WV Weddings - Spring/Summer 2015

ove

SPRING/SUMMER 2015

L BLOOMS 60+ real weddings, with hundreds of out-of-the-box ideas!

HOUSE of FASHIONS

REBECCA DEVONO PHOTOGRAPHY

We treat your experience as if it were our own

Providing fashions for all of your wedding, tuxedo, prom, and formal needs.

121 daniel drive bridgeport, wv | 304.672.5490 | hofwv.com

SPRING/SUMMER 2015

volume 7, issue 1 published by New South Media, Inc. 709 Beechurst Ave., 14A, Morgantown, WV 26505 304.413.0104, mywvwedding.com

publisher Nikki Bowman, nikki@newsouthmediainc.com editor Laura Wilcox Rote, laura@newsouthmediainc.com art director Carla Witt Ford, carla@newsouthmediainc.com contributing editors Katie Griffith, katie@newsouthmediainc.com Pam Kasey, pam@newsouthmediainc.com writers Zack Harold, zack@newsouthmediainc.com Shay Maunz, shay@newsouthmediainc.com Mikenna Pierotti, mikenna@newsouthmediainc.com office & circulation manager Sarah Shaffer, sarah@newsouthmediainc.com web manager Katie Willard, katherine@newsouthmediainc.com interns Tessa Bonnstetter, Jordan Carter, Hope Hart contributor Rachel Coon advertising account executives Amanda Eskew, Christa Hamra, Season Martin wvweddings@newsouthmediainc.com advertising assistant Bekah Call, bekah@newsouthmediainc.com back issues Back issues may be purchased at mywvwedding.com or by calling 304.413.0104. editorial inquiries Unsolicited photos are not accepted. 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 Spring/Summer 2015

EDItor’S lEttEr

it’s always wedding season in the New South Media offices.

Someone is always getting engaged and, since we increased from publishing just one issue of WV Weddings to publishing two issues a year, our countless phone calls and emails are even more often about weddings. We see a lot of beautiful photos and, while there is no “wrong” way to tie the knot, this issue’s cover wedding stopped us in our tracks.

“Who is that?!” one of our contributing editors asked when she walked by potential covers scattered across our conference room table. “That looks like something out of Anthropologie, only better,” another colleague said. My favorite comment so far—“I can’t stop looking at her.”

It’s true. I’ve personally been working with WV Weddings since 2010 and I’ve never seen anything quite like the wedding of Katie Walz and Josh Holmes (page 40). Katie, a Lewisburg girl, met her husband-to-be at The Greenbrier. “It was hard not to notice her,” he says. We agree, though we must also say it’s hard not to notice the many incredible details and the venue captured so beautifully in this July wedding. It’s clear that a lot of planning—and a lot of heart—went into the Bohemian affair at Valley View Farm, from Katie’s floral crown to the dream catcher made by one of her best friends. I imagine we’ll see a lot more Bohemian weddings in future issues.

One thing we find ourselves saying again and again in this office is that we wish more couples would think outside the box. Everyone says, “We just want it to be fun.” Well, we want you to have fun, too.

What do you love? Show it off. Celebrate. Be bold. This is one of the rare times you’re encouraged (by many people, anyway) to pull out all the stops. Of course, that often requires a lot of help. Fortunately we know a lot of experts. Just check out our resource and venue guides in the back of the magazine for tons of ideas.

And having a well-planned, personal ceremony doesn’t require spending an inordinate amount of money. See our take on a simple, whimsical outdoor wedding with “Picnic Perfect” on page 32. We want all of our brides, grooms, and their loved ones to enjoy themselves. Embrace the excitement.

Have fun. Trust us—when you’re having a good time, it shows.

laura wilcox rote, Editor Follow us on

and

facebook.com/wvweddings pinterest.com/wvweddings 4 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

.

ConTEnTs 32 PIcNIc PERFEct

Get inspired to do your outdoor wedding differently with plenty of color, creativity, and charm.

40 EaRth laUGhS IN FloWERS

You won’t be able to look away from this beautiful Bohemian wedding in Lewisburg.

32

48 PlaN B

Not even a devastating fire could ruin these lovebirds’ wedding. They brought their backup plan to life on the big stage in Huntington.

54 GRavIty oF lovE

This sweet Wheeling-area couple says “I do” on a tree farm complete with an old farmhouse and barn.

48

62 WEddING oF thE aGES

Glitz and glamour are in full effect at this Charleston wedding at the state capitol.

40

68 WaNdERlUSt

A couple of travelers return to the bride’s home state for a stunning wedding overlooking the New River Gorge.

62

Love

S R NG/SUMMER 2015

BLOOMS 60+ real weddings, with hundreds of out of the box ideas!

54

68

cover photo Kathleen Walz and Joshua Holmes are wed in a beautiful, Bohemian ceremony at Valley View Farm in Lewisburg. Photo

by Pangtography

mywvwedding.com | 7

ConTEnTs 14 WEddING WoWS

Our favorites—from the most beautiful bouquets to the best cakes.

23 EdItoR’S NotEBooK

Dos, Don’ts, and so much more.

205

77 WEddING REGIStER

More than 60 couples announce their nuptials in the pages of our wedding register.

205 ENGaGEMENt aNNoUNcEMENtS

Find out who’s due to say “I Do” in our engagements section.

214 RESoURcE GUIdE

Explore the possibilities with these great options for caterers, florists, and bridal shops, among others.

220 vENUE GUIdE

Answer one of your biggest questions—where to tie the knot—with this list of amazing venues.

224 BRIdal REGIStER INdEX

Find your friends in our index.

77

23 8 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

14

contributors

The oberports

rachel coon

NESSA K photography

MARK WEBB photography

Emily and Bobby (The Oberports) are a married photography team based in Charleston. They approach weddings with the idea that there is a greater story to be found in every image.

Emily and Bobby are inspired by their diverse clientele, classic cinema, and traveling. During the last seven years they’ve photographed nearly 200 weddings together and they’ve both won international wedding photography awards (ISPWP, WPJA, Fearless). theoberports.com

Rachel Coon earned her master’s degree from West Virginia University while working for New South Media, Inc. as a writing intern turned associate editor.

For three years, she had the great fortune of living in the Mountain State and traveling extensively to discover its incredible people and places. She now lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her husband, Mark, a U.S. Air Force JAG officer, where she is associate editor for San Antonio Weddings magazine and freelances for Fort Collins Magazine.

Nessa Kessinger likes old globes and questionably bad indie films. She drinks an absurd amount of mint tea and makes silly videos occasionally. She adores art museums and dabbles on the ukulele. Nessa narrates the world using captivating light and a series of photos that tell the story about the everyday you. So, hello there, from Nessa. She has some photos she’d like to share with you. nessakphotography.com

Mark began his photography journey in 2006 as a freelancer for a local newspaper. After shooting his first wedding in 2007, he knew he’d found his passion. He now enjoys running a successful wedding and portrait studio in Huntington, offering family, newborn, senior, and commercial photography. His style is heavily influenced by both classic photojournalism and modern editorial photography, which is evident in the bright and vibrant style of photography that has become his trademark today. markwebbphoto.com

10 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

letters to the editor

Planning from China

Pangtography

Rebecca Kiger Fotografia

Pang moved to West Virginia in 2005 where she immediately fell in love with the Shenandoah Valley. A self-taught photographer, she started her photography career in 2009, specializing in lifestyle and wedding photography. She decided to take her career further and attended the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies in 2014, where she graduated with a concentration in documentary photography and multimedia. She is based in Shepherdstown and enjoys traveling, drinking coffee, and eating pizza. www.pangtography.com

When Rebecca is working as a wedding photographer, she enjoys combining skills in photojournalism, fashion, still life, portraiture, and landscape.

Developing this variety makes for strong visual storytelling.

Rebecca puts her greatest focus on capturing emotion, connection, and unique moments. These will be a source of meaning and memory for couples and families for generations to come. She is an award-winning photographer based in the Northern Panhandle. rebeccakiger.com

I’m planning a wedding while living abroad in Qingdao, China!

It is an understatement to say it completed my day to receive the latest copy of WV Weddings in my mailbox this morning! Funny how a magazine can make missing home and my fiancé a little easier! chelsea westfall, via email

Invaluable

I love your magazine! It was invaluable when I was planning my wedding—so many ideas and resources! ally conrad, via email 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 Take WV Weddings with you:

mywvwedding.com | 11

 JOIN US

Extravaganza FOR THE 4TH ANNUAL

March 12, 2016

oN

WVU Erickson Alumni Center Morgantown, WV Featuring keynote speaker

Sam Saboura from TLC’s Something Borrowed, Something New WV Weddings magazine cordially invites you to the state’s premier wedding event. Experience informative and inspiring sessions, an expo highlighting the state’s fi nest wedding vendors, a décor showcase, a delectable brunch with inspiring speakers, and great discounts and giveaways.

Attendee registration available online starting December 2015 ATT ENTION VENDORS If you are interested in participating in the Extravaganza as a vendor, please visit mywvwedding.com/extravaganza for details and to register.

Vendor registration available online starting November 2015.

Sponsorships available - contact Christa Hamra at christa@newsouthmediainc.com

UNVEILED rEbEcca kIGEr FotoGraFIa

Bridal Bliss

From the wedding of Justine Wilson & Chris Reed

Wedding Wows!

The staff of WV Weddings share favorites from this issue’s wedding submissions—from cover runners-up to favorite flowers to group bridal party portraits.

SPRING/SUMMER 2015

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Cover SPRING/SUMMER 2015

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FinALisTs

1. Kathleen Walz & Joshua Holmes, photographed by Pangtography 2. Elisabeth Isaacs & Nicholas Allen, photographed by Herrinton Weddings 3. Keri Hays & Patrick Snell, photographed by Rebecca Devono Photography 4. Kathleen Walz & Joshua Holmes, photographed

by Pangtography 5. Lynsey Wiseman & Jeff Cline, photographed by The Oberports 6. Jennie Spencer & Mike Wright, photographed by Melissa Perella Photography 7. Keri Hays & Patrick Snell, photographed

by Rebecca Devono Photography 8. Holly Brown & Corey Stinson, photographed by Kelli Carrico Photography 9. Alicia Ghiz & Russell Fox, photographed by Lavender Photography 10. Ashley Boothe & Zachary Barker, photographed by Kelli Carrico Photography

9 14 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

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romantic

rings

From top: Chloe Kamm & Nicholas Castleman, photographed by The Oberports; Kelly Bryant & Benjamin Dotson, photographed by Taylor Jones Photography mywvwedding.com | 15

wedding wows unveiled

CoupLE

photo

Krista Frye & Salvatore Cataldo, photographed by Meredith Dickens Photography

wedding

CAKES

from top Ashley Parsons & David Kahan, photographed

by JB gallery; Rebecca Saracco & Louis DeVincent, photographed by Rebecca Kiger Fotografia; Hilary Foster & Brent Moles, photographed by Nessa K Photography mywvwedding.com | 17

adorable

ATTENDANTS

ABOVE CLOCKWISE : Johanna Harman & James Rohrbaugh, photographed by Country Charm Photography; Caitlin Rexrode & Travis Persinger, photographed by Jess Martin Photography; Morgan Lilly & Joshua Treadway, photographed by Mike Winland Studios; Annie Pritchard & Matthew Kisling, photographed by White Heart Photography

guestbook

IDEAS

from left Jenna Harrison & Michael Winfrey, photographed by Amberlee Christey Photography; Lane Litz & Cameron Frecklington, photographed by The Oberports

18 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

DRESS

shot

Katrina Harper & Cody Bowers, photographed by Boekell Photography

FAVE

favor

Kathleen Walz & Joshua Holmes, photographed by Pangtography mywvwedding.com | 19

bridesmaid

dresses

from top Alicia Ghiz & Russell Fox, photographed by Lavender Photography; Katelyn Kirby & Matthew Hale, photographed by Allie Bennett Weddings; Keri Hays & Patrick Snell, photographed by Rebecca Devono Photography

20 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

unique

DETAIL

from top Lane Litz & Cameron Frecklington, photographed by The Oberports; Annie Pritchard & Matthew Kisling, photographed by White Heart Photography mywvwedding.com | 21

wedding wows unveiled

stunning

BOUQUETS

ABOVE Anne Harman & Lucas Greza, photographed by A. Ferguson Photography below Lauren Dillard & Steven Turner, photographed by Bella Grace Studios

bridal PArty portrait FROM TOP: Hilary Foster & Brent Moles, photographed by Nessa K Photography; Rebecca Saracco & Louis DeVincent, photographed by Rebecca Kiger Fotografia

22 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

The Editor’s

Brittany king & Matt Levitt by jack’s photography

——Ideas, Advice, and Inspiration ——

mywvwedding.com | 23

EDItor’S NotEbook UNvEIlEd

A Different Arrangement

This can-do style will be the center of attention on your reception tables.

