middle of the woods to say their vows. Doesn’t get any more unique or deliberate than that. There are a couple of trends I wish would die a quick death. For starters, koozies as favors. Stop with the koozies. No one uses them. You are wasting your money. Although, I admit I laughed out loud when I saw the favors for Brad and Megan Burns’ Halloween-themed wedding. They were koozies that said “Til death do us part.” And Adair and Nolan Sankoff gave bottle koozies that said "The hunt is over." So if you are going to have koozies, take a page from them—make them funny, please. And then there are trends that are uniquely West Virginian. You know what I’m talking about—the singing of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” as a couple leaves the reception. It doesn’t matter where life takes us, once a West Virginian by birth or choice, when this song plays we all stand a little taller. In my mind, the singing of “Take Me Home, Country Roads” at weddings has reached the same level of expectation as singing the national anthem before a baseball game. And it doesn’t matter where the wedding takes place—the beach, the French Riviera, or Timbuktu— sending off a couple with John Denver’s hit is the perfect way to say, “I’m proud of my heritage.” And that is a trend I can get behind. So, country roads, take me home to the place where I belong,
nikki bowman, Editor Follow us on
and
.
facebook.com/wvweddings pinterest.com/wvweddings
Let us hear from you. We want to know what you think about the magazine, and we’d love to hear your suggestions. Email: info@newsouthmediainc.com Call: 304.413.0104 Mail: 709 Beechurst Avenue, Suite 14A, Morgantown, WV 26505 4 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
6 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
CONTENTS
30 38
46
22 A COLORFUL DELIGHT Two West Virginia natives share an adventurous summer wedding with family and friends.
30 DAY OF THE WED
A couple marks their marriage with a Halloween- themed monster mash. 38 SHORT AND SWEET
How one laid-back couple planned a simple, elegant wedding in less than six months.
46 A WARM WINTER WEDDING These Wheeling residents chose a historic home for their classic yet modern winter wedding.
FALL/WINTER 2017
HistoricMake it
22
West Virginia’s
ULTIMATE WEDDING GUIDE
cover photo Adair Burgess & Nolan Sankoff were married at the historic CraikPatton House in Charleston. Photo by The Oberports
Real Weddings to inspire you!
mywvwedding.com | 7
CONTENTS 11 WEDDING WOWS Our top cover contenders and details, ideas, and photos that inspired us.
121
59 WEDDING REGISTER
Couples tell their love stories in the pages of our wedding register. 121 ENGAGEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS
These couples are preparing for their “I do’s.” 128 COUPLES REGISTER INDEX An alphabetized listing of our wedding couples.
11
59
128 8 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
CONTRIBUTORS
AMBERLEE CHRISTEY
LAUREN LOVE
THE OBERPORTS
JAMES CARL PHOTOGRAPHY
Pendleton County native Amberlee Christey has been a wedding photographer since 2007. From dresses to first dances, she loves everything related to weddings. Being able to witness and capture the love of two people is possibly the best job ever. amberleechristeyphotography.com
Lauren Love of Lauren Love Photography considers herself a creator, a keeper of memories, an interpreter of light, and an artist who documents her clients’ lives with a careful, aesthetic vision. She loves the details of life and being able to tell a story through still imagery. Everyone is unique in their style, personality, and story, and she strives to produce images that reflect that individuality. laurenlovephotography.com
The Oberports—Emily Porter and Bobby Oberlander—are a married international award-winning photography team based in Charleston. They specialize in weddings, elopements, and various types of portrait sessions that highlight personal connections and the gorgeous scenery of West Virginia. The Oberports have been photographing weddings for nearly a decade. Their couples know them as easygoing, professional, and experienced storytellers. theoberports.com
James Carl Photography is the international award-winning husband-and-wife duo of James and Ellie. Out of their studio located in the Centre Market district in Wheeling, they enjoy working with couples throughout West Virginia and in Pittsburgh and the surrounding states. Married for more than 17 years, they strongly believe in the power of the printed photograph and they love dramatic light, the timeless pose, and authentic moments. jamescarlphotography.com
10 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
Wedding Wows!
We share our favorites from this issue’s submissions—from the best bridal portraits to our favorite cake topper. WOW!
favorite dress SHOT Samantha Amberg & Jacob Dougherty, photographed by James Carl Photography
Top 10 Covers -
WEDDING WOWS
The staff of WV Weddings shares the beautiful photos we considered for this issue’s cover. Here are the winner and top runners-up.
FALL/WINTER 2017
1
2
3
4
7
8
FALL/WINTER 2017
5
6
Cover
FINALISTS
1. Adair Burgess & Nolan Sankoff, photographed by The Oberports 2. Katrina Stewart & John Kappen, photographed by Kelli Carrico Photography 3. Courtney Cremeans & William Coleman, photographed by Alex Chaney Photo 4. Macall Allen & Kevin Speaker, photographed by Amberlee Christey Photography 5. Stephanie Alfred & John Iaquinta, photographed by Aaron Varga Photography 6. Gabrielle Capriotti & Nathan Foster, photographed by Carrie Leigh Photography 7. Kerith Groom & Andrew Richards, photographed by Amy Wallen Photography 8. Hannah Hern & Scott Bolyard, photographed by Emily Gates Photography 9. Darian Rapp & Scott Randall, photographed by Photography by Amanda 10. Cara Waybright & Thomas Cohen, photographed by Brittany Anderson Photography
9 12 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
10
WEDDING WOWS
best wedding
CAKES
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Kelsey VanSteelant & Mathew Aldridge, photographed by Callie Lindsey Photography; Laura Mercer & Stephen Sutherland, photographed by Callie Lindsey Photography; Stephanie Alfred & John Iaquinta, photographed by Aaron Varga Photography; Kerith Groom & Andrew Richards, photographed by Amy Wallen Photography
best seating
CHART
Macall Allen & Kevin Speaker, photographed by Amberlee Christey Photography
mywvwedding.com | 13
WEDDING WOWS
best COUPLE SHOTS LEFT TO RIGHT: Macall Allen & Kevin Speaker, photographed by Amberlee Christey Photography; Samantha Amberg & Jacob Dougherty, photographed by James Carl Photography; Haley Clark & Thomas Willard, photographed by Lauren Love Photography; Gabrielle Capriotti & Nathan Foster, photographed by Carrie Leigh Photography; Robert Larew & Michael Lentz, photographed by The Oberports; Kerith Groom & Andrew Richards, photographed by Amy Wallen Photography
14 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
mywvwedding.com | 15
WEDDING WOWS
best bridal
PORTRAIT
TOP TO BOTTOM Stephanie Alfred & John Iaquinta, photographed by Aaron Varga Photography; Katrina Stewart & John Kappen, photographed by Kelli Carrico Photography
best wedding
BOUQUET
Megan Coffman & Bradford Burns, photographed by Lauren Love Photography
best WEDDING
PARTY SHOT
Kimberly Hensley & Stephen Fife, photographed by Apt. B Photography
16 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
WEDDING WOWS
most unique wedding
CAKE TOPPER
Gabrielle Capriotti & Nathan Foster, photographed by Carrie Leigh Photography
most non-traditional
GUEST BOOK
Megan Coffman & Bradford Burns, photographed by Lauren Love Photography
mywvwedding.com | 17
WEDDING WOWS
best SCENIC
SHOTS
Hannah Hern & Scott Bolyard, photographed by Emily Gates Photography; Casey Prince & Caleb Johnson, photographed by The Oberports
best attendant
SHOT
Kimberly Hensley & Stephen Fife, photographed by Apt. B Photography
18 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
WEDDING WOWS
6
best ring SHOTS Laura Mercer & Stephen Sutherland, photographed by Callie Lindsey Photography; Megan Coffman & Bradford Burns, photographed by Lauren Love Photography
most unique
FAVORS
LEFT TO RIGHT: Robert Larew & Michael Lentz, photographed by The Oberports; Susanna Kapourales & Roger Lambert, photographed by Meredith Dickens Professional Imagery
mywvwedding.com | 19
best
DÉCOR ideas
TOP TO BOTTOM Macall Allen & Kevin Speaker, photographed by Amberlee Christey Photography; Darian Rapp & Scott Randall, photographed by Photography by Amanda; Megan Coffman & Bradford Burns, photographed by Lauren Love Photography
best
GROOMSMEN portrait
ABOVE Courtney Cremeans & William Coleman, photographed by Alex Chaney Photo BELOW Haley Clark & Thomas Willard, photographed by Lauren Love Photography
best MEAL breakfast for dinner Adair Burgess & Nolan Sankoff, photographed by The Oberports
20 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
Delight A Colorful
Two West Virginia natives share an adventurous summer wedding with family and friends.
