Amanda & John: Colors and Cultures Explode in Boones Mill

Amanda Trostle and John Kinney met eight years ago when they were in a band together. Amanda was a rhythm guitarist, and John was a singer. It wasn't long before they were composing their own personal love song.

THE BRIDE Amanda Trostle, a high-school Spanish teacher
THE GROOM John Kinney, an adult ESOL instructor
THE DATE July 26
THE SCENE The bride's parent's home in Boones Mill, Virginia

HITTING THE TRAIL The avid world travelers got engaged during a birthday (hers) hike in Shenandoah National Park. "John likes to take pictures," she explains, "and I usually want to keep trekking." So it was no surprise when John stopped so he could dig through his camera equipment. When he said to Amanda, "Hey, can you hold this for a second?" she absentmindedly stuck out her hand, expecting a roll of film or a lens cap. What she got was a tiny box containing an engagement ring.

HOME SWEET HOME When it came time to plan their wedding, they headed back home-or, more specifically, to Amanda's childhood home in Boones Mill, Virginia. The bride and groom each walked down the aisle of rose petals with both of their parents, finally reaching the base of a magnificent magnolia tree. A Celtic band played, and the wedding ceremony included a handfasting ritual.

MIX IT UP The celebration that followed had a Latin flavor. The music was an eclectic mix of Latin tunes and favorites from the past. "The overall theme was color and diversity," Amanda points out. Bouquets and centerpieces mixed vivid shades of red, orange, and yellow, and incorporated green apples, lemons, and oranges.

EAT, DRINK, AND BE MARRIED A bar was set up near a lovely stream, and the trees around the reception tent were hung with votive candles set in hanging mason jars. The 100 guests dined on grilled veggies with walnut pesto, peach barbecued chicken, and char-grilled salmon. Carafes of sangria were set on the tables, and a pyramid of fruit-filled chocolate cupcakes adorned with flowers and more fruit was topped with a small cake for the newlyweds to cut. Before the couple departed through a shower of sparklers, they boogied on the dance floor with their enthusiastic guests. Says Amanda, "I enjoyed watching various friends and relatives being ridiculous on the dance floor. My, how they love 'YMCA'!"

-- Lisa Carse
Photography © Jeff Greenough

For the ingredients that make up this wedding, see the right-hand side of the page.