Since 1923, Gillespie’s Flowers and Productions has been creating floral arrangements for discriminating couples. With a storefront on Main Street in White Sulphur Springs and another shop in The Greenbrier, they offer not only floral design but also event planning and design, graphic and sign design, and rentals— from tents to farm tables to fire pits to theatrical lighting. They source products from local growers and even fly flowers in from around the world.

Pick up any wedding magazine and you’ll quickly see that rustic-themed weddings continue to be very popular. Mason jars seem to be the go-to centerpiece, so we challenged the floral designers at Gillespie’s to create some “out-ofthe-vase” ideas using this trusted vessel. Here are some ideas they came up with.

french connection

Purple iris, goldenrod, and radishes make up this colorful display

mini terrarium

Varieties of sedum, moss, a halo of grapevine, and river pebbles, perhaps from your last hike along the river.

purple passion

Ornamental cabbage and river pebbles take center stage.

24 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

old-fashioned love

Cabbage roses, seeded eucalyptus, and hypericum berries with a lacy ribbon help set a garden party theme.

food for thought

Sunflowers and spurge accompany mini carrots in this sunny arrangement complete with a raffia tie. mywvwedding.com | 25

I SPY

ES & SWEE

T

create a hashtag on Instagram and encourage your guests to get engaged at the reception by providing each table with a list of items to photograph. Make sure your friends and family use the hashtag when they post photos and, while you’re on your honeymoon, you can scroll through all of the wild and wonderful shots.

A bubbly drink

A kiss

Tears of joy

A beautiful landscape

Best dancer

Something blue

Group shot of your table ♥ Someone striking a pose Flower girl twirling on the dance floor ♥ Something old best mani/pedi ♥ Five diamond rings ♥ the most stylish tie Selfie with a band member/Dj ♥ cutest member of the bridal party Guests toasting the bride and groom ♥ Someone who had too many bubbly drinks ♥ a behind-the-scenes look ♥ bride dancing with her besties ♥ Most creative photo of the centerpiece

26 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

paNGtoGraphy; thE obErportS; rEbEcca kIGEr FotoGraFIa; rEbEcca DEVoNo photoGraphy; NESSa k photoGraphy; braNDoN S. WarrEN photoGraphy

AK

S

C

4 14

Scavenger Hunt

editor’s notebook unveiled

The Art of Ink

A traditional southern skill is making its way up to the wild and wonderful.

erica johnson

written by Tessa Bonnstetter

easel? check. calligraphy pen? Check.

Sumi ink? Check. Way to both woo and treat your guests at your next special event?

Check, check. Calligraphist Jen Bischof has an artful and thoughtful way to make a lasting impression on your guests through her growing business, Margaret Madeleine Calligraphy, based in Charleston.

Jen, a former interior designer and elementary school teacher, was first exposed to calligraphy during her college years in Mississippi. “It’s a huge industry in the south. For weddings, formal parties, or any sort of event, it is highly recommended to hire a calligraphist,” she says. One day almost two years ago, Jen’s roommate came home from a beginner’s calligraphy class, and that is where her interest began. “She came back with the basic knowledge of calligraphy, so I asked her to teach me. I went out and bought a calligraphy bible and kit from Michaels so I could get started as soon as I could.”

Since then Jen has worked on her craft very carefully. She now orders her supplies from specialty shops, researches for hours to stay caught up on current calligraphy trends, and practices often.

Her first gig was for her father’s 60th birthday. Looking back, her work has come a long way. Now she’s done weddings with more than 400 guests, along with miscellaneous parties, place cards, and other items that call for special attention. Her wedding count is 19, and the opportunities keep coming. “I’m working on writing out a poem for my friend as a birthday gift to her husband. It’s a poem he wrote for her many years ago, and she wants to surprise him with it.” Jen says calligraphy is the perfect way to individualize any gesture.

“It’s art made especially for someone—no two pieces are alike. For special affairs you want your guests to feel unique and welcomed.

Calligraphy does just that.”

“It’s art made especially for someone—no two pieces are alike. For special affairs you want your guests to feel unique and welcomed.

Calligraphy does just that.” jen bischof

Jen says calligraphy is a vanishing art in most parts of the country, but it’s making a comeback. “You’d never think there are as many social media and Etsy accounts dedicated to calligraphy as there are. I’m constantly checking up on other people’s work so I can keep up with what’s new. When I look at other people’s work, it might sound silly, but I’ll think, ‘Wow. That’s an amazing way to write a capital P!’ And I mean that.

It inspires me. I am constantly learning and trying to better myself.”

Her clients find her through Etsy, Facebook, and Instagram, and also hear about her business by word of mouth. “Once I begin working on a project, I’ll send the bride or whoever I’m working with a picture of my work to make sure she likes what I’m doing. I think it’s important to always touch base and inform my clients where I am in the process. Knowing that the invitations for a wedding are one less thing

for the couple to worry about makes me feel so good that I can relieve them of this task.”

She pays special attention to common trends: colored envelopes with white ink, black envelopes with gold or silver ink, different pairings of paper with envelopes, and even wooden signs reading, “Here comes your bride” carried by ring bearers. Calligraphy has become more modern and less stuffy. Jen says it can satisfy anyone’s taste.

In the future Jen hopes to expand her business and perhaps even teach introductory calligraphy classes. “People need to be more conscious of this beautiful art and all of the possibilities it holds. It’s really the perfect added touch to any scenario and shows a sincere gesture. There is a huge sense of accomplishment when I tie a ribbon on the final stack of invitations, step back, and see my final product.” mmcalligraphy.com mywvwedding.com | 27

To choose or not to choose?

Does your groom need a little help deciding who to choose as groomsmen? Take this quiz to help him in his selection process.

Did you win a cornhole tournament together? +5 points

Will he hit on your mother?

–20 points

Will he get sloppy drunk?

–5 points

Will he invite strippers to bachelor party?

–10 points

Does he send you a gift on your birthday? +10 points

Do you share DNA? +10 points

Can he break dance? +5 points

Does he call you on your birthday? +5 points

Has he dated any of the bridesmaids?

–5 points for each

Most popular days to become engaged?

ACCORDING TO WEDDINGWIRE, the two most popular months for weddings are April and October, followed by June and September. Least popular months are January, February, and December.

123 28 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

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4

editor’s notebook unveiled

❶

❸

❺

Avant-Garde attire Surprise them all with a remarkable, unforgettable gown.

1. Costarellos, embroidered silk organza dress with nude lining from Bridal Collection 2015, sales@costarellos.gr 2. Costarellos, appliqué French Guipure lace dress with nude silk organza lining from Bridal Collection 2015, sales@costarellos.gr 3. Lakum, sleeveless floor-length gown of Japanese cotton lace with dramatic open back and full-length train from Bridal Collection Fall 2015, $3,200 4. Lakum, sleeveless full-length gown made from silk charmeuse and quilted fabric from Bridal Collection Fall 2015, $6,500 5. Mira Zwillinger, long-sleeve lace Guipure dress with lace appliques and sheer bodice from Bridal Collection 2014–2015

30 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

courtesy of costarellos; courtesy of lakum; Guy Kushi and Yariv Fine

❷

❹

PICNIC

PERFECT

Throw caution—and those four-inch heels—to the wind and plan a laid-back, outdoor reception that’s fun for all ages. written by Mikenna Pierotti

photographed by Carla Witt Ford and Elizabeth Roth

THERE’S SOMETHING

superbly romantic about picnics. Maybe it’s the anticipation of a day spent without walls in fresh air and sunshine puddles.

But the idea of a comfy blanket on the grass and some wine and cheese makes us want to break into song—Julie Andrews-style.

You, too? Well, look no further. Your picnic wedding reception inspiration has arrived.

➵

THE IDEA

Wedding receptions these days often have to wear a lot of hats—ceremony space, photography backdrop, playground, and entertainment venue. Best for events with 50 guests or fewer, a picnic wedding could be played up and shabby chic with chandeliers hanging from low-hanging tree branches, real wooden tables, and antique picnic basket décor, or it could be block party chill with vintage coolers, quilts on the lawn, and lots of games.

For our small outdoor reception we wanted to keep it laid-back and DIY yet stylish and classy, more 1950s backyard barbecue than down-home pig roast. We chose bright colors, soft fabrics, fun cocktails, and easy finger foods to keep our guests mingling and lounging all day.

THE LOOK

Everyone loves vintage, but feel free to mix and match for this relaxed shindig. We paired bright colors with hand-me-down quilts, and antique board games with Frisbee and croquet.

Whether you’re bringing in tables or dining a la grass, picnic baskets stuffed with wine, flowers, snacks, and small games make perfect, interactive centerpieces. Or use tote bags in place of picnic baskets and give them away as gifts.

Scour your local yard and garage sales for funky coolers, wooden milk crates, and old glassware. Use your favorites as décor—fill coolers with sparkling water, soda, and beer, hang pretty bottles filled with wildflowers from trees or roof overhangs—and use the rest to create different heights to display food and drinks.

Arrange many little places for guests to sit and talk but let them choose their preference. If you have older guests, provide a few tables with chairs. For kids, set up blankets with games and coloring books. Use umbrellas and trees to create shady spots. Set up a head table (or head blanket) for the wedding party on a rise overlooking everything or right in the heart of the party.

Use the landscape and any available structures to your advantage. If you have a pavilion or cabin, use the shade it creates to protect food, electronics, and musicians.

34 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

THE SPOT

Your outdoor wedding is only as good as your location. While mom and dad’s backyard might seem ideal, lack of bathrooms, inclement weather, and general cleanup could be more of a headache than the cost savings are worth, especially when you consider the plethora of parks West Virginia has to offer.

That’s why we chose Camp Muffly, the heart of Monongalia County’s 4-H camp programs since the 1920s. Southeast of Morgantown off of Interstate 68 along 4-H Camp Road, Camp Muffly is a cool green oasis outside the city, offering pavilion rentals, a historic log cabin, pool rentals, and a dining hall. The camp is also a popular local wedding spot.

THE FOOD

In an outdoor setting, a buffet-style experience is par for the course. We wanted guests to be able to take food back to their seats and feel comfortable carrying it around, so we added colorful Frisbees as plate holders. Paired with recycled, compostable paper plates, Frisbees can do triple duty as gifts and an afterdinner activity, too.

Rather than an elaborate spread, we chose easy to transport, tasty finger foods.