written by
Demi Fuentes Ramirez • photographed by Amberlee Christey Photography
T
the first time kevin speaker saw macall allen, he was mesmerized by her beauty. It was game day, and Kevin went to his best friend’s house to watch the WVU vs. Oklahoma game. After a while, his best friend’s wife and friends arrived, and Kevin could only think about playing it cool in front of this beautiful woman who had just come in. When Macall arrived at her friend’s house, she immediately noticed the man wearing a full suit and tie. “He came through the door and I instantly thought, ‘Who is that?’” Macall says. But the man in the suit and tie played it too cool, and they never got a chance to talk. Two months later, Kevin and Macall were set up on a blind date by their friends. When Macall found out that her blind date was the suit and tie man, she did not hesitate. They met at Madeleine’s restaurant in Morgantown, talked for hours, and have been together ever since.
24 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
the proposal
After dating for two years, Kevin and Macall talked about getting engaged and decided that when the time came, Macall could pick out her ring. However, Kevin wanted to surprise her during their weekend away with friends at The Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. “I was planning on doing it on Saturday, but I couldn’t wait,” Kevin says, laughing at the memory. “I couldn’t relax, so I ended up doing it Friday evening.” While getting ready for dinner, Kevin suggested they take some pictures. Macall agreed but didn’t know what to wear. “I told Kevin to pick for me, and he couldn’t. I thought it was no big deal, but he just couldn’t pick,” she laughs. He wanted to propose in Macall’s favorite room at The Greenbrier Resort—the room with yellow, floral wallpaper and giant bow curtains—but it was reserved for a private party. Kevin, along with their friends, had to improvise to find another room, but they were all reserved. “I knew Macall was probably curious as to why I wanted pictures so badly,” Kevin says. Finally, they went outside to the courtyard to pose for pictures, and Kevin dropped to one knee and proposed. Even with Kevin’s anxious behavior, Macall did not expect a proposal and was completely surprised. Full of happiness, they spent the rest of the night celebrating with their friends.
The adventurous couple chose Adventures on the Gorge as their wedding and reception venue. Chiffon blue and white patterned bridesmaids’ gowns contrasted nicely with vibrantly hued bouquets against the verdant outdoor backdrop.
planning the adventure
The couple started planning right away. Kevin had previously been to a wedding at Adventures on the Gorge in Lansing and loved the area and the scenery. “It was important for us to have a wedding in West Virginia,” Kevin says. “And we liked Adventures on the Gorge because it was something really nice and different in West Virginia.” The venue went perfectly with their wedding theme. It all started with the idea that they were going to start their new life together, which was an adventure in itself. The venue provided a place where friends and family could go whitewater rafting or ziplining, which would be an adventure for the guests. “It was kind of like a destination wedding but only two hours away, and it would be a lot of fun for everyone,” Macall says. It fit perfectly. Once they chose the venue, Macall found the blue and white chiffon maxi dresses for the bridesmaids at Nordstrom, which inspired the patterns for their decorations. However, Macall and Kevin felt that the best way to follow their adventure theme was by having a lot of colors in their wedding. They consider themselves a colorful couple and decided that brightly colored flowers would go along with the patterns and their theme. They chose Bessie’s Floral Designs in Oak Hill to arrange the flowers. Instead of a traditional veil, Macall wore a flower crown, which created a beautiful contrast with her lace, fit-and-flare DaVinci gown. mywvwedding.com | 25
Cobalt and confetticolored accents provided a punch of color to the ceremony and reception dĂŠcor.
26 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
the big day
The seating chart was a creative display of Polaroid photographs of the guests with their seating
arrangement written on the back. Stemless wineglasses, personalized with the couple’s names
and the slogan “Our Adventure Begins,” were given to guests as favors.
“It was the hottest day on Earth! So humid and so hot!” Macall exclaims. The weather on their wedding day marked yet another adventure for Macall and Kevin and their guests. Their planning had not anticipated such a hot wedding day. For Macall, it was a very lively morning as she got ready with her family. “I was in the house with my three nieces and nephews. My sister was nine months pregnant and due the next day,” Macall laughs. “The house was full of kids screaming and it was kind of nuts.” For Kevin, it was a calm morning. He hung out with his family and watched movies as they got ready. But as time was getting closer, they were nervous about everyone being where they were supposed to be. They’d planned a lot for their day and Jessica Campbell, their event coordinator at Adventures on the Gorge, helped to make sure everything happened on time. During the ceremony, Macall was overwhelmed. “It was just so hot standing there,” she remembers. “Then came the sense of relief, and that’s when I cried.” All the stress that had been building up was finally released. It was an emotional moment for both, but they could not have been happier that day. Being surrounded by their loved ones and finally saying their “I do’s” was all they ever wanted. mywvwedding.com | 27
the fun
For their reception, the couple wanted to create a party atmosphere for their guests. There were confetti, cupcakes, beach balls, swan floats in the pool, and more. Instead of a traditional seating chart, the couple displayed Polaroid pictures of their guests with their assigned tables written on the backs. The tables were identified with names of things that were significant to the couple like “Coldplay,” “Mountaineers,” “Greenbrier,” “Coopers Rock,” and more. Many of the decorations were handmade by the couple and their family members, like the fabric pendants that hung outside and the wooden centerpieces. There was a sense of togetherness all through the wedding. The wedding party was announced to Coldplay’s “Adventure of a Lifetime,” the wedding’s unofficial theme song. And the newlyweds danced their first dance to a mix of songs they had selected. The fun first songs, “Africa” by Toto and “Beast of Burden” by The Rolling Stones, encouraged everyone to join in on the playful mood, and finally, they finished with a more serious and loving slow dance with “My Stunning Mystery Companion” by Jackson Browne. It was a playful and loving atmosphere for everyone present. “It was more open for people to be mingling around and just having a good time,” Kevin says. “Eventually as the night starts going on and the band starts playing, we start getting people in the pool and others just having a whole lot of fun. It was a great time.” In the end, the best part of their wedding was the people they got to share their day with. Knowing that everyone came to celebrate with them made their wedding fun and unforgettable. 28 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
Wed
DAY OF THE
A couple marks their marriage with a Halloween-themed monster mash.
