Published: October 30, 2009 01:17 pm      

Capps, Bittner wedding

MCHENRY — Jessica Elizabeth Bittner and David James Capps Jr. were united in marriage on Oct. 18. 2008. The ceremony took place at sunset at a private, lakefront, log home. The double ring ceremony was officiated by the Rev. Harold McClay Jr.

The bride is the daughter of David E. and Laura N. Bittner of LaVale. Grandparents of the bride are Richard F. and Norma L. Bittner of Cumberland and James H. and Sally S. Irwin, also of Cumberland. Jessica’s only living great-grandparent, A. Louise McClelland, Cumberland, attended the wedding.

The groom is the son of David J. and Rhonda M. Capps of Lynchburg, Va., and Jo Ellen C. Capps, also of Lynchburg. Grandparents of the groom are Sally J. Capps of Lynchburg and the late Calvin Capps, Joseph and Ardith Coates, Madison Heights, Va, and the late Mae Coates.

The bride was given away in marriage by her parents. “Canon in D” was played as Jessica was escorted down the aisle by her father. The bride wore an Emerald Bridal ball gown with a reembroidered alencon lace bodice, encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The taffeta gown had an organza cathedral train and handmade camellias accented the draping on the skirt and formed a cluster in the center back. She wore a fingertip-length, tulle veil with a matching crystal bead edging. The bride’s jewelry consisted of a pair of journey diamond earrings, a gift from the groom, and a single pearl necklace that her mother wore on her wedding day, a gift from her husband. She also wore the wedding band belonging to her late great-grandmother, Violet M. Bittner. She carried a bouquet of sunflowers accented with red hypericurn berries, hand-tied with an ivory satin ribbon. The Lake Salon provided hair styling for the bride.

The groom wore a Ralph Lauren black tuxedo with an ivory vest and black bow tie. An ivory, Irish linen pocket square, monogrammed in burgundy, adorned his tuxedo pocket. All attire was from Bridal Images of Rockville.

Serving as maid of honor was the bride’s sister, Erica Bittner of Snowshoe, W.Va. Her bridesmaids included her long-time friends Andrea Brown, of Burlington, W.Va., Christie Files of Cumberland and Sarah Hauge, Washington D.C., cousin of the bride. They wore matching Bill Levkoff strapless satin gowns in European sable featuring a sash and a pick-up skirt over a crinoline slip. The maid of honor wore a taupe sash, while the bridesmaids had a champagne sash. They carried bouquets of orange gerbera daisies accented with red hypericum berries and a chocolate brown ribbon.

Father of the groom, David Capps, served as best man. Groomsmen were long-time friends Stuart Evans, Lynchburg, Keelan Pacot of New York City and college friend, Michael Howard, Wilmington, N.C. The groomsmen wore black, Ralph Lauren tuxedos with black vests and black neckties with the monogrammed handkerchief in their coat pocket, a gift from the groom.

Music for the wedding ceremony was performed by Lea Ann Martin. Wedding programs were distributed by Juslyn Fairall.

The wedding reception followed the ceremony lakeside. Blessings for the newlywed couple were given by the Rev. Harold McClay, along with the dinner grace. A dinner buffet was prepared by Ron Gulledge of Catering by Grizzly, McHenry. The menu featured filet mignon and salmon with a blackberry, white wine sauce. Toasts to the couple were given by the best man and maid of honor. The bride’s father also shared sentiments for the bride and groom. The tented reception was decorated with cornstalks and pumpkins accented with amber lighting, hanging autumn colored paper lanterns and mum topiaries adorned the ceiling. Table centerpieces included two designs. Some had 30-inch wooden towers wrapped in grapevines and topped with flower arrangements of gerbera daisies while others had a trio centerpiece consisting of a gingerbread cake scented cake candle, a bottle of Girasole Pinot Noir wine and a gerbera daisy floral arrangement. All decorations, floral arrangements and reception centerpieces were designed by Tina Gallucci and the staff of Country Garden Expressions, McHenry. Favors were caramel apples tagged with a photo of the engaged couple put together by Catering by Grizzly.

The four-tier wedding cake, a pumpkin cake, was covered with cream cheese icing, decorated with fresh sunflowers and topped with a monogrammed, crystal encrusted “C” and was baked by Jennifer’s Desserts. Serving the cake was the bride’s aunt, Sue Ellen Hauge, Knoxville, Tenn. Lakeside Creamery provided the ice cream.

The couple danced their first dance to “No Doubt About It” by Neil McCoy. The bride danced with her father to “My Little Girl” by Tim McGraw. The groom danced with his mother to “I’ll Be Seeing You” by Andrea Morcovieci and he also shared a dance with his stepmother to “Unforgettable” by Nat King Cole.

Photography for the wedding was provided by Linda Crayton of Great Falls, Va. Wedding coordinator was Leslie Glenn.

The rehearsal dinner was arranged and hosted by the groom’s father at the lakefront home. The event was catered by Ron Gulledge.

The couple was honored at an engagement dinner hosted by the bride’s parents at Pine Lodge Steakhouse in McHenry. The bride was honored with two bridal showers. One given by her coworkers at Total Wine & More in Potomac and the other hosted by the bridal party at Savage River Lodge, Frostburg.

The couple honeymooned in Europe. They toured Madrid and Barcelona before embarking on a Mediterranean cruise to France and Italy.

The bride is a 2001 graduate of Allegany High School. She earned her bachelor of science degree in e-Commerce from Towson University in 2005. She is employed at Total Wine & More in Potomac as a supply chain specialist.

The groom is a 1999 graduate of E.C. Glass High School, Lynchburg, Va., a 2003 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, with a bachelor of arts degree in criminal justice, and a 2006 graduate of the University of South Carolina with a master’s degree in international hospitality and tourism management. He is employed by Marriott International as a data management analyst in Bethesda.

The couple resides in Frederick.

Wedding guests traveled from West Virginia, Virginia, Delaware, Tennessee and South Carolina.