--- UPDATE ---
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I had the great pleasure of shooting all weekend with Rebecca Kiger at a beautiful wedding in West Virginia recently. The below is Rebecca's blog entry in entirety, and in twitter speak, I've RT'd it to share the story. I echo much of the below; our hosts were amazing, the atmosphere, service, and events were all beyond top-notch. Just look at the photos! You should visit both Rebecca's
blog and
website, and if you are ever in West Virginia, stay at the
Blennerhassett! A special thanks to Rebecca's assistant, Amanda, my assistant Megan Kahoa, and my chauffer brother, Aaron Poot.
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Melissa McCormick and Tres Ross were married on Saturday, May 30, 2009 in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Guests flew in from all over the country and were warmly welcomed at the
Blennerhassett Hotel, which provided accommodations and award-winning wining and dining. The Ross Family owns the historic hotel in downtown Parkersburg.
The wedding day began with a morning sternwheeler boat cruise along the river. Guests were entertained with live music and more wining and dining, as the family and hotel are renowned for their hospitality. Below, photographs from the voyage, including one of Tres sampling an oyster shooter.
Below, Sasha, one of the chefs at The Blennerhassett, begins early preparing for an elaborate dinner. In the following image, wine from the
Bremer Family Winery in St. Helena, one of the featured wines of the weekend. The winery customized wine boxes with Tres and Melissa's names and their wedding date. Next to the wine, orchids that were found throughout the wedding floral design at the hotel. Pam Shirley of
Aletha's in Marietta, Ohio created the magnificent arrangements.
Connie Miller, who is out of Cincinnati, Ohio, custom-designed Melissa's dress. Below, a look at some of the detailed beading on the bodice. On the heel of her Manolo Blahniks, which were inspired from an episode of Sex in the City (the one where Carrie loses her shoes at a party), are two of Melissa's beautiful rings, her something blue and her engagement ring.
Emotions ran high on the wedding day for both Melissa and Tres. Joy was expressed through laughter, smiles, and tears. Above, Melissa twirls in delight as she begins to dress for the wedding and then tries to hold back tears when she sees how her wedding dreams have been realized. "I really feel like a princess," she said. Below, Melissa and her bridal party depart The Blennerhassett for the church by horse and carriage.
The ceremony was held at undoubtedly one of the most beautiful churches in Parkersburg, Trinity Episcopal, located just blocks from the hotel. Below, Melissa arrives to the church courtyard. Alongside that photo, a detail of her bouquet.
The wedding was officiated by Father Jackson of Trinity Episcopal and Bishop Price from Columbus, Ohio. When Tres was hit by a car at the age of six and endured months of hospitalization and recovery, Bishop Price, who at that time was at Trinity, walked alongside the family in prayer and support. While the family was honored that he returned to deliver the ceremonial vows, Bishop Price indicated in his blessing later that night, what an honor and blessing it was for him and and all those present to witness Tres and Melissa's wedding, for thirty years earlier, prayers had been focused on just keeping him alive.
In the second, and fourth photos below, images from the beginning and the end of the ceremony at Trinity. In the fifth image below, Tres and his mother embrace following the wedding.
The couple returned to The Blennerhassett by horse and carriage and sat down for an elaborate dinner in the Charleston Ballroom. Below, enormous urns of orchids and roses donned the tables, which were topped with red and platinum table clothes. The tables were set with a myriad of wine glasses and fleur de lis wine stopper favors, symbolic of the couples love of wine and their quickly approaching honeymoon through the champagne vineyards in France. In the image below the table setting, champagne is poured for a toast. Alongside that photo, the waitstaff wait ready to serve wine to the guests. In front is Cindy, who after working hours cheerfully preparing for the reception, still had time to sincerely ask me how I was doing. She exemplified the spirit of hospitality at the hotel.
The toasts were both humorous and heartfelt. Below, Brandi delivers her roast/toast, while Melissa, Tres, and his brother Spencer laugh along.
Following dinner, Melissa and Tres moved from the ballroom to Spat's Lounge to cut their seven-tiered cake prepared by Tere Clegg. Below, a shot of the cake in Spat's Lounge and below that, Melissa and Tres finish licking their finger tips of one of the several flavored cakes prepared by Tere.
Even though rain dances had been performed at the beginning of the day, right before dinner concluded an unbelievable storm passed through Parkersburg. This wouldn't have dampened the evening had the dancing had not been planned outside in the courtyard of the hotel. After days of celebrating, Melissa expressed some relief that instead of dancing the night away she could kick off her shoes and rest before departing the next morning for France. Before the couple slipped away for the night, the ten piece band moved inside and played two songs so the night could conclude with dance. Melissa and Tres danced to "Could It Be Magic" by Barry Manilow. Tres couldn't help but sing his heart out to Melissa as they danced (third photo below), and this is where the tears filled up in my heart as well. In the final photo below, a shot of the dance floor and a view from the Blennerhassett courtyard prior to the rain.
When Melissa and Tres return from their honeymoon, besides continuing their phenomenal work at the hotel, Tres will carry forward the work of the
Ross Foundation, a family foundation based in Parkersburg with a primary focus on supporting causes within local communities throughout West Virginia. The couple will reside in Parkersburg. Congratulations to a couple who inspires through their love, strength, and unbelievable graciousness.
Thanks go to Adam Johnson for serving as my second photographer the day of the wedding!
