Heigh Garden

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

Our story begins on a cold wintery evening in Charleston, West Virginia. It was December 4, 2021. Elleyse was out working and having a couple drinks with one of her good friends. While she and Rob were messaging, he decided to meet her at Bridge Road Bistro located in the South Hills of Charleston, WV. When Rob walked in the door, he and Elleyse instantly hit it off. They began talking and chatted for the rest of the evening. They went on several dates to see Christmas lights in Logan, WV and Gallipollis, OH. On January 6th, 2022 they became officially boyfriend and girlfriend. They shared many great memories and big life events leading up to their engagement on December 2, 2023 at the Wilkerson Christmas Tree Farm. We look forward to celebrating our love with our closest family and friends on September 28th! Please feel free to post your favorite pictures from our big day with our wedding hashtag: #DiVitaFamilyof3

Our Story

Photos

My name is Luca DiVita. I am the son of Elleyse and Rob. I enjoy attending Kindermusik classes each week, playing with my puppy Laska, watching Sesame Street and Ms. Rachel each morning, going on rides in my cozy coupe car, and dancing to music.
I am so excited to celebrate my momma and dada's big day!

Luca DiVita

My name is Willa DiVita, and I am a niece to the groom, Rob DiVita.  I love doing cheer and tumbling, plus I am participating in an inter-neighbordhood swim team. I am so excited to be a part of my new Aunt Elleyse and Uncle Rob's wedding! 

Willa DiVita

Hi! I'm Bella DiVita, I'm a niece to the groom, Rob DiVita. I love hanging out with family and friends, and I'm a senior at Woodstock High School. I did gymnastics for 13 years, and played flag football for my high school's team. I'm so excited and honored to be a part of my Uncle Rob and Aunt Elleyse's wedding!

Bella DiVita

Hi! My name is Lauren and I’m from Charleston, WV. Elleyse and I met at WVU through Delta Gamma. After college I moved out west, I came back to Charleston in 2018 and shortly after that Elleyse and I reconnected and have been close ever since. Elleyse and I bond over our love for animals and the outdoors. My dog Rylan, who I lost in 2022 and Laska were very good friends! I work in the orthopedic medical device field and cover the region, I’ve spent many nights at Lori’s and Mama’s when I’m up north. Elleyse and I have a lot in common through our sales careers and we always get to catch up when we’re doing windshield time. The picture you see here is of me and my horse, Vino. Elleyse actually took this picture and it’s one of my favorites! Elleyse and I love hiking, taking walks and going to dinner. It’s always fun to have Luca there with us too. I hope to take him on many Kanawha State Forest adventures when he’s old enough! I’m so happy for Elleyse and Rob and their families. This is such an exciting journey they’re about to embark upon and I’m so grateful to be a special part of it! 

Lauren Mabe

Hello! My name is Maria. I currently live in Morgantown, WV with my husband Zach, daughter Gianna and son Vinny. When I’m not playing my full-time mommy role, I teach part-time for John’s Hopkins University CTY. I grew up in Bridgeport, a grade ahead of Elleyse, but did not become close with her until her freshmen year of college at WVU. Let’s just say the rest is history. I’ve always found Elleyse to be one of those friends that no matter how much time we spent apart, when we see each other we can pick right back up, like we were together the whole time without missing a beat. The first time I got to really spend time with Elleyse and Rob together was at the Italian Heritage Festival, alongside some of his family last year. I knew immediately that she had picked the right one and they were truly meant to be together. The picture above is when Elleyse was right by my side celebrating my wedding with me. I’m beyond honored to take my turn of standing beside her on her special day. I can not wait to celebrate with Rob, Elleyse, Luca and their families. 

Maria Seamon

Hi there! My name is Kristen. I live in Morgantown, WV with my husband, Nick and baby girl, Rosalie. I also work as a physical therapist at Move Right Performance Therapy. I grew up in Bridgeport, WV, which is where Elleyse and I met. We've known each other since Kindergarten - 1997! We've grown a lot since then and have shared many fun memories! One of my favorite memories is our roadtrip to Maine in 2021. Our next fun adventure is navigating motherhood together and watching our babies play together. I'm so thankful to have Elleyse in my life. I believe that she and Rob make a beautiful couple. I am so honored to be a part of their wedding and I can't wait to celebrate their love on September 28th!