written by
30 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
Zack Harold •
photographed by
Lauren Love Photography
Brad and Megan looked at a dozen venues before finding
T
the waning months of the year have always prompted people to think about the important things in life—it’s no coincidence the calendar gives us All Hallow’s Eve, the Day of the Dead, and Thanksgiving all within a few short weeks. There’s also a certain romantic magic in the air once the days grow shorter and leaves start to turn. So, really, is there a better time to celebrate a life-defining day? For Brad and Megan Burns, there was no question.
the love story
Brad Burns grew up in Alderson, Greenbrier County. Megan Coffman grew up just outside Cumberland, Maryland. They met in 2009 in a risk management class at West Virginia University. “I heard the professor call his name and looked over and saw his smile, and decided I wanted to get to know him better,” Megan says. She looked him up on Facebook and sent him a message asking if he wanted to get together to study. “I think she played me,” Brad says. In the end, he got a B in the class and she got an A. “I definitely didn’t need help,” Megan says. But
32 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
the one that fit the “dark elegance” they wanted for
their ceremony—the Highgate Carriage House in Fairmont.
they started hanging out more and more, and officially became an item a short time later. While both knew early on the relationship would be a keeper, they didn’t rush into anything. They both finished their degrees, began their careers, and bought a foreclosed house together, fixing it up themselves. But when they didn’t get engaged after more than a half-decade together, their loved ones began wondering about their plans. “I think it got to a point where it took me so long, her dad was starting to question whether it was a dead end,” Brad says. So he headed to Jacqueline’s Fine Jewelry in Morgantown where, with some help from Megan’s best friend, he spent a few hours designing an engagement ring he was certain she’d love. A few weeks later Brad and Megan went to the store together, at Megan’s request. To his dismay, Megan started fawning over rings that were very different from what he’d designed. “I pushed her toward the band design I went with, and she was flat out, ‘I don’t like it.’” So Brad snuck outside and called the store’s owner and told him he needed to make some changes. When he received the ring, he knew he would have to give it away soon—before any more hitches in his plan arose. He planned a date night at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania, including dinner reservations at the resort’s Aqueous restaurant. “I’ve never been so nervous in my life,” Brad says. “I was a mix of emotions. I was happy and nervous, because I wanted everything to be right and be perfect.” But according to Megan, he didn’t show it. “He’s got a great poker face and poker attitude.” The couple arrived a little early for their dinner reservations, for good reason—Brad wanted to propose before the meal, so he could enjoy the rest of the night. He grabbed the doorman, telling Megan he wanted the man to get a picture of them in their dress-up clothes. Brad actually asked the doorman to take a video as he got down on one knee in front of the restaurant’s big stone fireplace. She, of course, said yes.
making a plan
Wedding arrangements began not long after Megan got her ring. The first issue was choosing a date. They wanted the ceremony to fall on a date that ended with a 9, since they’d started dating on September 9 and gotten engaged on December 19. They started planning to get married on July 29, 2017, but ultimately decided the weather would be too
Forget mummies and ghosts. This couple used understated
Halloween and fall decorations in richly colored hues to lend their
ceremony and reception the ambience they wanted.
mywvwedding.com | 33
The ceremony was held in the Highgate Carriage House‘s
back garden, followed by a cocktail hour inside.
34 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
The reception took place in a tent on the property.
Thoughtful details were used creatively throughout the venue. The stone
provided a perfect gothiclike backdrop for the wedding ceremony.
unpredictable in summer. Instead, they went with October 29, 2016. It turned out to be the perfect decision. Both Brad and Megan love Halloween, so much that they decorate their house in early September and keep certain decorations out all year long. Because Megan’s job keeps her on the road all week, she and Brad knew they wouldn’t have time to make many of the arrangements on their own. So they hired wedding planner Yohana Williams to lead the charge. Now with Yohana onboard, one of the first orders of business was to find a venue. “We said, ‘We want a dark elegance,’” Megan says. The couple also wanted a venue close to home so their elderly grandparents could attend. “We looked at at least a dozen places,” Brad says. It was an exhaustive search that included places in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and West Virginia. Finally, they visited Highgate Carriage House in Fairmont. “It had a gothic look,” Megan says. It was exactly what they wanted. “It was perfect,” Brad says. “We didn’t have to do much decorating to give it the look we were looking for.” Next came the dress. This, too, was a long process. Megan visited five stores and tried around 30 dresses on. Finally, at Bridal Beginning in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, her mother spotted a gold and ivory lace gown embellished with beading from top to bottom. It had a mermaid silhouette, V-shaped neckline, natural waist, and chapel train of English net. “It’s funny my mom ended up picking the dress that I ended up loving,” Megan says. “For every high school dance I went to, my mom always ended up picking out my dress and it was always the last one I tried on.” The same was true for her wedding dress. Although her mom was initially unsure about eschewing the traditional white dress, her mind immediately changed when she saw her daughter in the dress. “I put it on and it was perfect. It was a great moment. Lots of tears.” Everything was coming together, but Megan and Brad still had one crucial piece to figure out—the flowers. “The flowers were dead last. That was the very last thing we did,” she says. They knew they wouldn’t need lots of decorations, but wanted some dark flowers to play off the old, dark stone at the venue. Megan didn’t have specific requirements, but traded photos with the planner to convey what she wanted. “I wanted something that had to do with that witching-hour vibe,” she says. They lined up a florist to bring the vision to life but then, just a few weeks before the ceremony, the shop backed out. Their wedding planner scrambled to find a replacement, winding up with Mt. Lebanon Floral in Pittsburgh. The arrangements were simple but elegant. The aisles were lined with lanterns topped with autumn-colored flowers, with two larger lanterns in front to serve as a focal point for the ceremony. Bridesmaids carried lanterns, too, instead of traditional bouquets. And Megan carried a cascade bouquet with more than 15 varieties of flowers and plants in a purple, red and gold palette—hanging amaranthus, hydrangeas, roses, dahlias, berries, seasonal blooms, and textured greens. The bouquet also included ribbons and a piece of lace from her mother’s bouquet that had been dipped in gold. “I truly think this other florist backed out so we could find the perfect one,” Megan says. mywvwedding.com | 35
the day of the wed
The couple carried their theme throughout the reception. Silhouettes of bats were projected on to the top of the tent, and even the Dale Hawkins’ signature Jack Daniels cake was booooooozy.
