We had a bit of a destination wedding recently, as we travelled to Wisp Resort near Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland for Ellen and Dan’s wedding at the top of the mountain.
It’s funny how sometimes you meet people for the first time and it seems like you’ve been friends for years. This was the case here, as prior to the wedding our only contact had been through email and telephone. Maybe it’s just something in the nature of folks from West Virginia, but Ellen and Dan, along with their families and friends, were so welcoming and friendly that we felt right at home. The wedding itself was beautiful and the reception filled with fun. I’ll stop here and let you see for yourselves:
Ellen and the girls got ready at the lodge:
Caroline went down to the ballroom to take some detail shots of the room and found Dan seated alone writing out his vows:
Ellen is very beautiful. Her bridesmaids Julie and Julie helped her get into her dress:
The weather looked iffy, but Ellen was determined to press on with the mountaintop ceremony. We had to drive up:
Next two photos are by Caroline:
I’ll have to ask her what the guys were doing here! Well fed, or showing off their WWE championship belts?
Uncle Bud caught a ride on the back of the golf cart:
The view up there is breathtaking:
Dan thought so too:
Ellen tried hard not to cry:
But there was a tear:
Caroline’s view of their first kiss:
I’m guessing that it is a long-standing local tradition to carry the bride through the mountains of Maryland:
It began to rain just as we were finishing up our photos at the top of the mountain. Dan was quite the gentleman, making sure his wife stayed dry:
On to the reception:
First dance:
Cutting the cake was a delicate operation:
Toasts. First up was Julie:
Next were Dan’s two brothers:
Actually, Ellen’s brother Wes (Dude of Honor) gave the first speech. I just liked this picture of them together after the toasts best:
The rain stopped and the sun came back out, so we went outside for some portraits:
You never know what you’ll see in the mountains:
Dan’s a romantic guy, he surprised all of us with this move:
Details, details:
Dancing (next two by Caroline):
The wish tree was a very nice touch:
Dan dances with his mom, Mona:
Caroline’s photo:
Such drama!
The guys got together for a dance (Caroline’s photo):
Ellen’s mom Fran (left) joins in the dancing. I think this move is called “The Lawn Sprinkler”
Thanks Ellen and Dan. I wish you both all the best in life:)
Here’s a slideshow with the images from above and more:
