the couple was walking the rocky shoreline of Lake Superior in search of translucent agates when Mark said “I found a big one.” Shawnee turned around to find Mark down on one knee, where he pulled a ring box out of his jacket pocket. They spent the rest of the morning on a bench on the banks of Lake Superior planning their future, which would include a September wedding in West Virginia. happily ever after It was important to Shawnee, a Morgantown native, to be married in West Virginia. “I knew I wanted to get married outdoors, surrounded by family, friends, and the rolling hills that I love,” she says. So, in November 2017, they headed to Shawnee’s home among the hills to look at venues. They started with Snowshoe Mountain resort. “The moment we stepped on the ceremony lawn, we knew this was it,” Shawnee says. “The beauty of it all was overwhelming.” The following fall, the couple said their “I do’s” against the backdrop of the Allegheny
Mountains. And in true fairytale fashion, the ceremony was complete with a visit from far far away: Shawnee’s brother, Logan, a Marine, had been deployed right before the wedding, and the bride was able to have a FaceTime conversation with him following the ceremony. A cocktail hour complete with cornhole paid homage to Shawnee and Mark’s time as Mountaineers. The reception was autumnal with fall decor, including table numbers and a card box handmade by the father of the bride. In addition to the couple’s two-tiered wedding cake were mini apple and pumpkin pies and a s’mores station. To round out the fall theme, the mother of the bride hand quilted acorns in a labor of love as favors for the guests. During the reception, the newlyweds slipped away for sunset photos. “It was like we were the main characters in a story book,” Shawnee says. “I didn't think much about my wedding before meeting Mark, but if I would have dreamt about it, I bet it would have paled in comparison.”
Following the ceremony and before joining their guests for a reception, Shawnee and Mark stole away for a sunset photo session at the iconic mountain resort.
30 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2020
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