Build-your-own sliders, gourmet cheese and crackers, sliced veggies and dips, grilled corn on the cob, popsicles, and minipies for dessert were delicious and fit our theme perfectly.

ALL-NATURAL BUG REPELLENT

Keep stinging and biting bugs at bay with this kidand pet-friendly bug repellent. Cut lemons in half and stick cloves into the skin and inner flesh of the citrus. Place halved lemons in pretty bowls, plates, or cups near meats and salads that often attract bugs. Put in place at least 30 minutes before setting out food to deter pests.

BONUS: Smells amazing and is chemical-free.

BALLOON ICE CUBES

Keep wine bottles and soda chilled all day by filling up several dozen colorful water balloons and freezing them overnight.

Display in pretty bowls or a vintage cooler.

BONUS: Once they’ve melted, they make great ammunition. Look out!

DIY

✂

THE GEAR

✂

EASY PLACEMAT PILLOWS Pillows can be pricey. But if you want guests to feel comfortable and you want to add a little color and pizzazz to your outdoor party, cushions of some kind are a must. This DIY version is quick, painless, and even sewing machine-free.

For one pillow you’ll need: 1. Two placemats that match your décor or a double-lined placemat that’s stitched around the edges 2. Plastic grocery bags 3. Fabric glue (if you choose unstitched) 4. Fabric waterproofing spray 36 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

Directions: Wash placemats and dry flat. Once dry, if using two placemats, stitch or fabric glue the edges, leaving a 6-inch opening on one side to stuff.

Press flat and wait 30 minutes or follow fabric glue directions until completely dry.

If using a double-lined placemat, using a seam ripper, make a 6-inch opening along one edge.

Ball up plastic bags (to fit them into the opening) and stuff the pillow to your desired fluffiness. Finish gluing and clothespin opening until dry and secure.

BONUS: Make your pillows water (and spill) resistant with Rust-Oleum NeverWet Outdoor Fabric Spray.

THE ENTERTAINMENT

The key to any outdoor party is participation— even if it’s just in some relaxed conversation.

Games like croquet, lawn bowling, cornhole, Frisbee, and badminton are relatively easy to set up and fun for all ages. Guests who’d rather lounge can enjoy board and card games. Ask your friend or friends who play instruments like the guitar to bring them along for a jam session. Just keep in mind any limitations on noise or electricity usage.

OUTDOOR SCRABBLE

FIREFLY LANTERNS

As the light wanes, gather up the kids and the young at heart to see who can catch the most fireflies. All you’ll need to make bugsafe, temporary firefly housing is a few wide-mouth Mason jars with screw bands, cheesecloth with small holes poked in it, and dry grass. Tie closed with string and set your buggy friends free for a light show at the end of the night.

Download a fun Scrabble font for free online and print your letters on cardstock. Then spray paint or mark out your game’s boundaries and divvy up the letters according to the standard rules. Set up letter holders on each side with twine and a few sticks and have a noholds-barred contest of vocabulary might.

BONUS: Using thin pieces of craft wood, a wood stain pen, and some spray-on wood sealer, you can make your scrabble game into a new family heirloom.

THE DOS AND DON’TS

➸ Do make a backup plan for bad weather. Have a tent on standby or set one up in advance for guests to escape the sun. ➸ Do think about your view. Will you be gazing at green hills or a busy public pool? ➸ Do spend some time at the site during the exact hours you plan to be there and in different weather. ➸ Does a fast-moving rainstorm form a river through your intended buffet line? Is high noon too buginfested to breathe? (Note: Sometimes this can’t be avoided. Try giving out bug spray and sun screen as extra gifts.) ➸ Don’t forget the ice. Lots and lots of ice. You can’t have enough when you’re miles from a refrigerator. ➸ Don’t forget your older guests. If Aunt Peggy isn’t crazy about dining among the dandelions, set up a few tables under trees or tents and let guests choose if they’d prefer picnic or table seating when they RSVP. ➸ Don’t forget to check ordinances and laws related to any site you rent or reserve. Many parks have rules against alcohol and noise.

38 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

CAMP MUFFLY

This isn’t your typical summer camp. In fact, though Camp Muffly has played host to many a Monongalia County 4-H camp since the 1920s, the site isn’t just for kids. Local clubs, businesses, and organizations frequently seek it out for its quiet, green spaces, tall shade trees, and convenient location off of I-68 along 4-H Camp Road near Morgantown. Visitors can rent a pavilion or the camp’s pool facilities. A historic log cabin, fields of wildflowers, stone walkways, and sun dappled groves provide perfect photo opportunities for outdoor weddings and big events like the annual West Virginia Wine and Jazz Festival held at the camp each year. And Muffly’s dining facility is the ideal spot for meal prep or catered dinners with plenty of light and space for dancing and mingling with its high ceilings, big windows, and neutral color palette just begging to be the backdrop to nearly any themed event.

Laughs

EArTH

in FLoWErs

Inspired by Emerson’s poetic words, this Bohemian wedding celebrates one couple’s natural, vintage style.

Rachel Coon photographed by Pangtography written by

K

katie walz wouldn’t say she was the kind of girl who’d always dreamed of her wedding day—at least, not until Josh Holmes proposed. Then she kind of became that girl. “I live by the Emerson quote ‘Earth laughs in flowers,’” she says. “I’ve always loved rich, bright colors and the timelessness of roses, and I also wanted to incorporate the flowers and herbs I use in my organic skincare products”—a business she runs on the side when she’s not serving as assistant winemaker at Leavenworth’s Boudreaux Cellars in Washington state. Eucalyptus and jasmine, orange and red roses and ranunculus, rosemary and red astilbe, white anemone and feathers—their wedding became the floral extravaganza she’d always dreamed of. “I was overwhelmed with how beautifully everything came together,” Katie says. “It was a collective effort of everyone’s unique individual style, and it worked.”

Katie and Josh were destined for love. They met at The Greenbrier, near her hometown of Lewisburg. She was a Shepherd University student home for the summer working as a beverage cart attendant on the golf course, and Josh was a Texas native who’d just become executive chef at pro golfer Sam Snead’s restaurant at the golf club. “It was hard not to notice her—she’s so full of life,” Josh says.

“I remember the first time meeting her, we ended up talking for over an hour—not much work happened that day.

The feeling I had in my heart and stomach was something I had never felt before. You could say I knew right away.” The couple hit it off over a shared love of food and wine, and a year later in May 2013, Katie finished college, Josh got a job as executive chef at Sleeping Lady, a mountain resort in Leavenworth, and the lovebirds headed to Washington state.

dance upon the mountains

“Our style is vintage Bohemian. We like simple and naturalistic, and I’m really into older things. I love vintage,” Katie says. Simple, natural, Bohemian, and vintage—there’s no better definition for this couple’s wedding. “We found a lot of the wedding décor in thrift and antique stores, we had very Bohemian-style attire, and the way the wedding went—at the barn, in the country—it was just so natural.” The vintage feel began with the proposal, a moment that started in a hidden cobblestone alley in Seattle’s Pike Place Market and ended on a rooftop with champagne overlooking Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands at sunset.

They were wandering the market one day when Josh pulled Katie into a funky antique store and headed for a glass case full of wedding rings dating back to the 1800s.

“He was overly enthusiastic to go in, which I was alarmed by because I’m obsessed with antique shopping and usu42 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

Katie Walz and Josh Holmes married at Valley View Farm in Lewisburg.

The couple incorporated rich, bright colors, and a Bohemian flair was

evident in everything from the bride and her bridesmaids’ dresses to the dream catcher made for the ceremony by a friend. Vintage style was

incorporated from the very beginning, when Josh proposed with an old ring from a funky antique store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market.

Katie wore an ivory, openback dress from Free People and donned her mother’s pearl earrings, a turquoise ring, and her

grandmother’s pearls. Her wow factor?

A floral crown created by Gillespie’s. Her bridesmaids were dressed in simple taupe

sundresses, while Josh stood out in a classic linen button-down shirt, silk floral bow tie, and leather suspenders.

mywvwedding.com | 43

A beautiful “naked” cake was designed for the occasion by Josh’s best man, also the head pastry chef of The Greenbrier.

The celebration

continued after the ceremony and reception as guests relaxed around the fire in Adirondack chairs with colorful blankets.

44 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

Virginia and spent a month planning, searching, antiquing, and taking care of all the details. When her mom discovered Valley View Farm in Lewisburg, Katie and Josh knew they’d found their venue. “I spent a lot of time driving Route 60 when I was growing up,” Katie says. “It’s the drive you do whenever you have anyone in town who hasn’t been to Greenbrier County.” It was a no-brainer, choosing the classic West Virginia farm on picturesque country roads with a beautiful pond, an old farmhouse, and a red barn.

into the mystic

ally Josh would be deterring me, but he insisted,” Katie remembers. Katie thought it was playful when Josh asked if she wanted to try on rings, but she was game.

“These were 100-year-old, gorgeous rings that made me feel like we were in another century.” Several caught her eye and she tried a few on, but it was the very first one they loved most—a 1942 solitaire diamond set on a simple yet classic band. He asked if she wanted to buy it, and the ring never left her finger.

When it came time for planning, the couple already knew where they’d get married. “We’ve moved around, but we always talk about how West Virginia is such a magical place—we didn’t want to get married anywhere else,” the bride says. They dreamed of a big celebration on a farm in the mountains surrounded by family and friends. In winter 2013 Katie traveled home to West

Despite miserable weather the week of the wedding, June 7, 2014, dawned with the kind of weather brides and grooms dream of. As Katie got ready at her mom’s house, a friend of the bride who’d flown out from Washington and works as a wedding coordinator helped organize everything. “The day was a lot more comfortable than I’d imagined it would be. I was shocked at how unstressful it was,” Katie says. She wanted things to be simple and stayed true to her Bohemian style with an ivory, openback, Mexican-style wedding dress. Her love of vintage was apparent as she donned her mother’s pearl earrings, a turquoise ring, and her grandmother’s pearls, an heirloom brought back from Japan by Katie’s great-uncle David during World War II. Her antique Italian leather cream boots seemed made for the dress and, she says, “My floral crown was just another lovely Bohemian element and an easy decision for our outdoor wedding on the farm.”

Josh and Katie wanted everything to be simple, classic, and Bohemian—so Katie found natural, taupe sundresses for the bridesmaids, and Josh’s look perfectly complemented his bride’s with his classic Irish linen navy blue button-down shirt, camel cotton twill pants, silk floral bow tie, brown leather suspenders, and cowboy boots. mywvwedding.com | 45

Guests took their seats on a brilliant hilltop overlooking the couple’s beloved West Virginia mountains, while Katie’s uncle, Jeff Harris, and local friend, Ben Hunt, played Neil Young’s “Harvest Moon” on the guitar and drums. Josh stood waiting on an old Persian rug when he finally saw his bride for the first time. “As she was walking across the field, it’s hard to explain how I felt—a combination of excitement, anticipation, and calm.

I couldn’t have imagined being any happier.” Katie walked down the aisle to Van Morrison’s “Sweet Thing.”

The ceremony began as the couple stood framed by a rustic iron arch the bride and her family designed with lace, flowers, and feathers. In the background hung one of the most unique details of the day. “One of my best friends made this amazing dream catcher especially for the wedding and it definitely added a Bohemian element,” says Katie, whose friend Kristen Skyler, designer and owner of Indibliss Designs, made the statement piece for the big day. Kristen incorporated many meaningful elements into the design, from local timbers and Navajo churro wool to turkey feathers from a Cherokee reservation, turquoise, and one of the main features—rose quartz to represent unconditional love.

