Berlin, Md. vineyard hosts wedding for contest winners
Windmill Creek Vineyard and Winery in Berlin, Md., and Encore Events by Angie Gillis recently co-sponsored a wedding giveaway contest open to first responders or active military members residing in or stationed on Delmarva.
Interested couples submitted their love stories for a chance to win an all-inclusive wedding package for 75 guests.
Because of their unique story and dedication to serving the local community, Ashley Kelly and Kevin Lane were selected from all the eligible entries. Ashley works in the emergency department of Peninsula Regional Medical Center in Salisbury, Md., and Kevin is a Maryland State Police trooper with the Berlin Barrack. The two met while both were on duty, and their journey to the altar began. Their wedding was held July 27.
To make the prize wedding package truly spectacular, Windmill Creek and Encore Events team members reached out to some of their favorite vendor-partners, who donated nearly $25,000 worth of goods and services. Donations included a tent, decor, florals, photography, a photo booth, DJ services, a specialty cocktail, hotel rooms, a golf package, hair and makeup services, heirloom jewelry on loan for the bride, a catered buffet for the reception, and a catered rehearsal dinner.
“When our local wedding industry friends learned how we wanted to make a big splash to honor one lucky couple’s service to our community, the response was swift and overwhelming,” said Angie Gillis Unkart of Encore Events.
Jeannie Mariner of Windmill Creek said, “Our collective vision was to make this wedding turn-key, one-of-a-kind and completely unforgettable.”
The military/first responder angle was important to both sponsors. “My husband Barry and I are U.S. Air Force veterans, and Angie comes from a military family with Army service, so putting together A Front Line Affair for a service-oriented couple was both an honor and a labor of love,” said Mariner.
The wedding day was a success thanks to the generosity of local business owners and vendors including Coastal Tented Events, Taste Events, Men In Black Wedding Officiants, Mother’s Cantina, Manda Weaver Photography, Sandals Bridal, Black Diamond Catering, Salon 16, Gilbert’s Provisions, Starr Restaurant at River Run, River Run Golf, Residence Inn by Marriott of Ocean City, Copy Central of Ocean Pines, Chloe Ferber Beauty, DJ J Spinz, CM Baker and Shasta Shutterbug Photo Booth, Baked Desserts Cafe, Evolution Craft Brewing, Quality Inn Ocean Front, Ocean 13, Tim Coiner-Williams Custom Cocktails, Beth and John Sharpley of Coastline Chemical Co. and generous private donations. More event photos can be seen on the Windmill Creek Facebook Page and the social media accounts of all of these local businesses.
