Almost heaven, West Virginia, Blue Ridge Mountains Shenandoah River. Life is old there, Older than the trees, Younger than the mountains Growing like a breeze. Country roads, take me home To the place where I belong: West Virginia, mountain Mama, Take me home, country roads.

        Sharon is originally from Alaska and Alex is from Pittsburg, Penn.  Somehow they’re paths crossed and they’ve been making a long distance relationship work for a bit.  They’ve been living in DC and planning a wedding in their spare time for about 9-10 months.  The first time we met was at their venue in West Virginia, 1902 on Queen in Martinsburg.  This is a brand new venue and their wedding is the first!  It’s a beautiful 3 story Art Deco building with incredible hardwood floors, large windows and tin ceilings.  This couple chose to have the Ceremony and Cocktail Hour on the 3rd floor and the Reception on the 2nd.

     We walked down the street to the Train Station for the First Look and Bridal Party Portraits.  It happened to be a beautifully warm, almost summer, day with clear blue skies. Which is incredibly fortunate since we had been having pop up storms and severe weather for a couple weeks.  I thought we had chosen a place out of the way but there were quite a few cars that drove by, each time wishing the Bride and Groom luck and telling everyone how beautiful they looked.

    The couple was tucked away before their guests arrived and it gave them a chance to cool off and touch up before the Ceremony began.  Grandma, and Moms were escorted to their seats and then Alex walked down with his Groomsmen in tow.  Then the show began.  The Bridesmaids elegantly walked down the aisle followed by 4 Flower Girls and 2 Ring Bearers, all under the age of 6-7 years old.   The oldest Flowergirl pulled the youngest Flowergirl in a wagon.  The 3 other sweet red headed girls spread rose petals on the aisle for Sharon.  And the boys held hands and carried a sign that read “Here comes the love of your life” .  Sharon was escorted down the aisle by her Father, he was so proud.  Throughout the Ceremony, Sharon and Alex looked at each other with such anticipation.  This is the moment they’d been planning and waiting for and it was finally here!  Vows, Unity Candle, and Rings were exchanged and then it was time to announce Mr. & Mrs. Copeland!

     A Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania influence was the Cookie Table. Alex told me it was a Pittsburgh Polish Tradition.  His side of the family, several Aunts, brought a huge variety of cookies to create the Cookie Table with.  I’ve never seen so many cookies before.  It was a very “sweet” tradition and one that was obviously well received. The Reception began with the couple’s first dance and a blessing over the food.  Before we knew it family and friends were saying “cheers” to the couple during the toasts and the dance floor opened up.  Joshua with Love & Light kept the guests entertained with a variety of new and old classics.  One of the last dances was the Polka, a.k.a. The Dollar Dance.  Guests put money in a jar and get to dance with the Bride, afterwards they get a shot.  I think this couple prepared Jell-0 shots.  The line was long, the Bride was out of breath, but Sharon kept smiling as people got back in line.

Vendor List

Venue: 1902 on Queen – Azddine Elbouchti

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Caterer: Leiters Fine Catering – Autumn Brown

Florist: Flowers Unlimited – Anthony Hess

Photographer: Lydia Teague

Hair & Makeup: Artifex – Angela Bean

DJ & Lighting: Love & Light – Joshua Pelling

Limo: Formal Express – Brent Grubb

Planning, Logistics, and Coordination: Lead-Aimee Peters and assistant Morgan Bowles – 

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If you are looking for a Wedding Photographer, then let me know!  It has been such a privilege getting to know Sharon and Alex and I would love the opportunity to get to know you as well!