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Christina & Matthew: A Summer Wedding in Fairmont, WV

They say that the best relationships are those that have a chance to grow and mature over time. Such was the case for Christina and Matthew. The two m

They say that the best relationships are those that have a chance to grow and mature over time. Such was the case for Christina and Matthew. The two met and became friends in college but it wasn’t until after they graduated that a love interest sparked. Still, they had to endure a long-distance relationship and relocate to another state before settling down. Luckily, it was worth the wait. The Bride Christina Marks, 26, analyst The Groom Matthew Evans, 27, account manager The Date July 23 Once this twosome finally became engaged -- in the beautiful Duke Gardens of Durham, North Carolina -- the plans for a summertime wedding in the bride’s home state of West Virginia kicked into high gear. The two requirements for the perfect day: Christina and Matthew wanted to get married in a church and have the reception in a hotel since the majority of their guests would be traveling from afar. The result was a ceremony in the bride’s childhood church with a cranberry red, white, and platinum hued wedding at a golf resort in Fairmont.

The couple decided on a color scheme of cranberry red, white, and platinum. “We really loved the romantic look and timeless feel of red,” says Christina. The head table had lace skirting and was sprinkled with rose petals and accented with the bridesmaid bouquets and rose bouquets, both placed in vases.
Christina wore a white satin Mon Cheri gown adorned with a floral lace and crystal beaded bodice. “I wore a floral and crystal choker that was given to me by Matt on my 25th birthday, a few months before the wedding,” says the bride.
The Bridal Bouquet
The ceremony took place in the bride’s hometown church. Christina chose to decorate minimally using only red flowers on the altar and a candle arrangement. Christina’s five bridesmaids each wore strapless satin cranberry red A-line gowns with matching embroidered shawls. They wore pearl earrings and a necklace that the bride herself made for them from pearls and Swarovski crystals.
“We made our own invitations and programs; created our own table numbers, centerpieces, and card box; and set up a special guest book,” says Christina. “Even though it was time consuming, it worked out great for us because we were able to personalize our wedding, save some money, and keep all of the creative control over how we wanted things to look.”
The Ceremony Decor
Christina and Matthew’s white, three-tiered cake was served topped with chocolate-covered strawberries. Each tier of chocolate with raspberry filling and white cake with cream cheese and chocolate chip filling was accented with a band of red ribbon.
Cocktail hour ended with a slideshow of Matthew and Christina with “Crush” by Dave Matthews Band playing in the background. In the middle of the show the couple was introduced and had their first dance to the same song.
The Boutonniere