by Susie Kramer
A week before they were to be married, an invitation was sent to the entire town.
The September 12th, 1958 issue of the Ligonier Echo urged everyone, with the unmistakeable title of 'COME TO THE WEDDING,' to witness the union of Miss Mary Jane Berkey to Mr. Robert Shaw. It was a much anticipated event, to be 'one of the highlights of the three-day mercantile promotion!' Everyone who was to attend Ligonier's Bicentennial Celebration the following weekend was invited to witness this wedding 'on the public square'. As a feature in the 'Old Fashioned Days' portion of the festivities, the bride and groom would arrive in a carriage, and would don 'all the fuss and feathers of yesteryear'.
Mary Jane Berkey was absolutely terrified.
Hundreds and hundreds of people were crowded into the quaint town center, with all eyes on her. She was very worried that it would be a spectacle, that there would be too much noise, too much commotion.
"But," she said, "when we said our vows, and when the minister said the words, 'I now pronounce you man and wife,' the entire town was just — silent. You could hear a pin drop."
In 1894, the center of the town of Ligonier, Pennsylvania was dedicated as 'The Diamond Park'. A wooden 'Music Pavilion' was erected where the Ligonier Cornet Band would play. Refurbished several times, including its most recent renovation during the 2017-18 Diamond Park Renaissance, the Ligonier Bandstand is the jewel of the town center, and the most important focal point and gathering place in Ligonier.
The bandstand itself is the inspiration for paintings, art, and jewelry, and a favorite subject for photographers — but it has a particular draw for brides.
Ligonier locals know that brides and bridal parties standing under the bandstand's roof are a common sight on weekends during the warmer months. Some of those brides are sharing their stories and photos here, as they fondly remember the role the Ligonier Bandstand played on their wedding day...
Mike and Nicole Bridge were married during Christmas time on December 30, 2006.
"Our family was so worried they'd have to drive in a blizzard when we decided on a winter wedding. It was unseasonably warm that evening, about 57 degrees! We barely needed the gorgeous capes my aunt made for us, because it was so warm."
Alyssa and Brandon Lape had a “small town life” wedding, officiated by Mayor Butch Bellas, on June 21st, 2014 on the Diamond in front of about 120 members of their family and friends.
"It was a perfect summer day — a light rain in the morning for luck, then
sunshine all day. We didn't have a ton of money, (ahhh, young love) but with such a beautiful venue, we didn't need ceremony decorations. It's always photo ready! After our ceremony, we took photos on the Diamond and in the Town Hall courtyard, and then headed to Cooperstown Event Center for an evening of fun and dancing. Almost 6 years later, we're still going strong! It's fun as someone who works in Ligonier to be able to see the place that I said my vows at every day. It still makes my heart smile."
Lauren (Corsaro) Burt and her husband, Greg, were married in the Ligonier Bandstand on July 20, 2014.
The couple were engaged after 6 months of dating while Greg was finishing his A-School training for the United States Navy. Upon graduating at the top of his class in June 2014, Greg was to report to his duty station Bremerton, Washington in August, where he would serve five years on a fast attack Seawolf class submarine — the 'USS Connecticut'. Lauren would join him there after completing her college degree. The couple only had five months to plan their wedding!
"It still brings tears to my eyes, reflecting back on this day and how much it meant to myself and my husband. We had no idea what kinds of challenges we were going to face, being a new military couple living across the country, over 2,000 miles away from family and friends, but we held steadfast to our commitment to one another. Looking back, it’s incredible the unquestioning faith we had in our future together... Pennsylvania, and the memories of our wedding on the Ligonier Diamond in July of 2014, will always hold a special place in our hearts. Oh yeah, GO STEELERS!!!"
Photos: Kathleen Giesey
Jeff and Kerri Contillo were married in the Ligonier Bandstand on October 21st, 2017.
Their vows were witnessed by 100 of their closest family and friends. Following the wedding, guests enjoyed a lively, twinkly-lit reception at The Ligonier Tavern.
Mike and Melissa Zimmerman were married on December 16th, 1995.
"We both graduated from Ligonier Valley High School in 1992 and have known each other since the first grade."
A.J. & Kelly Norris were married at Heritage United Methodist Church on June 14, 2008.
"It was the weekend of Antiques On The Diamond, and the only weekend in June that had a forecast for thunderstorms."
"We had small Disney decorations hidden throughout the reception since we got engaged at Disney World and would honeymoon there as well. Our table numbers were Mickey and Minnie bride and grooms and our favors were Mickey head shaped cookies."
"The one thing I wanted was our photos on the Diamond. Now every year when we come home for Fort Ligonier Days, we take a picture somewhere on the Diamond or at the United Methodist Church where we were married, almost 12 years ago."
(The photographer was a friend.)
Megan Zakraysek-Loughner and her husband, Nick Loughner, were married on December 2nd, 2017.