With the help of their officiant Jade Flamenco, Josh and Katie exchanged vows they’d written themselves. “Jade was one of the first friends I ever met at Shepherd University. He was always writing and reading and he wrote beautiful poetry, and I just thought, ‘He has to do our ceremony.’ He wrote the entire ceremony and it was really beautiful,” Katie says. Lavender fell all around them as guests showered the newlyweds to the sound of Van Morrison’s “Into the Mystic.”

drink the wild air

Wine flowed, a fire blazed, and the barn sparkled with carefree whimsy—star lanterns dangling from the rafters and white tapers glowing in brass candlesticks. “We had a lot of lace hanging throughout the barn that my grandmother crocheted,” Katie says.

The bride’s grandmother also crocheted vintage-style tablecloths and doilies for the affair. Vintage floral china adorned each place setting, and guests dined on barbecue and wine Katie selected.

“I only had two simple requests,” Josh says. “I wanted a cornhole board out in the field and a really nice bottle of scotch on hand.”

He got his wish. The celebration continued as guests hung out in Adirondack chairs with brightly colored blankets, cozied up beside the fire pit out, or played cornhole.

Whimsy and fun abounded but tradition was not lost on the bride and groom. “It was really important to me that we do all the dances,” Katie says. “I danced with my dad to an old Otis Redding song, which is our favorite, and then my 95-year-old grandfather was able to be there and I danced with him, which was really special.” For Josh, that was an important element of the day. “One of my favorite memories was spending time with Katie’s grandfather, Poppo,” he says. When it came time for the newlyweds to share their first dance, Katie and Josh decided to lighten the mood. “We danced to ‘A Million Years’

by Alexander—we wanted something fun and whimsical, so we were goofy with it, twirling and laughing,” Katie says.

When it came time for cake, Josh and Katie cut into the four-tier confection designed and made by Jean-Francois Suteau, Josh’s best man and head pastry chef at The Greenbrier. “It was really special that he could do the cake for us,” Katie says. “And it was cool because he’s won all of these baking competitions. We

gave him the reins because it’s what he’s good at.” She loved the look of the “naked” cake and the sugar and pastillage cake topper—an abstract bride and groom with a top hat that was a surprise from Jean-Francois. “There were roses all over the cake, and it was placed on this beautiful vintage sterling silver stand on top of an old whiskey barrel from a local distillery.”

The day was perfect, to say the least, as friends and family from as far as Brazil filled the farm. Sparklers lit up the night as everyone lined the path for a bright send-off and watched as Katie and Josh climbed into a 1965 turquoise and ivory Oldsmobile. “It was sad because it was such a wonderful night and we didn’t want to leave our friends and family, but we were so excited to get into that vintage car. It felt like we were in a black-and-white movie,” Katie says. The couple headed to their cottage at The Greenbrier and, as they rode around the resort, everything clicked. “It felt like this classic moment,” she says. “The Greenbrier is timeless, and with the significance of us meeting there, it felt like we’d come full circle. We wouldn’t have stayed anywhere else.” mywvwedding.com | 47

B PLAN

Nothing could stop this Huntington couple from celebrating in style.

Shay Maunz photographed by Mark Webb Photography written by

L

lacie pierson and bud shadd have been together for more than seven years, but they still haven’t perfected the way they tell the story of the time they first met. Frankly, it was kind of ho hum. There was no meet-cute—no spilled coffee, no dropped books, no immediate clashing of their personalities to serve as a charming precursor to their love story. Lacie and Bud’s story is more straightforward. It was 2007. They were both students at Marshall University—Lacie was working toward a degree in journalism and Bud toward his MBA. One night they both ended up in the same place at the same time. “We just met at a party with that friend,” Lacie says. “It wasn’t any big to-do.”

When Lacie and Bud talk about that party, they don’t say they were swept off their feet, or felt butterflies, or saw fireworks. But something must have happened, because pretty soon Lacie and Bud started spending more time together, and before long they were dating. “A big joke in our relationship is that we decided to officially date during a ski trip,” Lacie says. “It was a three-day trip and at some point we had a conversation and decided to date—but we don’t really know what day that was. So we don’t even know when we started dating.”

Still, they dated for a long time—“It feels like my whole life,” Lacie says. But it wasn’t until 2012, when they’d both finished school at Marshall and found work in Huntington—Lacie as a newspaper reporter, Bud as a financial analyst—and started living together, that they started to think about getting married.

50 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

the proposal

Bud isn’t one for public displays of affection, especially extravagant ones, so he decided to propose to Lacie in the privacy of their home. But he also wanted the proposal to be special, marked by some surprising and sweet gesture—so he decided to cook. He told Lacie he wanted to make a nice dinner for her at home and got to work on the meal, a pot roast. Why pot roast? “Honestly, I wanted something that would take all day to do, so she would know I put time into it,” Bud says. He wanted her to know that he cared enough about the proposal to nurse a cut of meat all day for the occasion. Lacie chimes in when he says this. “Aw,” she says. “I didn’t even know that.” So the effort did pay off, if a little late.

As soon as Lacie walked in the door that night she knew something was going on. “I came home from work and he had rearranged the furniture in the dining room to be really special,” she says. Plus there was the fact that he had volunteered to cook a nice meal at all. “I love Bud, but that’s really out of character for him,” she says. “I kind of knew something was up.” They sat down in the dining room and chatted about the day over their roast—Bud was visibly nervous the entire meal, Lacie says. But then, as the meal came to a close, Bud said something to try to throw Lacie off the scent. “He said, ‘Oh, I found this thing in the driveway, let me get it to show to you,’” Lacie laughs. “And then he went

The bride says planner Belle Manjong of B.Belle Events made her wedding dreams come true, from

glamorous table settings at the Keith-Albee Performing Arts Center to the perfect flowers.

Even the bride’s ring was a vintagestyle beauty. Cakes

by Appointment created the stunning cake.

Lacie’s dress was covered in crystals and beaded

embroidery, and Bud stood out in a black velvet bow tie.

the things that would best describe what my taste was or what my aesthetic would be.” Together they settled on a rich color palette that included shades of fuchsia and magenta, and a sophisticated, uptown vibe. Bud wore a black tuxedo with a black velvet bow tie and loafers.

Lacie wore a backless sheath dress that was covered in crystals and beaded embroidery. For the venue, they settled on an event space in the historic Morris building in downtown Huntington—a simple, lovely space they thought would be the perfect blank canvas for their wedding day. “It had a little bar and a lot of molding that was original to the building,” Lacie says. “We thought it would be this nice, fairly simple space for a wedding.”

the plans, revised

into the other room and got the ring. You could tell he was trying really hard—it was really sweet.”

The ring was an art deco piece from the 1930s that Bud found in an antique shop in Florida—after a lot of planning and strategizing. He spent months leading up to the proposal scouring antique shops and the internet for rings that reminded him of Lacie—“She’s dragged me to enough antique stores that I kind of know her taste,” he says—and occasionally sent her photos of standouts to get her opinion. Like the financial analyst he is, he even made a spreadsheet to catalogue his options. “It was like that pot roast—I wanted her to know that I put a lot of time and thought into it,” Bud says. And it worked. “He really hit the nail on the head,” Lacie says. “A lot of people say, ‘That ring is so you.’

And when I hear that I think that is such a compliment to Bud, to how well he understands me and how thoughtful he was.”

the plans

They enlisted the help of Belle Manjong, event planner at B.Belle Events in Charleston. Both Lacie and Bud work a lot and they didn’t want to squander the little time they had together planning for a wedding, so they went to Belle for help. “She was just like the sun, the moon, and the stars for us,” Lacie says. “We couldn’t have done it without her.”

Lacie didn’t have anything specific in mind for her wedding—she hadn’t spent her girlhood dreaming of the color palette she’d use one day or deciding on the flowers she’d like for the bouquets. She’d thought about her wedding, sure, but when Lacie dreamed of that day the images were all in soft focus. “I always thought about my wedding more in terms of how I wanted people to feel,” she says. “I wanted people to feel like this was a celebration of not just Bud and I coming together, but of them coming together and all of us celebrating each other.”

With that in mind, she sat down with Belle for her first consultation.

“I didn’t really have any pictures or anything to show her, so I brought her a ton of jewelry—all my favorite pieces,” Lacie says. “I felt like those were 52 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

Three weeks before their wedding day Bud and Lacie were at home, getting ready to go to brunch downtown. That’s when Lacie logged onto Twitter and got the news: The Morris building was on fire.

Two popular Huntington restaurants housed in that building were closed, a handful of tenants who lived in apartments there were displaced—and Lacie and Bud had to find a new wedding venue.

“I did panic a little,” Lacie says. “But in the grand scheme of things it was OK for us, compared to the people who lived in that building or had businesses there. For them it was a tragedy, for us it was just a minor inconvenience.”

This time they decided on the grand, historic Keith-Albee theater downtown. They’d considered that space when they were looking at venues the first time around and actually put a hold on it for their wedding day months before. “We lucked out, because with the stress of things we had just never called them to take it off hold,” Lacie says.

“When we asked about it they thought at first that somebody else had reserved it for that day—but then it turned out to be us.”

the day

The Keith-Albee is essentially the opposite of a simple little event space above a restaurant. It’s a large, historic, grandiose space that was built in the 1920s to give moviegoers a sumptuous place to escape from their everyday lives—it was sometimes called a house of splendor.

And even though it wasn’t what they’d originally planned on, Lacie and Bud were also taken in by the wonder of the Keith-Albee on their wedding day. Somehow, miraculously, almost everything Lacie and Bud had already chosen for their wedding would still work in the new space—they only had to find new table linens.

In the end, it didn’t matter anyway. After all, Lacie hadn’t spent her childhood thinking about the flowers or cake or linens at her wedding—she just wanted people to have fun. And they did. Bud remembers how thrilling it was to see all the disparate people who had played important roles in his life come together for one night.

“It was so bizarre to see my aunt or my grandmother dancing with my friend from high school,” he says. “It’s just all these people who wouldn’t normally be in a room together. That’s pretty cool.”

Lacie was touched that so many people made it there at all—in the end nearly 180 friends and family members were there. “I cannot explain how good it felt,” Lacie says. “You just don’t know how much people care until you get into a jam. And what are wedding days but one jam after another?”

Gravity of LOVE

This fun couple throws a chic barn wedding with rustic flair and a whole lot of heart.

written by

Mikenna Pierotti • photographed by Rebecca Kiger Fotografia

the leap

J

justine wilson and chris reed could have ended up like ships passing in the night. They were born in the same city, in the same hospital, but they grew up on opposite sides of Ohio. Although Justine’s family bounced around from Cincinnati to St. Clairsville, right across the river from Wheeling, where Justine attended high school, Chris spent his childhood in Oxford, Ohio. The two didn’t connect until their freshman year of college at Miami University in Ohio.

“Chris and I ended up in the same dorm. I tried desperately to hook him up with one of my best friends, but he was not having it,” Justine says. The two still laugh about it. “He was handsome and charismatic. His dorm was definitely the place to hang out. I must have liked him even then if I thought he was good enough for my best friend.”

Chris knew what he wanted right away. “I was instantly attracted to her, but she was only trying to hook me up with her best friend. I was trying to figure out how to not make that work and still have a chance with her,” he says. “I always found myself gravitating toward her, ending up at the same places with her, doing the same things, and wanted to continue doing that. Eventually we decided we needed to make it official.”