Kristen Johns

Hi, I’m Jess. 😊 I live in Bridgeport, WV and I’m a Digital Production Analyst for MVB Bank. Elleyse and I went to high school together but she was a grade below me, so we were always friends but became really close once we got to college. We have had some very fun times over the years. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and have made lots of memories! Since we do not live in the same town anymore, we aren’t able to talk/see each other as much as we used to but anytime we hang out, it’s just like the old times……maybe just a little less wild lol. I cherish our time together and I am honored to stand by her side on her wedding day. I’m so excited to see what the future holds for you and your family. Congratulations to Elleyse and Rob! ♥️🥂

Jess Koon

Being cousins, Elleyse and I always had the family bond! While we grew up far away, we always made the most of the time we had together during family events and visits to each other through the years. From inheriting her clothes and sleepovers at Tutus, to seeing her become a mom to the new star of the family, Luca - I’m so happy to have been apart of so many life milestones for Elleyse. Now including getting her married! I’m so excited to be apart of getting her to her new added title of “wife”. Cheers!

Taylor Este 

Gentle readers,

My name is Bryan DiVita, I am the oldest  brother and best man to Rob DiVita.  My childhood was spent growing up in Charleston, riding BMX thru the streets and ravines of Kanawah City, and later lived in the DC Metro area as a young adult, enjoying the nightlife and music scene, doing my best to bring some of that scene to Sissonville whenever I pulled in for a visit.  Besides my brothers, I think everyone else just thought I was loud.  Be that as it may, I think I can righteously claim fame to The Pharcyde being introduced to Sissonville High School via Rob.

Today, I'm a cyber security professional who lives in Woodstock, Georgia, with my patient and beautiful wife, Amanda, and our two girls, Bella and Willa. 

As a proud father and husband, I have only wished the same for Rob, as I know these are the only true things that really matter to me, measured against all other experiences.  I've watched Rob yearn for the same.  I've waited like he has for the opportunity and timing of when he would find his own family too, and now he has.  There isn't a richer, more prosperous feeling as to when you finally have your own family, and to this, I'm very happy for not only Rob, but his best friend, Elleyse.  

For all of this, I'm happy to celebrate this joining and celebration and look forward to spending time together with all of our extended family.

Bryan DiVita

Hello! My name is Christopher. I live in Pittsburgh, PA. Since 2012, I have owned
and operated my law firm focusing in private equity, securities regulation, and real
estate syndications. When I am not working, I like to spend time traveling and
following my outdoor pursuits wherever they take me. I am the brother of Elleyse,
and could not be more proud of all her successes. I know she also has a passion for
traveling and the picture here is of the two of us on a family trip to Ireland in 2017. I
will be pleased to officially call Rob a brother-in-law, and look forward to the many
family vacations and memories that will be made. This is going to be a very special
day for Elleyse, Rob, and Luca, but also everyone who will be there…as it marks the

joining of two families. Let’s Go Mountaineers!

Christopher Gemondo

I first met Elleyse Nicole Gemondo Sunday April 17th, 2022 at the Phoenix airport where Nancy
and I met her and my son Rob as we all were enroute to Sedona, AZ for a fun-filled vacation. I
have to say, when she walked with Rob to our meeting point in the airport, I felt great pride in
knowing Rob had found such a lovely young woman. We visited with my brother Nick and his
wife Ann, while in Sedona, as part of our journey,
I could tell they were both thrilled to be visiting such an idyllic part of the country with its red and
orange mountain overhangs surrounding the very peaceful city landscapes. Elleyse and Rob
were very attentive to each other the entire week. We had a very busy schedule trying to do as
much as we could in that beautiful part of the country. Nancy and I couldn't have been more
pleasantly surprised at Elleyse's joy of getting her US National Park book stamped at the
national parks we visited. That was our introduction to Elleyse and to the now “Rob and
Elleyse”.
Time has moved on and we have spent more and more time with Elleyse and Rob and their
extended families during the holidays, getting to know each other even more. It's also nice to
know people who love the Clarksburg, WV Italian Heritage Festival as much as we do!
We were all so thrilled with the prospect of being new grandparents, new aunts and uncles, and
new cousins everywhere. And I can tell you honestly, Luca Joseph did not disappoint. All of you
will meet him during the wedding weekend. Oh and I must mention Laska, Luca’s very furry
brother. He’s a beautiful snow white Siberian Husky.
Now the wedding is around the corner and we hope to meet all of you during the various
occasions. Good luck to both Elleyse and Rob on this very special occasion!

