The reception fare was Tuscan- inspired and featured tables of bread, olive oil, and cheeses. Homemade
Italian cookies made by the groom’s mother also awaited the guests’ arrival at the reception.
but no such event ever occurred. It turns out that, for whatever reason, the team had forgotten his plans. Before long, he received an apology, a refund, and some free tickets from the team, but he had already set his sights on the Pittsburgh Steelers for his next attempt. Wittlee ultimately said “yes” at Heinz Field, while fireworks lit up the Allegheny River. a tuscan dream Their ceremony was officiated by Matthew’s aunt and former West Virginia Secretary of State Natalie Tennant and included vows the couple wrote together. They paused for a moment of silence for those they’d both lost, including the grandmother who gave Wittlee that fateful nudge out the door to introduce herself to the boy outside. After Natalie closed the ceremony by saying cheekily, “I am Natalie Tennant, and I approve this marriage,” the party was ready to begin. Wittlee and Matthew brought their love for travel right to West Virginia with a “Tuscan romance” themed reception, foreshadowing the Italian honeymoon they’d soon embark upon. European details dotted the room, and tables of bread, olive oil, cheese, and homemade Italian cookies baked by Matthew’s mother awaited the guests. Friends and family danced the night away, but, despite the loving company, Matthew and Wittlee only truly had eyes for each other. Wittlee had watched a teenage Matthew run toward her all those years ago as she waited to introduce herself for the first time. Their wedding day was a little different. This time, Matthew had stood watching as his future wife approached the altar from a distance. “Walking down the aisle, you always hear that you won’t see anyone else,” Wittlee says. “But it was like a movie. I really don’t remember seeing anything other than Matthew.”
38 | WV WEDDINGS Fall/Winter 2020
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