Sept. 18, 2010

St. Agnes Catholic Church, Shepherdstown, W.Va., and The Barn at Springfield Farm, Williamsport

Maggie Krzywicki always knew she wanted a rustic fall wedding. Last year, in late September, she and Bobby were married in an idyllic countryside setting. Family, friends and Nature celebrated the nuptials, with colorful leaves swirling like confetti in the gentle breeze.

A color palette of harvest tones — brown, green and orange — inspired the wedding party’s attire and the flowers. Rich brown tuxedoes from J&B Bridals and Formals in Chambersburg, Pa., and chocolate brown bridesmaid dresses from David’s Bridal were ideal canvases for vibrant green neckties and bouquets of tangerine-colored roses. For the flowers, Maggie entrusted her blooms to her grandmother’s florist, Van Tol’s Village Florist in Shepherdstown, W.Va. Pastel orange and crisp white roses, green hypericum berries and maroon-speckled orchids were clustered into her opulent bouquet.

When it came to her dress, romance and whimsy tickled Maggie’s fancy. The pleated bodice, luxuriant full skirt and beaded sash of the Mori Lee dress fit her naturally. Flirty skirt pockets and covered buttons running down the back of the gown cinched its appeal. Special touches to her ensemble included her great-grandmother’s fine lace handkerchief  —“something old” — and pearl jewelry: a bracelet from her parents and earrings purchased last year by Maggie and Bobby at a pearl market in Beijing.

On their wedding day, the couple headed to Shepherdstown, the place of their courtship. A Hagerstown native, Maggie met Bobby, who was born in Virginia and raised in New Jersey, when the two were students at Shepherd University. They chose St. Agnes Catholic Church in the heart of town for their ceremony. Afterwards, for their photo session at Morgan’s Grove Park, the newlyweds jumped behind the wheel of a shiny black Corvette. “My Dad and I have been fixing up a 1977 Corvette since I was 16 years old,” Bobby says. “It was nice for us to be able to drive away in a car that I have put so much time and effort into.”

The festivities continued at The Barn at Springfield Farm in Williamsport, a venue rich in countryside charm. “We wanted a place that wasn’t too formal but still looked very elegant, and the barn was the perfect spot,” Maggie explains. The picturesque setting provided the wow factor that the couple had hoped for. “One of my favorite features of the barn is the large doors. We were praying for good weather, and it turned out to be a perfect that day,” she recalls. “The doors were open during dinner, and it was a perfect moment to see everyone’s reaction and to know all our hard work paid off.”

Specialist businesses within Williamsport supplied the evening’s cuisine; Leiters’ Fine Catering served dinner, and Cindy’s Sweets baked tiers of “Yellow Butter Nut” cupcakes. A candy buffet suited the groom’s sweet tooth. Personalized M&Ms, Hershey’s Kisses in autumn-colored foils and Bobby’s personal favorites — candy corn and gummy pumpkins — glistened in tall glass jars and wide bowls, beckoning celebrants to fill up a jam jar for a sugary wedding favor.

After sunset, strings of white lights and wax candles of all shapes and sizes illuminated the barn. A warm glow enveloped the space, setting an intimate mood for Maggie and Bobby’s first dance, and flickering shadows of the happy couple followed them across the floorboards as they waltzed together into married life.

by Vanessa Amar + photos by Jessica Fike

Originally published in HM May/June 2011