36 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
On the day of the wedding, Megan and her bridesmaids got their hair and makeup done at a spa in Cheat Lake. When they were ready, Megan had a first-look photo shoot with her father and Brad. Then the bridal party rented a party bus and headed to Fairmont for the wedding. The “short and sweet” ceremony lasted only 12 minutes. Both sets of parents gave their children away. And, as a sign of both their love and their mutual interest in boating, the couple tied a rope knot as part of the ceremony. While the wedding party stayed behind for photos, guests were treated to a cocktail hour with mini–grilled cheese sliders, pepperoni rolls, and three soups prepared by their caterer, Dale Hawkins of Fish Hawk Acres. Then it was on to the reception tent. The Halloween theme continued there, but in a less moody fashion— the decorations popped in livelier shades of orange and purple, and there were masquerade masks for guests. The lanterns from the aisle were reused as centerpieces and the bridesmaids’ lanterns were hung by the wedding party’s table, while the larger lanterns adorned the bride and groom’s table. The menu consisted of chicken piccata with penne pasta, roasted prime rib au jus, au gratin potatoes, a cucumber and tomato salad, and a garden salad. For dessert, guests enjoyed Hawkins’ signature Jack Daniels cake, a DIY brownie bar with blondies and fudge brownies, and fresh apple dumplings with vanilla ice cream. The food was so good the party hit a lull—but DJ Eric Wenning made sure that didn’t last long. As soon as he cranked up the tunes, “the dance floor was packed for the rest of the night,” Brad says. Megan had long joked she wanted the Backstreet Boys to perform at her wedding. Her bridal party couldn’t make that happen, but offered the next best thing—they rewrote the lyrics to the band’s “Backstreet’s Back” for the newlyweds and performed a choreographed routine with Brad’s groomsmen. At the end of the night, everyone boarded the party buses and headed back to Morgantown. The bridal party had planned to go out on the town but were partied out. Brad and Megan changed clothes, walked downtown, grabbed a slice of pizza, and went to sleep. The newlyweds decided to wait until March 2017 for their honeymoon. “We wanted to have that time to recoup and recover from the wedding,” Megan says. They took a week and a half off, spending a few days in Las Vegas, Nevada, before heading to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Now Brad and Megan have settled into life at their Cheat Lake home. She still spends each week traveling the country as a software trainer while Brad runs an outdoor supply company. But they still relish the memories they made on their long-awaited wedding day. “It certainly was the best evening we could have asked for,” Megan says. “We joke and say we threw the best Halloween party of our lives.”
mywvwedding.com | 37
Sweet
SHORT AND
How one laid-back couple planned a simple, elegant wedding in less than six months. Zack Harold photographed by The Oberports written by
P
plenty of little girls begin planning their wedding long before a husband is even in the picture. They dream of billowing gowns, regally decorated churches, and elaborate receptions in glittering ballrooms. Then they get older, find the right partner, and make those storybook dreams come true. Adair Burgess isn’t one of those people. “From the time I was a little girl, I always told my mom, ‘I don’t want a big wedding,’” she says. “You see weddings where there are 500 people there and the marriage lasts six months. For me, I cared about who I was marrying.” As fate would have it, Adair didn’t even have to look very far for her husband. Her brother Jordan played soccer with Nolan Sankoff in middle school. In high school, the boys ran cross-country and had some classes together. Then Nolan’s family moved to the same Elkview neighborhood and he started coming to the Burgess house a lot, watching sports and playing video games. “It turned from hanging out with her brother to hanging out with her while her brother was gone,” Nolan says. This went on for years before it became anything serious. In 2015, Adair was in Morgantown finishing up her time at West Virginia University, while Nolan had moved back to the Charleston area after graduating from WVU. He had just ended a pretty serious relationship and, one day, decided to text Adair. They struck up a long-distance relationship, Facetiming every night. “I knew he was the one for me,” Adair says. Nolan knew, too. He proposed after they had been dating about six months. Since he and Adair both enjoy spending time outdoors, he planned to pop the question on the Long Point Trail near Fayetteville, which ends in a sweeping view of the New River Gorge and its namesake bridge. But on the day he picked—April 9, 2016—southern West Virginia experienced a late-season snowstorm. The roads in Kanawha County were covered and slick. Adair, unaware of his real plans for the day, expected the always-cautious Nolan to call off the trip. “I was like ‘Babe, we can turn around and go back.’” But Nolan pressed on, even when the trail was covered in snow. “At that point I was like, there’s definitely something going on.” They went on, slipping and sliding, until they reached the end of the trail, where Nolan swallowed his acrophobia, got down on one knee, and asked Adair to marry him. “My words were ‘Yes. Can you please get up off the cold rock now?’”
Adair and Nolan held their intimate ceremony at the historic Craik-Patton House in Charleston,
followed by a simple cake and punch reception for their 14 guests.
40 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
Adair wasn’t picky about the flowers in her bouquet. She just chose a flower she liked, a stargazer lily, and her florist built a bouquet around it. But she was
most happy about the necklaces incorporated in the arrangement—a locket from one of her grandmothers, and a cross necklace from another.
mywvwedding.com | 41
After the ceremony, Nolan and Adair went to J.Q. Dickinson SaltWorks in Malden for a portrait session with their photographers, the Oberports.
easy does it
People soon began asking Nolan and Adair about their wedding. They put off thinking about it for a while. When Adair decided it was time to nail down a date, Nolan suggested a September wedding. She assumed he meant September 2017. Nolan, admittedly unaware of the time and preparation required to plan a normal wedding, said he actually meant September 2016—less than six months away. “I had no clue,” he says. Other brides might have balked at the timeline. But Adair, easygoing as ever, was unfazed. With a date in hand, the couple started looking for venues. They came across the Craik-Patton House, a Greek Revival–style historic home along the Kanawha River in Charleston. The house hadn’t hosted many wedding ceremonies but, once Adair and Nolan spotted the garden in the back, they knew they’d found the perfect place for their ceremony. Next, they needed to pick a color palette. Being WVU grads, Nolan suggested blue and gold. Adair turned to Pinterest and found some color palettes that incorporate those colors—landing on a tasteful combination of burgundy, navy, gold, and dark pink. She wasn’t picky about what flowers would be used, so Young’s Floral in Charleston had her choose one flower she liked—it was a stargazer lily—and built a bouquet around that. Her favorite part of the bouquet, however, was that it incorporated a cross necklace from one of her grandmothers and a locket from another
42 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
grandmother. “As I carried it, you could see the necklaces with the locket and the cross over my hands.” Dress shopping went similarly smoothly. “I’m not one of those people who wanted to spend an arm and a leg on a wedding,” Adair says. She originally wanted to buy from a consignment shop, but after visiting three different places, she still hadn’t found anything that suited her taste and price range. Then, she and her mom dropped in at The Boutique by B.Belle Events. Adair wanted a form-fitting dress— ”something that made me feel older and more womanly.” She tried on one Justin Alexander dress with a jacket on top that buttoned up the back. Her mom cried. Adair was sold.