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Through college, graduation, and moving to Chicago, the two remained a unit. They dated almost 10 years before Chris decided it was time to make the leap in 2013. Justine left for a trip to Columbus with friends and family and Chris saw his moment. He drove down from Chicago with friends, mapped out his plan, and surprised her in the hotel lobby. She thought she was waiting to go on a wine tasting with friends. “I don’t think I’ve ever been so surprised as when he walked into the hotel lobby. But I immediately knew what was going on,” she says. “Our relationship had really gotten to that point. It was just a matter of time.”

Chris took Justine for a walk along the Scioto Mile in Columbus. “It was a 15-minute walk with both of us knowing what was coming but being extremely anxious about what was coming,” Chris says. “I sat her down at a little table set with her favorite flowers, we talked for a bit, and then I got down on one knee.” For Justine, the day was perfect even after she said yes. “After he proposed I thought that would be it, but no. We went somewhere for a glass of champagne and dinner with all my best friends and my mom. We went to a bar and there were more of our friends from Chicago, St. Louis, and Cincinnati there. It just couldn’t have got any better. I still don’t know how he pulled it off.”

big plans

Chris and Justine threw themselves into wedding prep. “We were planning that night by the time we got back to the hotel,” Chris says. The couple knew they wanted something rustic but classy, chic but laid-back. When they found Feisley Tree Farms in Belmont, Ohio, a 160-year-old farmhouse and 200-year-old barn surrounded by acres of fragrant uncut pine and spruce, they knew it was perfect. “The landscape was just beautiful with rolling hills that seem to go on and on forever—endless Christmas trees,” Chris says. The two chose the old barn as their ceremony space and added a tent for the reception.

Venue set, Justine and Chris, with the help of Theresa Feisley of Feisley Tree Farms, began collecting just the right details to amplify the feel of this rustic chic wedding—starting with Justine’s dress. “My mom came up and we went all over Chicago looking at dresses,” she says. Although she ended up purchasing a dress at Nordstrom, it still didn’t feel like the dress. The gown she ultimately fell in love with was blush in color with a strapless silhouette and lace detail that she found at David’s Bridal just in time for the wedding. “It was perfect for the venue,” she says.

She carried a bouquet of spring flowers wrapped with Chris’ grandmother’s cameo necklace—a gift from his grandfather.

Justine found her dream dress at nearly the last minute. She carried a bouquet of spring flowers

wrapped with the groom’s grandmother’s cameo necklace.

The tree farm where they

married also had a 160-year-old farmhouse and a 200-year-old barn.

mywvwedding.com | 57

Justine and Chris exchanged vows in the old barn. Fresh flowers, a rustic mantel, and an acoustic trio added

58 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

to the intimacy of the event, while a relaxed, outdoor picnic vibe carried over into the reception. One of

Chris’ favorite parts of the wedding was in the preparation— making limoncello.

The reception was full of life with vibrant floral arrangements created by Bellisima Florist.

rewriting the script

A wedding ceremony in a barn can fall anywhere on the spectrum—from complete country with hay bales and sunflowers to elegant and chic with chandeliers and pearls.

Justine and Chris wanted something middle of the road.

“There were times when we would fall too far one way or another and have to pull back. We wanted it to be a classy wedding and have that feel but still be relaxed enough for everyone to have a good time,” Justine says.

Fresh flowers, a rustic old mantel, an acoustic trio, and afternoon light slanting in through gaps in 200-year-old barn wood added to the intimate beauty of the event. And even with a storm raging outside, the ceremony, officiated by a family friend, was perfect. “The really cool part was when we walked out of the barn, the sun came out. It was still foggy but bright and beautiful at the same time,” Chris says. “Then as we started taking pictures we saw a rainbow. Then a second rainbow shows up. It looks fake, but it actually happened.”

signed, sealed, delivered

From the barn the party moved to a spacious white tent.

Guests sat at tables decorated with garden-like floral arrangements by Bellisima Florist. Even the head table, set with a piece of driftwood and decorated with moss and bright blooms, seemed cut right out of the landscape.

60 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

Barbecue chicken, ribs, coleslaw, cornbread, muffins, and plates of freshly made potato chips satiated the party’s hunger and added to the relaxed, outdoor picnic vibe.

Dessert was a simple yet delicious cake and a table of the couple’s favorite desserts in mini form. The groom even made his own homemade limoncello just for the wedding, which provided not only tart refreshment but also fun memories. “We spent one night in January peeling lemons the entire night, bags and bags of lemons, surrounded by bottles of vodka,” Justine says. “We let it sit until the wedding. He was very proud and people loved it.”

One part sweet moments, one part picture-perfect images, Chris and Justine look back on their wedding with the same laughter and tears they shared that day. From the love notes they wrote each other the night before to the final Stevie Wonder song, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” that signaled the ceremony’s end and the start of a new life— each memory is just as poignant as the day it was formed.

Justine says those memories will stick with them because of the people they shared them with. “It’s a random thought, but I still remember it. The moment we were coming back from taking photos and there was the rainbow behind us.

All our friends had spilled out of the tent to tell us about it and I just looked around and thought, ‘Oh my gosh, everyone we love is here.’”

Wedding

of the AGES

A timeless wedding in Charleston is perfect for this time-tested relationship.

written by

Zack Harold • photographed by Nessa K Photography

L

let’s say you have a time machine, and you’re in the mood to go somewhere new. You close your eyes, turn some dials, and let the machine drift wherever it chooses. Stepping outside, you find yourself surrounded by marble columns, black tuxedos, black evening gowns, and one beaming young lady arrayed in a billowing white dress.

It’s a wedding, obviously. But where? When? You’d be forgiven for mistaking the bride and groom for a power couple from the Golden Age of Hollywood, forgotten contemporaries of Tracy and Hepburn or Bogart and Bacall. Or you might suppose the young man and lady were members of Kennedy’s court at Camelot, or royal relatives from the early days of Charles and Diana’s reign as prince and princess.

Then someone in the crowd whips out an iPhone to snap a photo, and you begin to get your bearings. It’s May 2014 in Charleston, in the halls of the state capitol building. You, pretend time-traveler, have landed at the wedding of Hilary Foster and Brent Moles.

When they began planning their wedding, Hilary decided right away she wanted a timeless affair—something classy and classic that wouldn’t make her cringe when she thumbed through the photos in a few decades. Something that would last. She and Brent had already proved their relationship would stand the test of time.

waiting, together

Although they each attended Riverside High School in Belle, Hilary and Brent didn’t really meet until a church youth group trip to Winterplace Ski Resort in 2002. Neither one attended the church; they were both just tagging along with friends. “I used my skills to get her screen name,” Brent says. They started chatting online and before long, Brent asked Hilary to the local bowling alley. Neither remembers 64 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

Hilary and Brent had a classic, timeless, black and white wedding in Charleston, marrying at the West Virginia Capitol and

continuing the celebration at Embassy Suites in downtown Charleston. She looked stunning in the Maggie Sottero gown she found at

Nandel’s Bridal in Eleanor.

She never wanted to take the dress with its layered tulle skirt off.

The beautiful ceremony in the capitol building was short and sweet.

Simple ivory flowers set the classic tone, and a violinist and cellist played music.

mywvwedding.com | 65

Winter Floral and Antiques created beautiful floral centerpieces for the Charleston wedding.

The reception was

decorated with black candelabras, Manzanita trees, crystals, and candlelight.

66 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

the final score, but Hilary did not win that night. “I went there to impress her. It was a well-thought-out date,” he says.

Whether she was impressed by his bowling prowess or dry wit, it’s difficult to tell. Brent thinks it had something to do with the stale nacho chips and crayon-yellow cheese. But that first date led to a second date, and a third, and so on. Soon they were inseparable.

Brent and Hilary would remain inseparable even after he graduated from Riverside and got a job, and she graduated and headed off to college, first at Marshall University and then West Virginia University Institute of Technology. They stayed together as Brent enrolled at West Virginia State University and sometimes got so busy with his day job and school work they barely saw one another. Their love persevered because the future seemed inevitable. “We knew we were going to be together,” he says.

no more waiting

Neither felt rushed to take the next big leap. They figured they would wait until the right time to get married, whenever the right time might be. “We were just really comfortable,” Brent says. But after more than 10 years of dating, they grew tired of waiting. “Once you realize it’s never going to be the perfect time, you just go ahead and do it,” he says.

You learn a lot about a person over the course of a decade-long relationship, so Brent didn’t have much trouble figuring out the best way to propose to Hilary. “She’s a mommy and daddy’s girl,” he says. He decided to pop the question on the night before Christmas 2012. “Christmas Eve has always been the day my family hosts Christmas,” Hilary says. “It will forever be even more special.”

no messing around

Brent waited until all the presents were opened, pulled a ring box from behind a couch cushion, and got down on one knee.

Inside the box was his late mother’s engagement ring, perfectly reset for Hilary’s finger. Before she passed away earlier that year, Brent let his mom know his intentions and received her blessing.

“My mom knew I was going to be with Hilary,” he says.

Now engaged, Brent and Hilary began considering what kind of wedding they wanted. They originally considered elopement at a resort in Jamaica, but that wasn’t really an option. “My dad was like, ‘I can’t imagine not walking down the aisle,’” she says. “My mom said, ‘If you’re having a wedding, you’re having a big wedding.’” So Hilary headed to a bookstore, loaded up on magazines, and began planning.

a timeless dress

“I knew what I wanted him to look like. I wanted something we can look back in 20 years and it will still be in style,” Hilary says.

“JFK wore it—black tuxedos, black tie, you can’t go wrong.” She wasn’t certain what she would wear, however. She initially had her sights on a blush-colored dress by Maggie Sottero, but when she went to try it on at Nandel’s Bridal in Eleanor, the store only had the dress in ivory. She decided to try it anyway. “I put it on in ivory and that was it. I didn’t want to take it off.”

It was only the third dress she tried on, but Hilary instantly knew it was hers. That dress—deftly balancing modern and classic styling with its sweetheart neckline, layered tulle skirt, and beaded black ribbon belt—would set the tone for the rest of Hilary’s wedding.

Although they started out planning an outdoor wedding at a local country club, problems with the venue eventually led Hilary and Brent to an even more fitting space for their nuptials—Cass Gilbert’s neo-classical masterwork, the West Virginia Capitol.

“It was a perfect backdrop for what I had envisioned," she says.

Using the capitol limited their decorating options, however, since there are strict limits on what decorations can be used in the space. But with the help of Winter Floral and Antiques of Charleston, they opted for a simple setup with two large urns and a large altar decorated with ivory flowers.

Brent and Hilary agreed to strip their ceremony down as much as possible. No unity candle or sand ceremony, and no music other than a few songs played by the cellist and violinist they hired for the occasion. The whole thing lasted about 10 minutes. “We didn’t mess around,” Hilary laughs. Since they took photos with the wedding party before the service, everyone headed immediately to the reception at Embassy Suites in downtown Charleston. “We wanted the fun to start,” Brent says.

While the decorations at the capitol were simple, Hilary opted for something a little more extravagant at the reception. The ballroom was decorated with black candelabras, manzanita trees with crystals, and floating candles, as well as blush and ivory flowers. Floodlights washed the walls in pink. The three-tier white buttercream cake followed the same classic theme. Baker Sara Lane of Cross Lanes decorated the cake with feathers and pearls, a black ruffle, and brooch.

Hilary’s main concern, however, was that her guests have a good time. At the suggestion of Hilary’s younger brother, the wedding party danced into the reception to Lil Jon’s “Turn Down for What.” And, after Brent and Hilary marked their first dance with John Mayer’s cover of “Free Fallin,’” the bride took center stage with her father for a unique twist on the traditional dad/daughter dance. They started out swaying to the tune of the country ballad “I Loved Her First.” But then, a few minutes in, Hilary and her father launched into a choreographed routine set to a medley of 1980s and ’90s dance hits like Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It,” M.C. Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This,” and The Sugarhill Gang’s “Apache (Jump On It),” before ending with Elvis’ “Teddy Bear.” “Everybody was rolling,” Hilary says. Her dad was completely game for the stunt, too—even though he required some liquid courage to get started. The dancing continued even after the reception, as the wedding party hopped into the hotel’s courtesy van and headed to Vino’s Bar and Grille along Kanawha Boulevard, partying until the club closed down.

