Published: July 17, 2008 02:00 pm      

Kristina Hanft, Bryan Ray exchange wedding vows

ROCKY GAP - One year ago, on July 21, 2007, Kristina Maria Hanft and Bryan Scott Ray were united in matrimony. The double ring ceremony took place by the lake at Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort. Pastor Stevie Leydig from the Hyndman (Pa.) Ministry Center officiated the wedding.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hanft of Cumberland. She is the granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jay Hartman, Mrs. Gloria Hanft and the late Mr. Wendell Hanft of Cumberland. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Scott Ray of Poolesville. He is the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. William Ray of Leesburg, Va., and the late Mr. and Mrs. Bob Ball of Laurel.

The bride was escorted to the altar by her father and grandfather. The bride wore a Mori Lee strapless gown with cascading embroidery and was cinched at the waist with a beaded satin band. The gown had a flowing A-line skirt that was trimmed at the hemline with bands of satin and embroidery onto the chapel-length train. The bride wore a fingertip-length veil edged with rhinestones and pearls. The bride's jewelry consisted of a pearl and rhinestone necklace and earring set. On her way to the altar, the bride carried a bouquet of pink and white roses accented with pink stargazer lilies.

Serving as matron of honor was Mrs. Elizabeth White, Mount Airy, friend of the bride. Maid of honor was Miss Bethany Strawderman, Frederick, friend of the bride. Bridesmaids were Miss Kellie Ray, Poolesville, sister of the groom; Mrs. Jessica Wagoner, Inwood W.Va., friend of the bride; Miss Lacey Smith, Cumberland, friend of the bride; Miss Cassie Murray, Shepherdstown, W.Va., friend of the bride; Miss Lisa Binnix, Cresaptown, friend of the bride; and Miss Christie Gerolstein, Annapolis, friend of the bride. The flower girl was Miss Makenzi Jenkins, Cumberland, family friend of the bride. All were attired in two-piece turquoise dresses with a strapless asymmetrically draped bodice decorated with rhinestone buttons and paired with a ruched skirt by Mori Lee. The bridal party carried bouquets of pink and white roses created by Reba Kriglein of Victorian Creations.

Serving as best man was Mr. Matthew Ray, Poolesville, brother of the groom. Groomsmen were Mr. Joe Brown, Barnesville, friend of the groom; Mr. Matthew Hanft, Cumberland, brother of the bride; Mr. Richard Davis, McLean Va., friend of the groom; Mr. Scott White, Mount Airy, friend of the groom; Mr. Jimmy Ward, Poolesville, friend of the groom; Mr. Joey Wheeler, Damestown, friend of the groom; and Mr. Matthew Lord, Frederick, friend of the groom.

The harpist for the ceremony was Mrs. Lynne Barnes-Dale. The song "Wind Beneath My Wings" was sung during the ceremony by vocalist Angel Leydig. Program attendant was Miss Lorraine Sweitzer, family friend of the bride.

After the ceremony, the bride and groom released doves as a symbolism of their marriage. A prop plane flew overhead as an added surprise, congratulating the newlyweds. Candles were lit at the ceremony and reception in memory of Retta Wilfong, great-grandmother of the bride, Wendell Hanft, grandfather of the bride, Ethal Ball, grandmother of the groom, and Robert Smith, close family-friend of the bride.

The wedding reception immediately followed the ceremony at Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort in the Greenridge Ballroom. The tables were decorated with two-tier flower arrangements that matched the bride's bouquet on top of overlapping turquoise tablecloths. A double-heart ice sculpture and chocolate fountain awaited the guests. The dinner was catered by Rocky Gap and included sautéed chicken breasts and grilled beef tenderloin. The wedding cake was a four-tier marble cake accented with red rose petals and monogram lettered cake toppers. The cake was made by Brenda Elza of Daily Bread Bakery in Fort Ashby, W.Va.

Photography was provided by Enuff Ideas, Cumberland, and videography was provided by Michael's Digital Imagery. The couple and their guests danced the night away to music provided by Sounds Fun Entertainment. The couple danced their first song to "From this Moment" by Shania Twain. Toasts were given to the bride and groom by the father of the bride, the best man and the maid of honor.

Guests were greeted on Sunday morning with a brunch hosted by the groom's parents at Rocky Gap. The following day the newlyweds left for a nine-day stay at the Sandals Grande Resort in St. Lucia.

The bride was honored with three bridal showers given by her mother at Best Western, the groom's mother at Dutch's Daughter in Frederick and the faculty of Spring Ridge Elementary. The rehearsal dinner was given by the groom's parents at Rocky Gap Lodge & Golf Resort.

The bride is a graduate of Allegany High School and a cum laude graduate of Frostburg State University, where she obtained her bachelor's of science degree in elementary education. She is currently employed by Frederick County Public Schools where she teaches fourth grade.

The groom is a graduate of Poolesville High School and Frostburg State University, with a bachelor's of science degree in business. He is employed by Woodlawn Mechanical as a project manager in Gaithersburg.

The couple currently resides in Frederick with their two dogs, Bailee and Daisee, and cat Chloe.

The couple would like to thank their parents, family and friends for making their wedding day a dream come true!