Published: October 16, 2009 03:51 pm      

Bena, Kasecamp wedding

FRIENDSVILLE — One year ago today, on Oct. 18, 2008, Amanda Lindsay Kasecamp and David Thomas Bena were married in a double ring ceremony in front of 200 close friends and family members at the historic Chanteclaire Farm in Friendsville. The ceremony took place in a waterfront gazebo on the farm, with the reception immediately following inside the restored barn.

The bride is the daughter of Terry Lynn Kasecamp and Lawrence Kasecamp and is the stepdaughter of Terri Kasecamp, all of Frostburg. The groom is the son of Isabelle Bailey and Eugene Bena and is the stepson of Nancy Bena, all of Baltimore.

Amanda was escorted down the aisle by her father, Lawrence Kasecamp, to the tune of Louis Armstrong’s “La Vie En Rose.” She wore an off-the-shoulder French-inspired ivory lace and organza gown with matching ivory peep-toe lace heels brought from England. She carried a bouquet of exotic tulips and roses in fall colors. In addition to her pear-shaped diamond engagement ring, the bride wore diamond and pearl earrings and her late grandmother’s wedding ring on a chain of white gold around her neck. Instead of a veil, she wore two ivory lilies in her hair.

The bride’s younger sister, Lauren Kasecamp, served as her maid of honor. She wore a red tea-length empire waist silk and satin dress with a sheer overlay. Abby Brauer, cousin of the bride, served as flower girl and wore an ivory satin gown with red trim. Bridesmaids included Amanda’s three closest friends Kristin Winebrenner, Leah Scarpelli and Amanda Negley, as well as the groom’s sister Amy Bena, and the bride’s future sisters-in-law, Moriah Geis and Emily Hager. The bridesmaids wore red tea-length bubble hem satin dresses with spaghetti straps and carried miniatures of the bride’s bouquet. Hair for the bridal party was done by Peggy at PS Hair in Frostburg.

Dave was accompanied at the altar by his older brother, Drew Bena, as his best man. Amanda’s brothers, Michael Kasecamp, Brian Kasecamp, and Ricky Weimer, also served as groomsmen. Cousin of the bride, Wil Brauer, served as ring bearer. Dave wore a black tuxedo with ivory vest and details. The father of the bride, groomsmen and ring bearer all wore black matching tuxedos with red vests and details. Tuxedo rentals were provided by Crestmont Gentleman’s Apparel of Frostburg.

Terry Kasecamp, mother of the bride, was escorted down the aisle by her two sons, Michael and Brian Kasecamp. Terri Kasecamp, stepmother of the bride, was escorted down the aisle by her son, Ricky Weimer. Local radio personality Jeff Henry, a close friend of the couple, officiated the ceremony. Amanda and Dave wrote their own vows and ended the ceremony by sharing their first married kiss to the song “At Last” by Etta James. They exited the ceremony under a shower of dried lavender.

A jazz cocktail hour immediately followed the wedding on the lower level of the barn. Favors for the wedding included hand-stamped muslin bags of dried lavender and a variety of locally made fruit butters individually sealed with the couple’s monogram. Table decorations included natural outdoor arrangements of rocks, wild grasses and flowers in fall colors. The guestbook was designed and hand-sewn for the couple by bridesmaid and local artist Kristin Winebrenner. The couple hand selected all of the music for the event, which was provided by Sounds Fun Entertainment. Photography was provided by Moriah and Ed Geis of Moriah K Photography.

Toasts were given in honor of the couple by the mother of the bride, Terry Kasecamp; friend and bridesmaid, Leah Scarpelli; brother of the groom, Drew Bena; friend of the couple, Mike Richmond; and father of the bride, Lawrence Kasecamp. A dinner buffet was prepared and served by Chef Christiane Bergheim, owner and proprietor of Chanteclaire Farm. She also designed and created the four-tier red velvet wedding cake, which featured a custom topper of handmade fabric birds in mock replica of the couple made by an acquaintance of the bride.

Dave and Amanda shared their first dance to the song “All I Want Is You” by Barry Louis Polisar. Amanda danced with her father to Paul Simon’s “Father and Daughter.” The couple cut their cake to “You’re My Best Friend” by Queen and later shared another special dance to “Simple Man” by Lynyrd Skynyrd before leaving the reception for their honeymoon.

The couple spent their honeymoon driving and hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway from Virginia to Tennessee, with extended stops in Asheville, N.C.; Atlanta, Ga.; and Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

An English tea party-themed bridal shower was held for the bride by her family and close friends at her mother’s home in Frostburg earlier in the month. The couple held their rehearsal dinner at Giuseppe’s Restaurant in Frostburg.

Dave graduated from Dulaney High School in Baltimore in 2001. He went on to earn both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology from Frostburg State University. He is currently employed by Western Maryland Health System in Cumberland.

Amanda graduated from Beall High School in Frostburg in 2001 and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in history and English literature from Washington College in Chestertown in 2005. She is currently working on her master’s degrees in both history and library science. She is employed by the Allegany County Library System.

Dave and Amanda reside in Frostburg with their kitten, Beatrice. They would like to thank their families and friends for all of their love and support. It was truly the most wonderful day.