A few days later, Brent and Hilary left for a weeklong honeymoon at the Sandals resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

When they returned home, they embarked on a brand-new adventure: living together. It turns out there are some things you don’t learn until you’re living under the same roof, even after more than a decade of dating. Brent, for instance, isn’t as tidy as Hilary assumed he was. But they’re adapting and learning. They admit being married is hard work sometimes, but that’s OK. Their future together is inevitable. And they don’t need a time machine to know that. mywvwedding.com | 67

Wanderlust A Lincoln County girl and a New Zealand Mountaineer fan share a love story spanning the globe. written by

Mikenna Pierotti • photographed by The Oberports

M

most of us have a dream marriage proposal—a diamond ring in a chocolate soufflé at Chez Panisse, a string quartet at the National Mall, a sunset on a tropical beach. For Cam Frecklington and Lane Litz, popping the question atop one of the world’s most iconic structures—the Great Wall of China—on a chilly spring day during the Chinese festival of Tomb-Sweeping Day, was par for the course when you consider the way they met, fell in love, and began a life together.

Lane grew up in Lincoln County, attended school in Charleston, studied abroad in Spain, and caught some wanderlust. “I just started traveling,” she says. “I graduated and ended up teaching in China.” But talk to either Lane or Cam about their first meeting and you get two slightly different stories. “We met in southern China. We were both teaching writing to international students at the same school.

I came in to work talking about Kevin Pittsnogle,” she says. Cam remembers it differently. “I had noticed she was wearing a WVU hat. And even though I’m from New Zealand, I follow American sports quite closely thanks to a lot of Canadian friends. I noticed her hat and WVU had just beaten Kentucky. I said, ‘How about Kevin Pittsnogle?’ or something equally romantic. It just took off from there.”

Regardless of how it happened, it happened. A girl from Lincoln County and a guy from a small town in New Zealand forged a connection through Mountaineer basketball and fell in love in China. Despite the unique circumstances of their meeting, their attraction was perfectly—beautifully— ordinary. “I thought he was an amazing teacher,” Lane says. “And we talked about Kevin Pittsnogle. It was the best pickup line ever coming from a random New Zealander.”

a new start

This world-traveling couple built a relationship as well as two careers in China.

After a year in Guangzhou, the couple moved to Beijing for Cam to attend graduate school in journalism and for Lane to pursue a career in curriculum design.

The move represented a fresh start in more ways than one. “Very soon after we got to Beijing we found out Lane was pregnant,” Cam says. Nine months later the couple had Stella, a beautiful little ball of dancing energy with a halo of blond hair.

Not a year after Stella’s birth, during the long weekend around Tomb Sweeping Day, Cam took Lane and Stella to the Great Wall. “We went to one section of the wall with a pretty decent view and that’s where I tried to work up the courage,” Cam says. “Throughout the walk I knew we were about to go back to Beijing and I had to do it now or never.” Looking out over a country not their own, but one that had brought them together, Cam got down on one knee and asked Lane, Stella in tow, to be his wife. She agreed.

“I thought we should elope was my first thought,” Lane says. Cam knew better. “I knew she didn’t really mean it.” He also knew having the wedding in West Virginia would be meaningful both for Lane and for his far-flung friends and family—coming from places like New Zealand, South Africa, China, and Canada—who would see Appalachia as an exotic destination. Still, Lane knew planning and finding a venue from thousands of miles away was going to be a headache. “We wanted something unique and we wanted to make a long weekend out of it. We wanted some kind of venue where we could have everyone come and have a barbecue the night before and play cornhole and have people over the day after the wedding,” Lane says. In her search she stumbled onto the New River Gorge and fell in love with the dramatic hills and river views. Adventures on the Gorge resort, with cabins, recreational opportunities, trained staff, and room to roam, seemed perfect.

planning from afar

With the help of Jessica Campbell, catering manager and event coordinator at Adventures on the Gorge, Lane and Cam planned a relaxed party, beginning with a barbecue the day before where friends and family who’d never met would get the chance to break the ice and share a drink. The day itself would be filled with personal touches and items gathered from Chinese markets. The couple chose 70 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

Lane and Cam married in Lane’s home state of West Virginia at Adventures on the

Gorge in Fayette County. The most guests had seen. Pops couple’s spiritual Kriya Yoga of red, gold, and jewel tones ceremony was unlike anything were incorporated throughout.

Friends and family from all over the world celebrated the union of Lane and Cam. The bride’s gown was made by a Chinese tailor. The

couple’s little girl, Stella, also had a ball at the wedding overlooking the New River Gorge.

72 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

“We wanted something unique, and we wanted to make a long weekend out of it.� lane litz

mywvwedding.com | 73

The couple loved looking at their take on a guestbook—a world map signed by guests from all across the globe.

a classic black and white color scheme with pops of gold, red, and jewel tones. Lane also added traditional Chinese elements like fans on the chairs, hand calligraphy on the tables, and Chinese candy favors in personalized bags. In honor of the couple’s travels and as a nod to loved ones from across the globe, guests would sign a map of the world over their countries of origin rather than a typical guestbook.

And rather than a traditional ceremony, Lane and Cam elected for a spiritual Kriya Yoga ceremony recommended

by Lane’s mother. “The details of the ceremony were kept secret from us until the day. They don’t tell you everything because they want the surprise to be genuine. They want you to feel every aspect of it,” Lane says.

for me,” he says, laughing. Bridesmaids and groomsmen accompanied the pair in their own black ensembles.

worldly wedding

After a fun, meaningful outdoor ceremony overlooking the gorge, punctuated by their daughter’s dancing and laughter, the couple slipped away for a quick photoshoot with The Oberports while guests took the party to an upper deck and enjoyed signature drinks and New Zealand foods like sausage rolls and lamb sliders. The whole party returned for a traditional Southern-style barbecue—a fun surprise for non-American guests—as well as a “naked” lemon poppy seed cake with lemon frosting and dancing to the bluegrass rock sounds of Lane’s sister’s Charleston-based band, The Company Stores.

For Lane and Cam the most important thing was keeping But picking out a dress was a bit of a challenge. Not only are their celebration relaxed, stress-free, and fun. With so many Western-style dresses often expensive and difficult to find in different cultures, nations, and backgrounds coming together China, Lane wasn’t in love with the typical look. “They always for this one night, it could have been a challenge. Cam says have the lace and pearls and glitter and gloves and a lot of their extended party—starting the day before and continuing things going on. I wanted something more sophisticated and on past the day of—ensured each guest felt like part of a newly elegant.” Lane found the perfect design on Pinterest and took created, multifaceted family. “It could have been difficult the photo to a Chinese tailor named John Pei. “I just gave him because we had so many people from so many different parts a picture and he tailor-made my wedding dress for about $200.” of the world—like my two best men had never met each other, The finished piece was a sleek, white, long-sleeved gown with my friends from Canada, South Africa, America, none had an open back. She added gold heels, a gold belt, long gold earmet each other. My parents and Lane’s had never met,” Cam rings, and a hand-tied bouquet of red roses with a gold stem tie. says. “But we invited everyone the day before to a big barbecue John Pei also made Cam’s classic black and white suit and the next day everyone was familiar and knew each other. which, Cam claims, was patterned after one of Bill Murray’s There was no awkward silence, everyone was relaxed, and outfits. “If it’s good enough for Bill Murray, it’s good enough everyone had fun. That was the most important thing.”

the look

74 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

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J.Q. DICKINSON SALT - WORKS

Give J.Q. Dickinson salt to your guests and share the flavor of WV. All natural and hand harvested.

jqdsalt.com | 304.925.7918

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WV Weddings MArketplace

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The Spring/Summer 2015 Wedding

lyNSEy WISEMaN & jEFF clINE by thE obErportS

GUIDES

Everything You Need Start crossing tasks off your to-do list with our extensive guides to vendors all across the Mountain State.

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Resource Guide mywvwedding.com

Let WV Weddings help you plan your big day. Don’t forget: When you choose one of our advertising vendors, make sure you mention the magazine!

Beauty & Wellness METRO VALLEY J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works Producer of hand-harvested, solar dried salt made from an ancient ocean trapped deep below the Appalachian Mountains. The perfect gift to share with your wedding guests.

371 Kanawha Salines Drive Malden, WV 25306 304.925.7918 jqdsalt@gmail.com jqdsalt.com Turner Medical Turner Medical is a unique direct primary care practice offering medical services directly to patients without the hassle of insurance companies. Dr. Chad Turner, board-certified family physician, creates a physician-patient relationship reminiscent of the way family medicine started. Start your new life together with a partner in health and wellness.

816 Cross Lanes Drive Cross Lanes, WV 25313 304.776.1611 turnermedicalspa@gmail.com turnermedicalwv.com Turner Medical Spa Laser hair removal, facials, makeup applications, Botox, fillers, massages, and more.

816 Cross Lanes Drive Cross Lanes, WV 25313 304.776.1611 turnermedicalspa@gmail.com turnermedicalwv.com

North Central riversong spa Riversong Spa offers many bridal services, including facials, lash extensions, and on-location airbrush makeup services.

147-C W Main Street Bridgeport, WV 26330

304.997.5356 riversongspa@gmail.com riversongspawv.com Tuscan Sun Spa & Salon Voted the Best of WV Weddings 2014 in Beauty & Wellness, Tuscan Sun is West Virginia’s premier spa and salon. In addition to hair and makeup services in the Aveda Salon, the Med Spa at Tuscan offers weight loss, laser, and advanced skin care services.

1013 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont, WV 26554 304.333.0281 info@tuscanspaandsalon.com tuscanspaandsalon.com

north central Coni & Franc Voted best place to buy a wedding dress four years in a row. For a personalized, one-on-one shopping experience, visit Coni & Franc in downtown Morgantown. The shop carries sizes 0 to 30 and dresses clients from head to toe. It’s your one-stop shop, where there is always something fabulous waiting for you.

422 High Street Morgantown, WV 26505 304.296.9466 coniandfranc.com

house of fashions This full-service bridal boutique The Spa @ The waterfront offers wedding gowns and apparel Begin your walk down the aisle with for mother of the bride/groom, The Spa at The Waterfront, located in bridesmaids, and flower girls as The Waterfront Hotel. The spa has a well as a wide variety of veils, bridal consultant on staff to ease the accessories, and tuxedos. The shop process. Complimentary beverages also provides formal gowns for and cupcakes are included for your evening, prom, and homecoming. party. Bachelorette, group parties, and 121 Daniel Drive on-site weddings available.

Bridgeport, WV 26330 2 Waterfront Place #200 304.672.5490 Morgantown, WV 26501 keri@hofwv.com 304.906.4380 hofwv.com azehner@waterfrontplacespa.com waterfrontplacespa.com

Bridal Shops, Tuxedos, & Accessories METRO VALLEY old Main emporium Uncommon apparel, gifts, and accessories for those who love Marshall University or those who love the color green.

842 4th Avenue Huntington, WV 25701 304.522.6426 oldmainemporium@gmail.com oldmainemporium.com

214 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

cakes & Desserts METRO VALLEY sugar pie bakery Choose from wedding cakes, gourmet cupcakes, handheld desserts, pies, cheesecakes, and wedding favors.