the big (small) day
Adair and Nolan came up with a bare-bones guest list for their ceremony, inviting only their parents, grandparents, siblings and their significant others, and the pastor. There were 16 people in attendance, including the bride and groom. “It was perfect. The people we really wanted there were there,” Adair says. The ceremony was, in the couple’s words, “short and sweet.” Adair and her father walked down the aisle to Pachelbel’s “Canon in D.” Guests sat off to one side while the couple exchanged their self-written vows among the garden’s manicured hedges. There was no PA system, so no one could actually hear the couple speak the words. Adair says some were disappointed by that, but “for me, it gave us the intimacy I liked.”
Three weeks after their ceremony, Adair and Nolan held a reception
for their family and friends at J.Q. Dickinson SaltWorks in Malden.
44 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
The evening reception included a breakfast-themed meal of bacon,
eggs, quiche, cinnamon rolls, fruit, and pies, catered by South Hills Market
& Cafe and served family-style on long tables.
The couple walked out to “Take Me Home, Country Roads.” The newlyweds then treated guests to a small reception with punch and cake before everyone left to watch the WVU football season opener, and Adair and Nolan went to J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works in Malden to take photos. Since they kept the wedding guest list small, Adair and Nolan promised their friends a big reception—but first, the couple wanted to enjoy their honeymoon. “Once we decided to go off the traditional path, we decided we’d try to do everything as nontraditional as possible,” Adair says.
the after-party
Following the wedding and photoshoot, Adair and Nolan embarked on a grand tour of West Virginia, spending time in Canaan Valley, the Eastern Panhandle, and the New River Gorge, among other destinations. They avoided interstates, taking back roads everywhere they went. “People our age and younger think of West Virginia as a boring place,” Nolan says. “But if you put some miles under your boots, you can see a lot of amazing things.” Three weeks after their wedding ceremony, the couple held a reception at J.Q. Dickinson. Just like the wedding, it was a laid-back affair. He wore boots and jeans and a polo shirt, while she wore a simple white dress she’d purchased in Lewisburg on their honeymoon. J.Q. Dickinson provided all of the decorations and flower arrangements. The menu, catered by South Hills Market & Cafe and served family-style, reflected the couple’s love of breakfast foods: bacon, eggs, four kinds of quiche, cinnamon rolls, and fruit. Drinks included an assortment of beer, wine, and two kinds of sangria. The night’s entertainment first came from a radio playing the WVU football game, then from a Spotify playlist the couple created—although that only lasted about 15 minutes before guests started commandeering the iPhone to play their own favorite tunes. Then, at some point, it turned into a karaoke party. Nolan and his buddies even took a turn at the mic, belting Hank Williams Jr.’s “Dinosaur.” Now, more than a year after their hasty nuptials, Adair and Nolan say they wouldn’t change a thing. Just two months after the couple was married, Nolan’s grandmother was diagnosed with cancer. She passed away the following February. Had they waited to get married, she wouldn’t have been at the ceremony. It might seem impossible—or at least unwise—to plan a wedding in less than six months. But with the right attitude, “it’s funny how things have a way of working out,” Nolan says. mywvwedding.com | 45
Winter A Warm
Wedding
The Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel provides an ideal destination for this couple’s classic yet modern winter wedding. written by Demi
Fuentes Ramirez photographed by James Carl Photography
A
a long-distance relationship is a challenge that not everyone can face. But for Jacob Dougherty and Samantha Amberg, the distance did not matter. The only thing that mattered was their love. They met in 2009 when Samantha started her first year at American University in Washington, D.C. Jacob was her upperclassmen leader in the Freshman Service Experience program. They soon became close friends and, by January 2011, they started dating. Unfortunately, once graduated, they returned to their hometowns: Jacob to Wheeling, West Virginia, and Samantha to Frederick, Maryland. For three years, they saw each other just twice a month. It was a challenge for them, but one they knew they would soon overcome.
the proposal
It was November 2015, right before Thanksgiving, and Jacob and his mother were going to Frederick to visit Samantha and her family. It was a difficult week for Samantha, but Jacob kept reassuring her that it would get better. He picked her up from work to take her to dinner with their parents, then suggested they walk around downtown for a little while. “He likes to walk around cities, so I didn’t really pick up on the cues,” Samantha laughs. They arrived at Baker Park, where a bell tower overlooks an octagonal fountain. It was a chilly afternoon, the fountain was off, and they were alone. Before the fountain, he got down on one knee and proposed. In that moment, Samantha
48 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
could not have been happier. “It was really nice because it was just the two of us,” she says. After sharing their special moment, they went to Volt, a restaurant in Frederick where their parents waited eagerly. Once the good news was announced, they ordered champagne and celebrated for the rest of the night.
planning a winter wedding
The newly betrothed couple immediately started looking at venues. By December, they found the Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel in Taneytown, Maryland. They knew they wanted a winter wedding, and once they met Beth Hnatio-Pumphrey, event coordinator at Antrim 1844, they felt at ease. “We really liked a vintage-classic style,” Samantha says. “With the Antrim’s beautiful fireplaces and art, we weren’t going to have to inject personality into the space because it already had its own and we could let the place speak for itself.” A few months later, Samantha found her dress during a spontaneous trip to I Do, I Do Wedding Gowns in Gaithersburg, Maryland. She saw one dress out of the corner of her eye and said to her mother, “If that dress is in my budget, that’s my dress.” It was a Justin Alexander gown with frothy ivory tulle and delicate pearl beading. Samantha immediately cried when she tried it on. Other dresses did not compare. When she tried it on again, she cried once more. Without a doubt, that was her dress.
The couple chose to have their winter wedding at the historic Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel in Taneytown, Maryland.
The home, with its antiques and historic architectural details, served as a perfect backdrop.
