Ben Schaffle and Geneva Harrison's wedding was saved by their tremendous vendor team, who helped ferry guests (and the bridal party) across a flooded highway and moved their entire outdoor reception inside in mere hours.
Kimberly Florence Denn
Wedding date: October 12, 2019
Number of guests: 180
Bridesmaid gift: Oversized denim shirts
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Kimberly Florence Denn
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Kimberly Florence Denn
// Curfew Savior
Last time we checked, curfews are generally not one of teenagers’ favorite things. But what if a curfew is a reason for romance? Geneva Harrison met Ben Schaffle at a high school party in 2010. “He was the cute guy from Kent Island, and I’m pretty sure he had no idea who I was,” she says. Fortunately, parental restrictions intervened and, when Geneva needed help backing her car out of the driveway to make it home on time, Ben was her salvation.
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// The One When She Fell Asleep
Four months later, Ben, home from college, invited Geneva to the movies for their first date. He picked her up in his minivan (with no heat, in November!) and the couple headed to the theater to catch a showing of Tron. Though she never admitted it, Geneva had zero interest in the sci-fi sequel and actually fell asleep during the feature. Thankfully, her 3D glasses kept her sacrilege secret.
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// Dancing Shoes
Geneva had three pairs of wedding shoes, which she says is a testament to how indecisive she is. She donned red heels through the first dance (Ben is a foot taller so she wanted extra height), olive green Converses, and custom Vans with Ben’s face printed on them for the remainder of the reception. “As long as the shoe was comfortable, fun, and [a color other than] white, I was sold,” she says.
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// The Giveaway
Because Geneva and Ben were having a Catholic mass, they couldn’t write their own vows, but they were still able to reflect on their relationship by exchanging notes beforehand. Another special ceremony moment Geneva planned was a double hand-off with her dads. “I am really close with my step-dad, but I didn’t want to take away from my [biological father’s] moment of walking me down the aisle, so my step-dad waited for us at the altar and they gave me away together,” she explains.
Kimberly Florence Denn
// The Great Flood
As a Kent Island native, Geneva expected there might be minor flooding when she realized her wedding at the Kent Island Yacht Club coincided with a full moon. But nobody could have anticipated how much the water would rise. Because of space limitations, there was no contingency plan to move the reception inside. The forecast for the weekend was good, Geneva and Ben had rented heaters, and, in case of wind or heavy rain, they could always push the tent against the Yacht Club building. It was a great plan, under normal circumstances, but, unfortunately, this wedding was about to be rocked by abnormally high tides. At 2:45 p.m., while Ben and Geneva exchanged their vows at St. Christopher’s Church three miles away, the couple’s vendors decided to pull the plug and move everything inside. By the time guests made it to their cars, parked under the Kent Narrows Bridge, there was no way to cross Route 18. Geneva’s uncles, cousins, and random waterman started funneling guests to the club’s entrance in their pickup trucks, and, from there, everyone was transported in the back of a box truck belonging to the tent rental company. “If it were not for Ebb Tide, I truly don’t know how we would have even got there,” Geneva says. The couple later learned that this was the worst flooding the area had seen since Hurricane Isabel, in 2003. Yet, remarkably, their wedding didn’t suffer. “Our vendors were just amazing,” Geneva says. “Without their determination to pull off the day, it would have gone much different.”
Kimberly Florence Denn
// Unity Grog
A conspicuous shamrock chalice made the rounds during Geneva and Ben’s reception, with members of both families sharing sips of its boozy contents. “It’s been shipped all over the country for weddings,” Geneva says of the heirloom cup. “Everyone drinks out of it as a way to symbolize two families coming together as one.”
Kimberly Florence Denn
// The Details
Bride’s hair: Tina Blott of Pretty Weird Beauty Bride’s jewelry: Zachary’s Jewelers Bride’s makeup: Ashley VanSant of Pearl Hair Studio Bride’s gown: Enzoani (designer) & Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection (shop) Bridesmaid dresses: Azazie Caterer: Smokehouse Grill, llc Ceremony Venue: St. Christopher’s Church Dessert: Peace of Cake & Piazza Italian Market Florals: The Flower Shop Invitations: Minted Men’s attire: JoS. A. Bank Music: Steve Moody’s Entertainment Connection Ring: Manly Bands (groom) & Sam’s Club (bride) Styling: Pretty Little Wedding Co. Tent and rentals: Ebb Tide Tent Rentals Videographer: Allen Cork II Photography