3624 MacCorkle Avenue SE Charleston, WV 25301 304.205.7753 info@sugarpiebakerywv.com sugarpiebakerywv.com

north central the cupcakerie The Cupcakerie is a gourmet cupcake bakery that can cater your

wedding, bridal shower, bachelorette party, or any other event. The shop bakes from scratch daily with the freshest and finest ingredients. It’s not just a cupcake; it’s a Cupcakerie cupcake!

194 Willey Street Morgantown, WV 26505 304.212.5464 orders@thecupcakerie.com thecupcakerie.com

catering Metro Valley bridge road bistro The Bridge Road Bistro has earned the reputation of being one of West Virginia’s premier dining spots. The same commitment to quality, guest service, and professionalism has earned the bistro recognition for its personalized catering service. The bistro caters to any venue—large or small—within a two-hour radius.

915 Bridge Road Charleston, WV 25314 304.720.3500 sandy@thebridgeroadbistro.com thebridgeroadbistro.com Wellington’s Cafe & Catering Wellington’s Cafe and Catering Company is an all-purpose caterer for any occasion and has been catering weddings since 1982.

Wellington’s can also provide china service for up to 300 people for your special day. Serving lunch daily, Monday to Friday from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. in the Charleston area.

2153 Greenbrier Street Charleston, WV 25311 304.549.2712 dfraz11574@aol.com wellingtonswv.com

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north central Oliverio’s Ristorante on the Wharf Oliverio’s is a spacious full-service restaurant in Morgantown’s historic Wharf District. The restaurant has private rooms, a covered outdoor patio, and catering available for all your wedding planning needs. Cakes and cookies offered from Almost Heaven Desserts. Oliverio’s can cater everything from BBQs to sushi bars and, of course, serve up the classic Italian fare the restaurant has been known for in the area for 50 years.

52 Clay Street Morgantown, WV 26501 304.296.2565 info@oliveriosrestaurant.com oliveriosristorante.com the tea shoppe The Tea Shoppe offers on-site events as well as off-site catering for special events. An expanded dining room offers seating for up to 50 people.

Perfect for showers, bridal luncheons, and more.

You can also choose full-service, off-site catering.

709 Beechurst Avenue, Suite 23 Morgantown, WV 26505 304.413.0890 theteashoppewv@gmail.com theteashoppewv.com

southern bella the corner gourmet This is the West Virginia registry go-to shop. Outfit your life with the best of the best—Le Creuset, Bodum, Blenko, locally made items, and more.

Need wine or gourmet foods catered? Call for a quote or check online.

100 East Washington Street Lewisburg, WV 24901 304.520.4921 tamera.pence@gmail.com bellathecornergourmet.com

entertainment Metro valley a clef above A Clef Above plays in many venues, including the Charleston Civic Center, the Clay Center for the Arts and Sciences, at weddings, banquets, and parties, and with popular artists like The Drifters.

Unlimited styles allow A Clef Above to perform music for any occasion.

908 Hughes Drive St. Albans, WV 25177 615.477.6296 creese.music@gmail.com aclefabove.com Montani Music Ensemble Montani Music Ensemble provides string music for your wedding, cocktail hour, or reception. From solo violin to string quartets, this ensembles provide a variety of styles for your special occasion.

Charleston, WV 25339 304.550.0678

music@jenniferwood.net jenniferwood.net

florists north central blooms Florist Blooms is a full-service florist offering wedding and event design.

103 West Main Street Bridgeport, WV 26330 304.842.3639 bloomswedding.com

southern Gillespie’s Flowers & Productions, Inc. Since 1923 at The Greenbrier, G llespie’s has offered full-service wedding florals, decor, and rentals, including unique and specialty items.

130 West Main Street White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986 304.536.1881 john@gillespiesflowers.com gillespiesflowers.com West Farm Flowers Local producer of specialty cut flowers. Wedding designs and unique floral designs available.

HC 34, Box 373 Lewisburg, WV 24901 304.647.8195 westfarms@frontiernet.net westfarmflowers.com

hair & makeup Metro valley Syrra Salon This full-service salon offers a variety of services in haircuts, professional coloring, styles, waxing, and makeup. The salon can focus on just the bride or the whole wedding party.

3980 MacCorkle Avenue Charleston, WV 25304 304.925.7050 syrra.melanie@yahoo.com syrrasalon.com Turner Medical Spa Laser hair removal, facials, makeup applications, Botox, fillers, massages, and more.

816 Cross Lanes Drive Cross Lanes, WV 25313 304.776.1611 turnermedicalspa@gmail.com turnermedicalwv.com

north central nico spalon Services include hair, color, keratin smoothing, extensions, deep conditioning, traditional makeup, airbrush makeup, and full-body waxing.

80 South Pierpont Road Morgantown, WV 26508 mywvwedding.com | 215

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304.594.1550 nico@nicospalon.com nicospalon.com

Morgantown, WV 26501 304.322.2129

Tuscan Sun Spa & Salon Voted the Best of WV Weddings 2014 in Beauty & Wellness, Tuscan Sun is West Virginia’s premier spa and salon. In addition to hair and makeup services in the Aveda Salon, the Med Spa at Tuscan offers weight loss, laser, and advanced skin care services.

1013 Fairmont Avenue Fairmont, WV 26554 304.333.0281 info@tuscanspaandsalon.com tuscanspaandsalon.com

bella the corner gourmet This is the West Virginia registry go-to shop. Outfit your life with the best of the best—Le Creuset, Bodum, Blenko, locally made items, and more.

Need wine or gourmet foods catered? Call for a quote or check online.

100 East Washington Street Lewisburg, WV 24901 304.520.4921 tamera.pence@gmail.com bellathecornergourmet.com

home furnishings

invitations & Stationery

metro valley

metro valley

Eggplant Eggplant is an “anything but ordinary” g ft store located in Charleston. The shop specializes in bridal invitations and registry, offering a wide range of choices and personalizations to meet the individual styles of all bridal couples.

1011A Bridge Road Charleston, WV 25314 304.346.3525 eggplant@suddenlinkmail.com eggplantshop.com

eggplant Eggplant is an “anything but ordinary” gift store in Charleston. The shop specializes in bridal invitations and registry, offering a wide range of choices and personalizations to meet couples’ individual styles.

1011A Bridge Road Charleston, WV 25314 304.346.3525 eggplant@suddenlinkmail.com eggplantshop.com

Room2Create Home décor and tablescape artist.

323 8th Street Huntington, WV 25701 304.972.5960 sallyweilerdesigns@gmail.com room2create.com wells home furnishings Wells Home Furnishings is West Virginia’s premier furniture store. Fam ly-owned and operated since 1994 Wells is the source for unique and stylish home furnishings. Wells offers more than 100 quality brands, many completely customizable and American-made.

Wells In-home Design program helps you create the home of your dreams, with the flexibility to fit your life and budget. The popular wedding registry is the perfect way to furnish your new life together.

101 Bowers Road Charleston, WV 25314 304.343.3600 wellshome.com

North Central wells home furnishings Wells Home Furnishings is West Virginia’s premier furniture store. Family-owned and operated since 1994 Wells is the source for unique and stylish home furnishings. Wells offers more than 100 quality brands, many completely customizable and American-made.

Wells In-home Design program helps you create the home of your dreams, with the flexibility to fit your life and budget. The popular wedding registry is the perfect way to furnish your new life together.

1143 Fairmont Road 216 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

southern

ohio river valley yours truly invitations At Yours Truly, all stationery is created using thick premium shimmer cardstock to give your paper goods that extra special touch.

Parkersburg, WV 26101 304.893.3760 yours-truly-invitations.com

jewelers metro valley calvin broyles jewelers This third-generation, family-owned fine jewelry company offers appraisals by a certified gemologist. Also AGS, Forevermark, jewelry repair, and Cad-Cam jewelry design services.

4708 MacCorkle Avenue South Charleston, WV 25309 304.757.3920 donbroyles@calvinbroyles.com calvinbroyles.com Petit Jewelry Designs Custom jewelry, diamonds, sapphires, tanzanite, emeralds, repairs, engraving, monogramming, and appraisals.

1012½ Bridge Road Charleston, WV 25314 304.343.0003 gspetit@petitjewelrydesigns.com petitjewelrydesigns.com Jacqueline’s fine jewelry Jacqueline’s is a full-service jewelry store offering

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the best in quality products, service, and design.

Jacqueline’s is known for its incredible and wideranging inventory with something for everyone.

1070 Suncrest Towne Centre Morgantown, WV 26505 304.599.6981 tom@jacquelinesfinejewelry.com jacquelinesfinejewelry.com

photography & video services metro valley McComas Video Productions This award-winning wedding team w ll capture every moment of your wedding day and bring those memories back to life through beautiful HD wedding films. Let them tell your wedding story.

41 Fairfax Drive Huntington, WV 25705 304.654.0025 booking@mccomasvideo.com mccomasvideo.com

north central rebecca devono photography Specializing in high-end portraiture and weddings.

237 East Main Street Bridgeport, WV 26330 rebeccadevono.com

real estate metro valley old colony Let Old Colony be a part of your wedding plans.

Whether you’re buying, selling, or both, you want three things—the right price, the quickest turnaround, and attention to details. Old Colony will get you a pro who will work tirelessly to ensure the things you want are the things you get.

1205 Virginia Street East Charleston, WV 25301 304.415.0366 vmclaughlin@oldcolony.com vickiemclaughlin.com

potomac highlands best of canaan Canaan Valley rental properties offer unique lodging opportunities for wedding parties, families, and guests. Fully-equipped homes offer views, WiFi, and more.

5546 Appalachian Highway Davis, WV 26260 877.484.8680 info@bestofcanaan.com bestofcanaan.com

mywvwedding.com | 217

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regisTries & uNiQue gifTs MEtRo vallEy EGGPlaNt Eggplant is an “anything but ordinary” gift store in charleston. the shop specializes in bridal invitations and registry, offering a wide range of choices and personalizations to meet couples’ individual styles.

1011A Bridge Road Charleston, WV 25314 304.346.3525 eggplant@suddenlinkmail.com eggplantshop.com J.Q. dIcKINSoN Salt-WoRKS producer of hand-harvested, solar dried salt made from an ancient ocean trapped deep below the appalachian Mountains. the perfect gift to share with your wedding guests.

371 Kanawha Salines Drive Malden, WV 25306 304.925.7918 jqdsalt@gmail.com jqdsalt.com old MaIN EMPoRIUM uncommon apparel, gifts, and accessories for those who love Marshall university or those who love the color green.

842 4th Avenue Huntington, WV 25701 304.522.6426 oldmainemporium@gmail.com oldmainemporium.com

NoRthERN PaNhaNdlE hoMER laUGhlIN chINa coMPaNy Makers of the iconic Fiesta Dinnerware. Whether you are starting a collection or simply looking for that perfect piece, the homer laughlin china company Factory outlet has something for everyone.

672 Fiesta Drive Newell, WV 26050 304.387.1300 sspencer@homerlaughlin.net fiestafactorydirect.com

SoUthERN BElla thE coRNER GoURMEt this is the West Virginia registry go-to shop. outfit your life with the best of the best—le creuset, bodum, blenko, locally made items, and more.

Need wine or gourmet foods catered? call for a quote or check online.

100 East Washington Street Lewisburg, WV 24901 304.520.4921 tamera.pence@gmail.com bellathecornergourmet.com

MEtRo vallEy a to Z RENtalS - SPEcIal EvENtS this company rents tents, lighting, tables, chairs, linen, staging, dance floor, china, catering equipment, and more.