50 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
“We really liked a vintage-classic style,” Samantha says. “With the Antrim’s beautiful
a warm feeling
Jacob and Samantha wanted to keep the traditional wedding framework while personalizing it with other influences they liked. Once the groom found his burgundy Armani tuxedo at Ross Park Mall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, they decided that their wedding colors would be warm champagne and gold accented with red tones. The colors went perfectly with “hygge”—a Danish term that represents the feeling of coziness and togetherness. Samantha’s bridesmaid learned about the term while studying abroad in Denmark. The couple knew they wanted their wedding to have this feeling of intimacy, warmth, and familiarity. “Winter is really cold outside,” Samantha says. “But there is this really wonderful, cozy atmosphere that happens when you’re with loved ones during that time. Hygge was the inspiration for it.” They decided to have candles and flowers that went along with the warm feel. Their floral designer, Abigail Chapple, brought fruits and translated the look and feel they wanted to achieve. Because they wanted a natural, classic look with a touch of modernism, they contrasted Antrim 1844’s traditional setting with contemporary arrangements. To add to the hygge feeling of familiarity and togetherness, Samantha also learned calligraphy so she could hand craft the wedding invitations and place cards. “If I wanted to invite these wonderful people to come to our wedding and share this day with us, it mattered to me to take time to hand write it rather than print it,” she says. The place cards were hand painted with red, deep purple, and nude pink watercolors.
fireplaces and art, we weren’t going to have to inject personality to the space because it
already had its own and we could let the place speak for itself.”
As wedding favors, Samantha wanted to follow her family’s tradition and gave Jordan almonds from her grandmother’s home town in Sulmona, Italy. Each favor had seven almonds to represent health, happiness, fertility, partnership, wealth, unity of spirit, and a long life.
52 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
the big day
Even while including other influences, the couple kept the Appalachian feel. Jacob walked down the aisle to an indie version of “Froggy Went ACourtin’,” and Samantha walked down to The Avett Brothers’ “January Wedding.” They were nervous and excited. The moment their eyes met, they cried. “We wanted the ceremony to represent us and how we wanted to show our love for each other,” Jacob says. “It was very personal to each of us, and I was very emotional during it.” Instead of opening with a traditional prayer, they meditated on their moment and asked everyone to be present and grateful for where they were. They read
poems by Pablo Neruda and E.E. Cummings, both focusing on their love and on choosing each other. “Being in a long-distance relationship for three years, you really have to make a choice every day that that person is still the one you are going to be choosing. And we are so happy to be making that choice,” Samantha says. They also integrated the Scottish tradition of handfasting. Their hands were wrapped with hand-beaded cords that Samantha made. It is an ancient tradition that celebrates the unity of the couple. And their ceremony extended the feeling of unity to everyone present. “The size of our wedding was such that I felt like every person in the room was participating in the ceremony, not just witnessing it,” Jacob says. During the reception, everyone could feel the warmth of the newlyweds’ love. They danced their first dance to an Appalachian waltz. Instead of a traditional cake, they had fruit tarts and desserts. The guests enjoyed the food and danced all night long. “The rest of the night was a blast. It went by too fast,” Jacob says. It was an overwhelming occasion for them. They were surrounded by the people they love, and everyone showed their support. As wedding favors, Samantha wanted to follow her family’s tradition and had Jordan almonds from her grandmother’s home town in Sulmona, Italy. They call them confetti. Each favor had seven almonds to represent health, happiness, fertility, partnership, wealth, unity of spirit, and a long life. Every detail of Samantha and Jacob’s wedding represented their love and unity. It was a cold, January day, perfect for a winter wedding. But inside, there was warmth, laughter, and love. There was the feeling of comfort and familiarity—the feeling of hygge. For Jacob and Samantha, it was perfect.
mywvwedding.com | 53
SAY YES TO
OGLEBAY f photographed by Rebecca Kiger Fotografia
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Featuring 1,700 acres of lush, landscaped lawns, four golf courses, three restaurants, two swimming pools, a stately mansion and lake, and a plethora of activities, Oglebay in Wheeling, West Virginia, is a unique wedding venue that offers a myriad of options to customize the wedding of your dreams. From an intimate garden party ceremony to an all-inclusive destination extravaganza to a post-nuptial brunch for a small gathering, Oglebay is the pictureperfect backdrop to your special day. For more information on how Oglebay can transform your vision into the wedding of your dreams, call 877.436.1797, or visit oglebay.com OGLEBAY is where tradition begins—from your tailor-made wedding to your reception to the honeymoon afterwards. It’s a place where you will return year after year. You can choose among a variety of venues, such as the West Spa Patio that has a stunning view of Schenk Lake. You can then celebrate with a reception suited to your wedding size, from the rustic Caddy Camp to the graceful Glessner Ballroom. Oglebay is a canvas on which you can paint your perfect wedding, from elegant to rustic to anything in between. Developed after Earl W. Oglebay willed his mansion— now a museum—to the city of Wheeling in 1926, Oglebay has so many celebration options that it can host multiple weddings in one weekend. Guests can enjoy a weekend full of fun, food, and friendship without ever having to take a step off the manicured lawns. Golfers can choose among four courses—championship
greens designed by the late, great Arnold Palmer and Robert Trent Jones Sr., the 18-hole regulation Crispin Golf Course, and a nine-hole Par 3. After—or instead of—hitting a hole-in-one, a host of other activities beckon, including splashing around in the outdoor pool at the Crispin Center or the indoor pool at Wilson Lodge; paddle boating, fishing, and kayaking at Schenk Lake; visits to the Mansion Museum, Glass Museum, and the Oglebay Good Zoo; horseback riding, biking, and walking; or even skiing and the Winter Festival of Lights in December. The West Spa provides an oasis for the wedding party to get mani-pedis or guests to enjoy a relaxing massage. Guests can gear up for the day with a hearty breakfast at the Ihlenfeld Dining Room daily buffet, have a late afternoon nosh at the new seasonal, outdoor Garden Bistro, and wind down with dinner at Ihlenfeld or the Glassworks Grill.
Picture-Perfect Venues WEST SPA TERRACE
This popular and versatile location provides a rooftop feel with a stunning view of the rolling hillsides of Oglebay and Schenk Lake. Arrange your outdoor seating in a traditional style or opt for a more contemporary circular pattern. The area can be tented as well. ANNE KUCHINKA AMPHITHEATER
This unique 1400-seat outdoor theater is a customizable backdrop awaiting your creative wedding décor. It has been the site of many concerts and events since the 1930s and is perfect for large weddings. THE PINE ROOM
Built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, this beautiful facility overlooks the outdoor pool and features a large fireplace, stage, heating/air-conditioning, and catering kitchen, and has a dinner seating capacity of 350. FORMAL GARDENS
Nestled behind the Mansion Museum, Oglebay‘s 10-acre gardens have been restored to resemble the flowerbeds of the early 1900s. Visitors to the gardens are treated to a three-season kaleidoscope of color as they meander along the brick walkways past sweeping beds of vibrant blooms and hanging baskets. Improvements completed in 1994 made the gardens, arboretum, and outdoor theater area handicapped-accessible. This lovely spot is an ideal setting for an outdoor wedding ceremony, with a capacity of 150. THE OGLEBAY GOOD ZOO
With over 50 species, 20 that are rare or endangered, the Oglebay Good Zoo was dedicated in memory of 7-year-old Philip Mayer Good in 1977 and continues to thrive through the support of local residents. The Zoo is an open canvas for your wedding ceremony or reception. This facility will hold up to 100 guests for a unique, intimate wedding. CAMP RUSSEL AND CADDY CAMP
Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, these locations represent the “rustic architecture” of the era that strove to blend interior design with the surrounding landscape. Heavy logs and exposed beams with stone accents provide the perfect backdrop for a rustic wedding. Caddy Camp is located at Crispin Golf Course and provides a secluded location for weddings or rehearsal dinners. Camp Russel is larger with a nearby covered pavilion and large open field. It has a capacity of 200. MANSION MUSEUM AND MANSION WOODS
Purchased by Colonel Earl W. Oglebay in 1900 as his summer retreat, the stately yellow Mansion Museum, operated by the Oglebay Institute, is a striking backdrop for wedding photos. The surrounding wooded acreage is another lovely option for a garden-style ceremony or reception site. SCHENK LAKE AND VISTA
This 3-acre lake surrounded by rolling hills is a romantic backdrop for weddings. A floating pier can be provided on the lake for your special day. The scenic vista framing Wilson Lodge offers amazing views of the surrounding countryside and Schenk Lake.
