West Virginia Executive Winter 2025 | Page 50

“ West Virginia is a very special place to us since my husband was raised there , I went to school there and that ’ s also where we met ,” Allie says .
She also emphasizes how helpful the park ’ s accommodations were when it came to wedding planning . She says the park ’ s various locations for holding a ceremony , both indoor and outdoor , helped them adjust the venue to the number of guests . The location was so beautiful in itself , they hardly had to worry about decorating . She also acknowledges the park ’ s Assistant Director of Conference Services , Kelli Trumbull , for her help throughout the process .
“ I was so nervous and had no idea what I was doing when it came to wedding planning , but Kelli was able to guide us through the process ,” Allie says . “ I also loved that we were able to have both the ceremony and reception at the park , which eliminated the need to arrange transportation after the ceremony .”
The wedding guests came from states ranging from Ohio to Florida and were amazed by what the Mountain State had to offer . They enjoyed encounters with local wildlife and took full advantage of outdoor activities like kayaking , paddleboarding and fishing . Allie shared that many close friends were so impressed by the experience that they ’ re already planning to return to the resort with their families .
“ We both loved the resort and would 10 / 10 go back ,” one friend shares . “ My husband golfed while we were there , I walked the trails , and we enjoyed hanging out at the lake house . The lake was gorgeous .”
“ It was beautiful , quaint , well-maintained and thoughtfully designed ,” says another friend . “ We loved the paths and how green everything was . I ’ d love to come back and spend a long weekend !”
Blackwater Falls State Park
Jenna Pye and Rob Horner , who live in Washington , D . C ., had been visiting the Mountain State for years before deciding to host their wedding at Blackwater Falls State Park . Hoping to get married with a beautiful natural background , they knew West Virginia was the perfect choice .
“ Blackwater Falls State Park offered exactly what we were looking for : a stunning outdoor setting and a place where all of our guests could gather and stay on site ,” Pye says .
With 75 guests attending the wedding , it was important to the couple that their friends and family could all stay comfortably on site together . Pye says Blackwater ’ s lodge and cabins did a great job of meeting their wishes , allowing them to host dinners at the park where all attendees could
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