LONACONING — Shannon Renee Broadwater and Michael Aaron Moyer were united in marriage on Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011. The double ring ceremony took place at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lonaconing. Deacon Fred Passauer officiated. The bride’s parents were married in the same church Aug. 28, 1971, and the ceremony was the last one before the closure of the church.  

The bride is the daughter of Thomas “Butch” and Mary Broadwater of Barton. She is the granddaughter of the late Thomas and Sara Broadwater, the late Paul Nolan and the late Margaret Loar.  

The groom is the son of Sherry Croft of Ridgeley, W.Va., and the late Rodney Moyer.  He is the grandson of Sarah “Jean” Gaumer and the late Charles Gaumer and the late Cletus and Dorothy Moyer.  

Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father Shannon wore a strapless ivory Alfred Angelo ball gown. The gown featured a full skirt and chapel train with a layer of ivory tulle over multiple layers of ivory tulle with subtle silver glitter. The bodice featured a sweetheart neckline accentuated with crystal beading and was rhinestone encrusted with a corset back.  The bride wore diamond earrings, a bracelet matching the crystal beading on her gown, and silver ballet slippers accentuated with matching jewels.  Her hair was styled by Peggy Atkinson of PS Hair Design and featured a jeweled barrette.  

Shannon carried a blossoming bouquet of yellow roses, orange gerber daisies, eggplant and ivory calla lilies, hypericum berry, orange wax flowers and lemon leaf. Intertwined throughout the bouquet was a rosary that belonged to the bride’s late Grammy Colleen Rowan and was a gift from Colleen’s daughter, Mary Louise Muir. The ladies carried smaller versions of the bride’s bouquet and the flower girl carried an ivory basket with flower petals.

The groom, his men and the father of the bride wore ivory calla lily boutonnieres accentuated with lemon leaf. The mother’s of the bride and groom wore wrist corsages consisting of the flowers in the bridal bouquet.

The floral arrangements for the bridal party and altar were created by Georges Creek Florist.

Julie Thomas, lifelong friend of the bride, served as matron of honor. Tracy Bennett, cousin of the bride, and Shelly Love, friend of the bride, served as ladies of honor.  Peyton Thomas, friend of the bride, served as the flower girl. The attendants wore strapless eggplant ball gowns accentuated with jewel encrusted detail at the waist.  The flower girl wore a tea-length gown of eggplant with a full ivory skirt. Her gown featured a bow at the waist with eggplant flowers trailing down the streamers of the bow.  

Derek Broadwater, friend of the groom, served as the best man.  Ron Eversole, friend of the groom, John Blubaugh lifelong friend of the groom, and Austin Loar, cousin of the bride, served as groomsmen.  Shaun Loar, cousin of the bride, served as the ring bearer. The groom, best man, groomsmen, ring bearer and father of the bride all wore black tuxedos with shawl collar jackets with ivory shirts.  The groom wore an ivory vest and matching tie and accentuated his attire with cuff links that belonged to his father.  The best man, groomsmen and ring bearer wore eggplant vests and matching ties.   

As guests arrived at the church, organist Sue Young and soloist Carol King performed several selections including “Wedding Prayer,” “Perhaps Love” and “For You.” The church was adorned with an array of fall colored mums in each stained glass window, accentuated with the autumn sunlight. Tulle bows adorned the pews throughout the church.  Mums also graced the stairs leading into the church. The decor for the church was completed by Lynn Love and Shelly Love, friends of the bride. The altar featured large candelabras, lush green ferns, mums, large fresh floral displays and a unity candle accentuated with yellow roses, eggplant calla lilies, ivory calla lilies, hypericum berry, orange wax flowers and lemon leaf.  Altar flowers were in memory of Rodney Moyer, Thomas and Sara Broadwater, Charles Gaumer, Margaret Loar, Cletus and Dorothy Moyer, Paul Nolan Sr., Colleen Rowan and Kristen Loar.

Paula Nolan, cousin of the bride, served as lector for the ceremony. Kait Mille, cousin of the bride, attended the guest book. Haley Trunkett, Kyle Trunkett and Chase Thomas distributed programs.

Moriah Kasekamp and Ed Geis of Moriah K Photography provided photography for the day.

A reception immediately followed the ceremony at the Barton Fireman’s Armory. Guests were served dinner catered by the Barton Ladies Auxiliary.  The four-tier wedding cake featured four side cakes and was created by Shelby Gable and decorated with fresh flowers cascading down the cake. The tables were lined with ivory linen table cloths and accentuated with ivory linen napkins complemented with fall leaf napkin rings. The centerpieces were created by the bride and her mother and consisted of eggplant chargers with flickering ivory candles and autumnal leaf rings surrounding each candle.  Mums, tulle bows and autumnal wreaths graced the reception hall.  Favors at each place setting were small ivory tulle bags filled with fall colored M&Ms and a chocolate M created by McFarland’s Candy.   

The bridal party was introduced at the reception by Sounds Fun Entertainment.  The bride and groom entered the reception to “Smile” by Uncle Kracker. Mike and Shannon danced their first dance to “Never Gonna’ Be Alone” by Nickleback. The bride and her father danced to “I Loved Her First” by Heartland and the groom and his mother danced to “I Hope You Dance” by Lee Ann Womack.

On the eve of the wedding, the groom’s mother and her husband, Charles Croft, hosted a rehearsal dinner at Texas Grillhouse in honor of the couple.

A bridal shower was given by the bride’s aunt, Frances Ann Nolan, and her cousin, Tracy Bennett, with the assistance of the bridal party.  

Shannon is a 1995 graduate of Westmar High School, a 1997 graduate of Allegany College of Maryland, with an associate’s degree in sociology, a 1999 graduate of Frostburg State University, with a bachelor’s degree in social work, and a 2003 graduate of West Virginia University, where she obtained a master’s degree in social work.  She is employed by the State of Maryland at the Allegany County Department of Social Services as a licensed social worker.

Mike is a 1996 graduate of Beall High School and the Center for Career and Technical Education. He has attended Frostburg State University and is currently attending Allegany College of Maryland in the business administration curriculum.  He is  employed by Alliant Techsystems, Rocket Center, W.Va.

Mike and Shannon honeymooned in New York City at the Waldorf Astoria. They were able to enjoy attractions such as Top of the Rock observation deck at Rockefeller Center during the day, both observation decks of the Empire State Building at night, the 9-11 memorial, a boat ride on the Hudson, tours throughout the city and Times Square nightly.

Shannon and Mike would like to thank everyone that made their wedding so amazing. Thanks to our reception decorating team consisting of the bride’s parents, Tim and Cathy Miller, Betsy “Boo,” Pete, David and Danny Poe, Susan Nolan, Frances Ann and Billy Nolan, Tracy Bennett, Julie Thomas, Shelly Love, Lynn Mullen and Peggy Atkinson, who transformed the reception venue.

A special thank you to the parents of the bride for a wonderful celebration and to our close relatives and friends for their love and support throughout our lives.