"It felt like my real life hallmark Christmas movie. Josh Groban Christmas music was playing and it was just magical. Every time we pass the Diamond at Christmas, we think of our favorite wedding pictures."
Erica and Brandon Yeo were married on October 26th, 2019.
"You're told over and over to be prepared for something to go wrong the day of your wedding. I thought this couldn't happen to me — I have back up plans for back up plans! It did happen to me. The morning of the wedding, our sewage lines were backed up, and out of commission for the day. The sewage company couldn't send anyone out until later that morning. Everyone was meeting at our house to get dressed, and have our pictures done. Thankfully we live in such a great place like Ligonier. We called the Ramada Inn, and they were able to get us two rooms that connected to each other... How perfect of a town do I live in? When things don't always go according to plan, it's great that I have such a great community and family to count on."
Photos: Robin Aukerman
Hope and Stephen Smithley were married on September 19th, 1998.
Stephen was a volunteer firefighter. "Fifteen minutes before the wedding, the fire whistle went off. I sent my sister out, because I thought it was a joke to get me excited. Nope - it was a real call!"
The bride told everyone to make sure her husband-to-be would NOT head out to answer that fire call!
Photo: J.J. Warell
Cassie & Del Nolfi were married on March 23, 2019.
The couple met at Saint Vincent College.
"Out of college, we both got jobs in Ligonier, myself as a teacher at the Valley School of Ligonier, and Del as an attorney in town. We knew we had to make Ligonier a part of our special day and were so excited to take pictures on the Diamond. The March weather miraculously cooperated and we had a beautiful spring day. We could not have asked for a more perfect day!"
Photos: Kylie Immel of Amber Lining Photography
Sean & Chrissy Sechrist were married on July 23rd, 2011.
"Our ceremony was held at St. Vincent Basilica and our reception was at the Ligonier Country Inn. It was about 100 degrees on our wedding day, but our photographer made the sweat look like we were glowing! A stop at Abigail's for some pre-dancing ice cream didn't hurt, either! It was a great party that we still talk about almost nine years later!"
Photos: Randi Voss Photography
Kara and Emmanuel Tangie were married on the Ligonier Diamond on September 9th, 2012.
Kara's best friend, Roxanne, introduced her to Emmanuel, in October, 2010. They were living in Dalian, Liaoning Province, China, where they were both teaching English.
"Our wedding was originally to be in June in Florida on the beach, but it was cancelled at the last minute due to governmental delays getting my fiance into the country from Cameroon. We got married in Ligonier by the mayor in September instead of June, and had our party and photos in October."
Photos: Candice Greiner
Brittany & Tom Cushing were married on August 9th, 2019.
"My husband and I both have always had such special memories in Ligonier. When I was younger, my dad would take us to the Ligonier Tavern every Valentine's Day for lunch. My dad passed away seven years ago, and this has always remained a special place to me."
Photos: Laura St. Amant
Shannon and Ed Malinoski kept it local all the way for their December 23rd, 2013 wedding.
The ceremony on the Ligonier Bandstand was officiated by Mayor Bellas, and the reception was held at the Wicked Googly. They stayed at the Campbell House Bed & Breakfast in Ligonier, and Carol & Dave’s Roadhouse provided them with a lovely catered rehearsal dinner the night before.
"Ligonier and the Diamond and bandstand are very special to us. Ed proposed to me on the bandstand on December 22nd, 2012."
Photos: the bride's sister, Jamie Clawson
Anne and Glenn Garrison were married at Heritage United Methodist Church on August 12th,1995. They will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary this August!
The couple met in college at Saint Vincent. They stayed in Ligonier after getting married for just 2 years before moving south to North Carolina for jobs. Originally, they planned to stay there for just a few years, but instead stayed in NC for nineteen years! In 2015, they had their son, Laken, and decided to move back to Ligonier where Glen was born and raised.
"We are so happy to be back in Ligonier to share this amazing lifestyle with Laken and are excited to share our picture and story!"
Photos: Richard S. McWherter
Laura and Dave Aiken were married in 1995 by Mayor Kim Shaffer.
"Dave’s Mom, Joann Aiken, is still a Ligonier resident. We love Ligonier!"
The sentiments above about the town of Ligonier and its beloved bandstand are shared by so many brides — who stood there on their wedding day, smiling for the camera, on the cusp of young love and a new chapter in their lives.
To all the brides on the bandstand who will pose under its roof in the future — don't be surprised to see the traffic slow around the Diamond while you are there, and local onlookers to take seats on the benches, just watching you in that moment. They are all simply taking in the sight of the beauty of love, and they might be reminded of their own special day under the bandstand's roof.
Thank you, brides, for sharing your stories with us!
“LOVE IS A PLACE” BY EE CUMMINGS
love is a place & through this place of love move (with brightness of peace) all places...