For more information, visit oglebay.com or call 877.436.1797
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
A Feast—and Several Settings—Fit for a Fabulous Wedding Customizing is the name of the wedding game at Oglebay, when it comes to both menus and venues. For the reception on the big day, couples can choose among different packages—Diamond, Platinum, and Gold—featuring a four-hour hosted bar, hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast, and a plated or buffet dinner. Depending on the tier, the packages can include breast of chicken stuffed with lobster, lump crab-crusted halibut, roasted tri-pepper crusted tenderloin of beef, and Oglebay’s own jumbo lump crab cake, plus a variety of sides, salads, and vegetables. A three-tiered wedding cake tops off the celebration. Customize your reception with a wide array of venue sites. Oglebay has several to offer, starting with Glessner Auditorium, an elegant ballroom that holds up to 400 guests, who can dance the evening away on an inlaid wood floor
underneath a dramatically draped wooden ceiling. The room’s unique split-level layout offers attendees room to mill around and visit with friends and family. An elevated stage, power screens, a sound system, and remote lighting provide additional entertainment options. Then there is the Pine Room, which has a similar capacity but a completely different feel. Built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration, the Pine Room offers the warmth of a fireplace and the image of cool fun as it overlooks the outdoor pool. A stage also provides the opportunity for an evening of music and dance. Wilson Lodge has several sizes of banquet rooms that can be customized to seat up to 250. In all locations, Chiavari chairs and linens are among the items that Oglebay can provide to meet a couple’s expectations. Whatever your vision or dream, Oglebay makes it come to life.
For more information, visit oglebay.com or call 877.436.1797
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION
Lodging à la carte For wedding guests who make a weekend of it, Oglebay offers a variety of options, from cottages or estate houses where families and friends can gather to lodge rooms that offer hotellike options to the Presidential Suite, where the wedding party can get ready for the big day in comfort and style.
WILSON LODGE
Guests who choose the Wilson Lodge have a selection of rooms, from traditional to intermediate and deluxe, and now the newly renovated West Wing rooms. All rooms have LCD TVs, high-speed Internet, and Keurig coffeemakers, as well as easy access to Oglebay’s newly renovated fitness center, movement studio, and indoor pool.
An All-Inclusive Destination West Virginia friends and a convenient drive or flight for others. Maria Juliana loved the beauty and breathtaking view of her ceremony site—the West Spa Patio— where chairs were set up in a circular pattern for a more inclusive feel. For the reception, she and Lenny chose the dazzling Glessner Auditorium. She also loved that she could choose from a plated meal or buffet service, that the package came with served hors d’oeuvres and a cake with
textured, ruffled buttercream icing. Between the ceremony and the reception, Maria Juliana and her bridal party also had time to ride around on one of two Oglebay Trolleys, where they could relax and enjoy a cocktail as they traveled to various locales—including the columned Mansion Museum—for photo opportunities. “It gave the wedding party, me, and my husband the opportunity to spend time alone, have a few drinks, and talk.”
One of Oglebay’s unique amenities is the two trolleys that can take wedding parties around the 1,700-acre grounds or even to points off-site for tours, after-ceremony photos, and more. The bridal party can relax, enjoy drinks, and visit with one another while the trolley takes them from one fantastic, photogenic destination—the Formal Gardens, the Mansion Museum—to another. The trolleys, which seat 32 people, also can be used to take a bridal party from a church to its Oglebay reception. For more information, visit oglebay.com or call 877.436.1797
COTTAGES
For large family gatherings or getting together with good friends, consider a cottage. They come in two, four, six, and eight bedrooms— as well as with amenities including traditional, deluxe, and premium, and options including a fireplace and a washer and dryer.
ESTATE HOUSES
CHRIS WEISLER
OGLEBAY’S unique location makes it an ideal setting to bring friends and family together. When Maria Juliana Lloreda was looking for a place to hold her all-inclusive August 2015 destination wedding, Oglebay—an hour’s drive from Pittsburgh International Airport—made a lot of sense. Born in Columbia, South America, Maria Juliana met her future husband, Leonard Maier, in Florida, and got engaged to him in their current home of Morgantown. Oglebay was close for their
The 4,600-square-foot estate houses feature six bedrooms and six bathrooms and a powder room overlooking the Speidel Golf Club, which accommodates the Arnold Palmer- and Robert Trent Jones Sr.-designed championship courses. All houses come equipped with gas grills, washer and dryer sets, dishwashers, and more.
Twice as Nice
WV Weddings is published twice a year!