826 7th Avenue Huntington, WV 25701 304.529.6253 haley.linkous@azrentwv.com azrentwv.com lIttlE BlacK dRESS EvENtS aNd RENtalS little black Dress Events and rentals provides a modern and diverse selection of products and services in the charleston and surrounding areas. the group prides itself on a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction and a willingness to go the extra mile to make the client’s dream a reality.

3706 MacCorkle Avenue SE Charleston, WV 25304 304.400.4989 misti@littleblackdressevents.net lbdrentals.net

TrAvel MoUNtaIN laKES lEWIS coUNty cvB this is Stonewall country. If you like the outdoors, glass, the military, history, fun and adventure, fairs and festivals, the scary or haunted, great food, and so very much more, visit lewis county—where heroes were raised and legends were born.

499 US Highway 33 East Weston, WV 26452 304.269.7328 tour@stonewallcountry.com stonewallcountry.com SUMMERSvIllE cvB Information on accommodations, dining, parks, recreation, and shopping in Summersville. Free visitor guide and vacation itineraries available.

3 Armory Way Summersville, WV 26651 304.872.3722, 866.716.0448 summersvillecvb.com UPShUR coUNty cvB Whether you want to enjoy the great outdoors by hiking or biking, want to see historical sites like civ l War battlefields, or prefer strolling through quaint shops and local eateries, upshur county is a great place to base your stay in the region. you’ll find big opportunities here and around the area.

14 East Main Street Buckhannon WV 26201 304.473.1400 lmeadows@visitbuckhannon.org visitupshur.org

NoRth cENtRal

reNTAls & pArTy supplies 218 | WV WEDDINGS Spring/Summer 2015

MaRIoN coUNty cvB Marion county provides romantic settings with indoor and outdoor spaces for an intimate ceremony or a large event. Scenic parks provide wonderful photo

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opportunities and culinary professionals w ll prepare a memorable meal. The CVB is here to help negotiate the best rates for your group lodging and discounts on admission to some of the area attractions. Let them help you create a memorable event.

1000 Cole Street, Suite A Pleasant Valley, WV 26554 304.368.1123 leisha@marioncvb.com marioncvb.com

potomac highlands canaan valley resort & Conference center Start life’s greatest journey at West Virginia’s most breathtaking destination wedding venue. Convenient and affordable, choose from banquet services, bachelor and bachelorette parties, seasonal recreational activities, 160 new hotel rooms, and fireplace guest suites.

230 Main Lodge Road Davis, WV 26260 304.866.4121, Ext. 2685 canaanresort.com

southern mercer county cvb With beautiful scenic views at the county’s state and local parks, as well as an elegant multi-purpose arts center and historic churches, the Mercer County Convention and Visitors Bureau can help plan a dream wedding for any bride.

Bluefield, WV 24701 304.325.8438 info@visitmercercounty.com

wedding Planning & Coordinating metro valley cheryl sullivan events Let Cheryl Sullivan Events handle the stress. You just work the dress. Wedding planning and/or coordination services to help you design your dream day. The goal is to save you time, money, and most importantly, sanity. Available for travel.

3 Blossom Way Hurricane, WV 25526 304.638.7613 cheryl@cherylsullivanevents.com cherylsullivanevents.com little black dress events Little Black Dress Events provides a modern and diverse selection of products and services in the Charleston and surrounding areas. This planning group prides itself on a genuine commitment to customer satisfaction and a willingness to go the extra mile to make the client’s dream a reality. Dedicated staff w ll supply every client with personal service and creative inspiration.

3706 MacCorkle Avenue SE Charleston, WV 25304 304.400.4989 misti@littleblackdressevents.net lbdrentals.net mywvwedding.com | 219

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The Ultimate

VEnuE guiDE Find the perfect place for your intimate ceremony, modern reception, or even just the right spot for your elopement or honeymoon.

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acE adventure resort, Fayetteville

up to 100

304.574.5482 acritchley@aceraft.com aceraft.com

create wedding memories that will last a lifetime in an unforgettable setting with acE. the photo opportunities are endless with romantic forests and breathtaking views. at acE you’ll have everything you need to start your greatest adventure yet.

adventures on the Gorge, lansing

up to 250

866.920.1256 j.campbell@onthegorge.com visitaotg.com

located on the rim of the New river Gorge, aotG venues offer incredible views, resort amenities, fun adventures, and catering at one destination. choose from three venues— Smokey’s, the viewing deck, or the fantastic pool—or combine them all.

bavarian Inn, Shepherdstown

up to 250

304.876.2551 events@bavarianinnwv.com bavarianinnwv.com

this aaa Four Diamond property is on a bluff overlooking the scenic potomac river in historic Shepherdstown, with 72 rooms and suites.

Winner of the Wine Spectator best of award.

Newly constructed infinity pool and pool bar complex. Wedding and meeting space.

the blennerhassett, parkersburg

up to 175

304.865.8657 edavenport@theblennerhassett.com theblennerhassett.com

catered receptions at this historic hotel can be built into a number of comprehensive wedding packages. choose from a lavish ballroom or an outdoor tented patio.

canaan Valley resort & conference center, Davis

up to 300

304.866.4121 polinga@canaanresort.com canaanresort.com

create a mountain destination wedding with year-round options. offering a variety of accommodations for your guests and customizable wedding packages for 20 to 300 guests.

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charleston civic center, charleston

up to 2,000

304.345.1500 bobbie.nichols@ charlestonwvciviccenter.com charlestonwvciviccenter.com

the charleston civic center can accommodate any size wedding, from intimate gatherings to grand-scale productions. the in-house chef will work with you to customize a menu to fit your theme and budget. call today.

charleston conference center/holiday Inn & Suites, charleston

up to 250

304.744.4641 jdery@discovercharlestonwv.com charlestonconferencecenter.com

Elegant event space perfect for your wedding. on-site full-service hotels and amenities. outdoor space available.

the clay center for the arts & Sciences, charleston

Varies

304.561.3560 lfrancis@theclaycenter.org theclaycenter.org

the clay center offers spaces intimate or vast, and catering is provided on-site by Embassy Suites hotel. the clay center is centrally located with beautiful views of downtown charleston.

the confluence resort, Fayetteville

up to 200+

304.573.4900 info@confluenceresort.com confluenceweddings.com

this spectacular outdoor venue specializes in elegant, rustic, outdoor, tented events. packages begin at $5,500. Facility rentals include on-site lodging, multiple ceremony locations, and tent with equipment. Features a rustic barn, overlooks, and personalized service. on-site catering, dĂŠcor, and floral packages are avalable.

Embassy Suites, charleston

up 480

304.720.5561 hayley.tighe@jqh.com embassysuitescharlestonwv.com

With on-site planning services, catering, and wedding packages, Embassy Suites can help you express your individuality and honor your cultural heritage. the beautiful facilities provide the backdrop for incredible memories that will last a lifetime.

the Erickson alumni center, Morgantown

up to 375

304.293.4731 mary.kinsley@mail.wvu.edu alumni.wvu.edu/eac

the Erickson alumni center is a premier destination for weddings, conferences, meetings, and other special events. With award-winning catering, multiple event spaces, and a beautiful setting, the Erickson alumni center is perfect for any occasion.

Event center at brushy Fork, buckhannon

up to 300

304.472.4938 eventcenter@visitbuckhannon.org eventcenterwv.com

customization is priority at this new facility with rooms that can be transformed to fit your party. clients are not tied down to vendors—perfect for do-it-yourself couples. you may bring your own caterer, florists, and decorations or, f you want help, an event manager will connect you with local businesses to help you with your big day.

Fairmont State university, Fairmont

up to 400

304.367.40901 cathy.basagic@fairmontstate.edu fairmontstate.edu

conference Services on a beautiful campus provides the help you need to make your day special. the Falcon center offers flexible event space. catering is available through aladdin Food Management Services. colebank hall allows seating for 400.

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Four points

by Sheraton, charleston

up to 250

304.344.4092 jclarke@fourpointscharleston.com fourpointscharleston.com

this riverfront property is a new full-service hotel downtown. It’s the perfect place to host your wedding, bridal shower, or rehearsal dinner. the contemporary space is complemented with warm and neutral tones to allow your palette to shine.

holiday Inn Express & Suites, Fairmont

Varies

304.816.5133 hie_fairmont@doublejlodging.com hiexpress.com/hotels/us/en/ fairmont/ckbfm/hoteldetail

located minutes from downtown Fairmont and its many attractions. business center and meeting facility available. Each room has a microwave/ refrigerator, work station, and hard and wireless high-speed internet available.

Isaac jackson hotel, Elkins

up to 200

304.636.1400 karenr@ijhotelelkins.com isaacjacksonhotel.com

the Isaac jackson hotel & 1863 Grill make up Elkins’ newest venue. perfect for elegant wedding receptions, showers, brunches, and rehearsal dinners. on-site catering by the 1863 Grill and hotel rooms for your out-of-town guests.

304.594.1111 info@lakeviewresort.com lakeviewbride.com

Say “I Do” on the 10th tee of this exquisite golf course. celebrate with your guests in one of lakeview’s picturesque ballrooms overlooking cheat lake. the experienced wedding specialists will assist you in personalizing your special day.

lakeview Golf resort & Spa, Morgantown

up to 400

Mary conrad park, roanoke

Varies

304.517.8543 joel.richards63@gmail.com stonewallcountry.com

this beautiful lakeside park on the shores of the beautiful Stonewall jackson lake is the perfect wedding spot. restrooms, electric, pavilion, and a local rental company are available for all your rental needs.

prickett’s Fort State park, Fairmont

up to 250

304.363.3030 info@prickettsfort.org prickettsfort.org

prickett’s Fort State park provides a historic backdrop for your special day. Weddings and receptions can take place inside the visitor center or outside in our designated wedding area. please call for additional information.

the resort at Glade Springs, Daniels

up to 350

855.999.4120 achoutaylor@gladesprings.com gladesprings.com

the resort at Glade Springs’ scenic 4,100-acre property provides the perfect West Virginia wedding location for your ceremony and reception, rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, and departure brunch. choose indoor or outdoor sites with spectacular views and unique settings.

304.572.5825 mmcgee@snowshoemountain.com snowshoemtn.com/plan-your-trip/ groups/destination-weddings.aspx

Snowshoe Mountain is the perfect setting for your special day. Visit the top of the mountain and see why Snowshoe is a popular location for your wedding.

Snowshoe Mountain resort, Snowshoe

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Summersville arena and conference center, Summersville

up to 2,800

304.872.3722 marianne@summersvillecvb.com summersvillearena.com

Multi-use, state-of-the-art facility perfect for meetings, conferences, trade shows, weddings, sporting events, banquets, and more.

tamarack conference center, beckley

up to 390

304.256.6843 ataylor@tamarackwv.com tamarackwv.com

tamarack conference center is the perfect marriage of elegance, style, and service.

Spacious room arrangements and colorful menus impress even the most diverse audiences.

Waterfront place hotel, Morgantown

up to 1,100

304.581.2808 kelly.saunders@ waterfrontplacehotel.com waterfrontplacehotel.com

the Waterfront place hotel is an ideal venue for a variety of gatherings with more than 40,000 square feet for weddings, reunions, galas, and more. choose from a beautiful ballroom, and exhibit hall, and an extensive patio and deck overlooking the Monongahela river. It’s the perfect location for your event.

WV State parks

Varies

304.643.2931 sissie.a.summers@wv.gov wvstateparks.com

the perfect locations for your wedding plans. ten parks with lodges have restaurants for food services. Most importantly, you’ll get ideas for indoor or outdoor venues. Weddings, honeymoons, and anniversaries happen at WV State parks.

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