Rachel Marie Carpenter and Adam Steven Heller were united in the sacrament of marriage on July 3, 2010, at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Parkersburg. The ceremony was officiated by the Rev. John Rice.
The bride is the daughter of Mark and Cindy Carpenter of Parkersburg. She is the granddaughter of Mamie Carpenter and the late Augustus "Bryce" Carpenter of Parkersburg, and Jane Park of Valrico, Fla., and the late Ken Park of Parkersburg. She is a 2005 graduate of Parkersburg Catholic High School and a 2010 graduate of West Virginia University with a master's degree in elementary education. She is a special education teacher at Woodburn Elementary School in Monongalia County.
The groom is the son of Tom and Julie Heller of Vienna. He is the grandson of Raymond and Rita Heller of Akron, Ohio, and Herbert and Julia Carlson of Tallmadge, Ohio. He is a 2004 graduate of Parkersburg Catholic High School. He graduated from West Virginia University's College of Business and Economics with a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2008, a master's degree in business administration in 2009 and a master's degree in industrial relations in 2010.
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He is employed as an accountant for the WVU Foundation.
The bride was escorted down the aisle by her father. She wore a strapless wrap waist gown of ivory duchess satin adorned with hand beaded embroidery and applique. The corset-style back flowed into a chapel train with beading and embroidery flowing down the back of the gown. The bride's wedding look was completed with a fingertip veil of French net and crystals scattered throughout and her grandmother's pearl necklace.
She carried a modern, natural hand-tied bouquet of white gerbera daisies, oriental lilies, including stargazers and pale pink casablanca, which was finished with a scattering of white spray roses.
The natural stems were ribbon wrapped with white satin.
The bouquet was adorned with two butterflies in memory of the bride's grandfathers.
The maid of honor was Anne Heller of Vienna, sister of the groom. Bridesmaids were Sarah Rieser, Gillian Powderly and Laura Stealey, all friends of the bride. The bridesmaids wore a variety of tea-length satin navy gowns.
Each carried a hand-tied bouquet of pink garden flowers. Sara Ellem, friend of the bride, served as the flower girl.
Zach Gouzd, best friend of the groom, served as the best man. The groomsmen were Michael Gissy, Garret Jones and Aaron Hilton, all friends of the groom. Michael Heller, godson of the groom, served as a junior groomsman.
The groom wore a navy blue suit and a white dress shirt with a pink and white tie. Groomsmen all wore navy blue blazers, white dress shirts, khaki dress pants and various pink, green and navy ties.
Guests were greeted by Sheila Park, friend of the bride. Programs were hand out by Kirsten Park, Kaylin Park, Jordan Park, Austin Park and Justin Park, all cousins of the bride.
Dick Wildt, friend of the couple, and Emily Fabre, cousin of the groom, served as readers during the ceremony. Alyssa and Lauren Heller, cousins of the groom, read the intercessions. Marie Mallory, friend of the couple, served as the organist and Angie Lewis was the cantor. Katie Tennant and Mary Garvin served at the altar.
Following the ceremony, the reception was held at the Parkersburg Art Center.
The three-tiered stacked square wedding cake was wrapped in navy blue ribbon and topped with stargazer lilies.
Each layer was iced with buttercream frosting with alternating raspberry filled white and peanut butter-filled chocolate layers.
The couple made a donation to Parkersburg Catholic Schools, where they met, in memory of Rick Rieser, a friend of their families.
After a honeymoon in Naples, Fla., the couple resides in Morgantown.