SEE YOUR WEDDING in the WEDDING REGISTER and become a memorable part of the only statewide collection of real West Virginia weddings. THE REG ISTE R
BRIDE’S GOWN
LUXEredux
GROO M’S
FALL /WI NTE
Bridal, Colum bus,
ATTIRE
Saks Fifth Avenue, online
R 2017
OH
HAIR
Joy Mount s, Salon 405, Charleston Lacey McCom as MAKEU P
COORD INATO
R
Kathy Cobb, Defining Mome Ripley nts Party Rentals ,
FLOWE RS
Historic-
Bessie’s Floral Designs, Oak Hill ER
VIDEO GRAPH
Unscripted
CATER ER
Ma ke it
MIRANDA BETH SWISHER & LUCAS WALTERS COX ILLE | 5.28 .16
FAYE TTEV
BRIDE’ S PAREN TS
Ed & Millie Swisher
GROO M’S
PAREN TS
Bruce & Judi Cox PHOTO GR
APHED BY
The Oberports
it was love at first swipe Springdale, . charlesto Pennsylvani n nativ e a, nor Lucas had high expec on Tinder, a matchmakin miranda met lucas , from tations of findin were both g phone app. wrong Neither Miran a Mountainee . Two weeks and hours g a serious relationship da this way, yet rs footba ll game. A couple of phone conversations party, Lucas they later, they made a toast years later, met at said yes. Less and while at an office Chris than five month got down on one knee tmas day with their to propose s after the to Miranda, closest friend engagement who bride’s vintag , the couple s and family shared e-inspired their fitted lace dress at the Gaines Estate groom paired in Fayet teville big a light gray featured a . The deep back navy paisle suit with a and V-neck. y pocket square navy blue vest, The of honor as striped tie, . The couple Miranda’s and had a small attendant and wedding party kelly green and 1937 Packa a best man rd to with just a for Lucas. aisle. The couple meet her father, who man The bride walked her rode in a navy down the hydra Virginia’s larges exchanged vows they wrote ngea-lined t and oldest outdo shared their white oak trees. themselves in front first dance of one of West or At the to the song Miranda’s “Just One Look reception, Miranda feelings for and Lucas Lucas ” by Doris food was served when she laid Troy to comm , followed by eyes on him emorate Guests took a three-tiered for the first home favors time. wedding cake of wooden featuring the adorned with Mexican plante bride’s and succu groom’s initial rs filled with minia The newly ture succu lents, lents. weds s and weddi ng date burne Electric Power enjoyed a honey moon to St. Lucia d into the wood , . Lucas is a Surgical. The while Miranda is a senior . lineman for couple now American resides in Charl clinical representative with Intuit eston. ive
TH
ER EG
IS T
ER
EM & JOILEE H AB NAT OPE DA RR LL A HAN COO IC A NE |6 ISA K .2 5 .16 AC Faith & HU
BR
two page spread
s Real Wedd ing ! to inspire you
ID E’
S PA
RE
N TS
Sam OM Co ’S ok & Ka PA RE N ren TS Ab dal PH la Love ED BY ah Ph oto al gra toge low een phy th er his part ho , an him metow d Jonath y in 20 he sa about n of C an exce 12 brou H The w the ope. Jo harlest eded th ght h on Te Ph. y dated ays V nathan to H e spee ope an d D un d al was . cand for mor ley na , an acco tingt limit Jonath dr on tiv Hop studyi idate in e than e that untant after iving an ng from two , a she her e’s door for an chem ye w knew budd to be bell, exam istry at ars. O as the the m y told aisl hi ro e the ne Fr one fo omen in a on the s wife. ses in for he r do Unive iday, as r him. t ha O flo ba n nd ck la with w y the Hop , go ctorat rsity go Mis a lace wn w wn of big da t on on e, Jona of Ken e, a -c L y, tuck plai chka he overed ith a sw ionhea Hop e knee than y, ra e d mom bow els. Jo veil an eethea rt Cha walke , and as ng tie nath teau d do d C rt ne ked coup ent w and wn m an m inde cklin in as for le husb whe atchin et he rella-b e ac Hurri the n th ce ca r Gue eir fir and an the ju g pock in a gr lue B ssoriz ne ad st d dge— et sq ay suit gley ed pipi sts enjo dance, wife. ua he L ng took in fla yed a fo a waltz essons r uncl re. Hop with a e— pu pron e’s favo rple in L a hone vors of ur-tiere to “W gave th re ym he e d exin ou ri gton oon cr d velvet square n You couple nced te confi the Sa ca , Ken uise , ch tuck to V ocolat ke with y Nothi denc enic e BR e, y. ID e, It and va white-o ng at A The E’S G aly, ll. and nilla. T n-white " Ch Boutiq OW N arle Gre ue he co BR by ec ID ES ston B.Be up e. T The M AI hey le lle Even live Ch Boutiq DS ’ DR CA arle ts, ue ES TE G RO
Ted
PH
O TO
Laur en
one page register
G RA
G RO sto by D’Ar RE R n B.Be SE S AT TI O M ’S lle CA tagnan &G Even KE JoS. RE RO Even Paul ts, OM O FF A. Ba ts, SM G RO a Vega Ch EN arle Circ IC IA N nks, Ch ’S Ca O M ’S , Hun ston T arle ke Prin uit Judg ston Ch s by CA KE tington ce eW arle Ap PL AN ton EN ston poin illiam TE N An tmen J. Sa BRAV RTAI dre ER t, N Da dler RE N O~L M EN rtagnBaskin , T ive CE RE M an Ev , A to TA LS DJ, The Hur ON ents, Hun Z Rent rican Willi Brown Y M US Char e FAVOtington als & IC le am Q ston Sale FL O uarte RS Ja Da s, rta Mar W ER S ckson, t, Ch VI DE gnan ar Ch Da ia Man arle lesto Yam O G RA Even rtagn ston n fredi ts, an Ch Oak ean St PH ER Even , arle ston FI RE hurst, udios ts, Ch Film arle Zam WO RK N J s, ston S LO belli CA Fir Lionh TI O N ewor ks eart , Pi ttsbu Ch atea rgh u, H urric ane
TO BE INCLUDED IN WV WEDDINGS SPRING/SUMMER 2018 Must be married between March 1, 2017 and August 19, 2017
early bird deadline December 1, 2017
Pineville
Cakes by Liza, Range r RENTA LS Party Reflect ions, Raleigh ENTER TAINM , NC ENT DJ Charlie Blac, Huntin gton Ryan Kenne dy, Charle ston LOCAT ION Gaines Estate, Fayetteville
West Virgin ia’s
ULTIMATE WEDDING GUIDE
Memories,
The Station , Fayette Vandal’s Kitchen ville , Fayetteville CAKE
final deadline January 8, 2018
EARLY BIRD TWO-PAGE SPREAD WEDDING REGISTER FEE: $375 ONE-PAGE REGISTER FEE: $275 Purchase by the Spring/Summer early bird deadline and save $50.* *Regular fee is $425 for a two-page spread and $325 for a one-page register. Refunds for submissions will not be given after 10 days from purchase date.
➸ Go to mywvwedding.com for more dates and submission info Look for the SPRING/SUMMER ISSUE on newsstands by THE END OF APRIL 2018 QUESTIONS? Email us at wvweddings@newsouthmediainc.com or call 304.413.0104.
THE REGISTER
Announce your
Engagement HERE
Announce your engagement to friends and family across the state in our Engagement Announcement section of WV Weddings. We are currently accepting engagement announcements for the Spring/Summer 2018 issue of WV Weddings.
Engagement Announcement Fee
$75
Visit mywvwedding.com for details and to submit your engagement announcement.
120 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
mywvwedding.com | 125
WV WEDDINGS MARKETPLACE
HOUSE of FASHIONS
6 Providing fashions for all of your wedding, tuxedo, prom, and formal needs. 121 DANIEL DRIVE, BRIDGEPORT, WV | 304.672.5490 | HOFWV.COM
126 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2017
REBECCA DEVONO PHOTOGRAPHY
We treat your experience as if it were our own.
WV WEDDINGS MARKETPLACE
mywvwedding.com | 127