Steve Divita

Wedding Party

Q + A

The rate for the block of rooms at the Embassy Suites in Charleston, WV is $149 plus taxes and parking. If you have already made a reservation, make the new reservation first, then cancel the old reservation. Make a reservation one of 2 ways: 1. Call the hotel directly (304-347-8700) and book using the group code: GDW OR 2. On-line link for Gemondo and DiVita Wedding:<a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=CRWEMES&amp;arrivalDate=2024-09-26&amp;departureDate=2024-09-29&amp;groupCode=GDW&amp;room1NumAdults=1&amp;cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=CRWEMES&amp;arrivalDate=2024-09-26&amp;departureDate=2024-09-29&amp;groupCode=GDW&amp;room1NumAdults=1&amp;cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink</a>

Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston

West Virginia International Yeager Airport

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Travel

Come see why Charleston’s year-round Capitol Market is a vibrant part of West Virginia’s capital city. Tucked in a turn-of-the-century train station, the indoor-outdoor market offers an exciting mix of farm goodness and specialty shops. Pick up seasonal goods to enjoy now and WV-made gifts to take home. Enjoy seafood, sushi or just-carved meat from the butcher. Order soup, salad or a sandwich from one of the many lunch hot spots, or pop in to a lively Italian restaurant for a sit-down meal. Grab a coffee while you shop and artisan chocolates, exotic cheeses and wine to enjoy later at home. They’ll remind you of a great day spent at the market!

Capitol Market

Shops and Dining at Capital Street

Fife Street Brewing is a celebration of craft and community. We love West Virginia, and we’ve made this place for our town — for authentic and inclusive experiences over great beer, food, and conversations.Our beer is classic and fresh while bold and familiar. We’ve got a beer to please everyone from the hard-working joe, to the family gatherings, to the weekend adventurer. Come grab a brew and discover the taste of Charleston for yourself.

Fife Street Brewing

Located on Capitol Street in beautiful downtown Charleston, WV, Taylor Books is an independent bookstore, coffee shop, café, and art gallery. Opened by Ann Saville in 1995, Taylor Books has become a landmark and must-visit destination. We invite you to take advantage of our broad selection of books, wide variety of hard-to-find magazines and unique collection of cards and gifts. Come by the cafe to enjoy a scone or a cup of coffee and take advantage of our FREE WI-FI.Explore local contemporary art and handmade crafts in the Annex Gallery. Feed your creative side by taking a class in our Annex Studios. Whatever your pleasure, we invite you to make yourself at home, whether you’re in-store or online.

Taylor Books

Welcome to Ellen’s Homemade Ice Cream, a beacon of sweet delights nestled in the heart of downtown Charleston, WV. Since opening our doors in September 1997, we've been passionate about serving the community with scoops of happiness, one cone at a time.A New Chapter Begins In April 2022, our beloved founder Ellen decided to hang up her apron and pass the ice cream scoop to a new team. Stepping up to continue Ellen's legacy are the dynamic trio — Aaron and Marie Clark, a dedicated husband and wife duo with a fervent passion for the craft, and the award-winning Chef Paul Smith. With their combined expertise and love for artisanal ice cream, Ellen's is poised to soar to new heights while preserving the essence that makes it special.Made with Love Every icy treat you taste here — be it our creamy ice creams, zesty sherbets, smooth gelatos, or refreshing sorbets — is crafted right on our premises. We believe in the magic of homemade, and it’s a tradition we uphold with every batch.More than Just Ice Cream Though our ice creams are the star of the show, Ellen's is also a haven for those seeking more. Whether you're in the mood for a warm cup of coffee, a comforting mug of tea, or a wholesome lunch, we've got you covered. Dive into our delicious homemade soups, fresh green salads, hearty pasta/grain salads, and mouth-watering wraps. Plus, for our vegetarian and vegan friends, our menu is rich with choices tailored just for you.Indulge in the Classics Who could resist a good old-fashioned Banana Split or a Hot Fudge Sundae, especially when the hot fudge is made in-house? Pair it with our own homemade brownies, and you have a treat that's truly divine. That's not all — from our baked-to-perfection cookies to our moist carrot cake cupcakes, every dessert at Ellen’s promises a journey of flavors.At Ellen’s, every visit is an experience. Here, you can enjoy a nutritious lunch and follow it up with a decadent dessert. Because, why not? Life is short, and we believe in making every bite count.Come, join us at Ellen’s, and let us serve you a slice of our world, where every treat is made with love, care, and an extra sprinkle of joy.

Ellen's Homemade Ice Cream

Shops at Bridge Road

1010 Bridge presents an exquisite dining journey; merging New American culinary art with essence of Appalachian traditions and the warmth of heartfelt hospitality. *Reservations Recommended

1010 Bridge

A modern tavern located in South Hills among the shops on Bridge Road.

Fernbank Public House

Lola’s Pizza is located&nbsp;inside of a cute little house in the South Hills area of Charleston, West Virginia. Our handmade, Neapolitan-style pizzas are served piping hot out of our stone hearth oven. Try one of our specialties — popular pies include our Fig Jam &amp; Rosemary, Spinach &amp; Feta, and Spicy Shrimp &amp; Sausage — or you can create your own. We offer dine in or carry out. If you are getting a pizza to go please ask us about our partially baked pizzas. We will cook your pizza halfway and allow you to do the rest at home. It is a great way to enjoy a pizza straight from the oven when it's convenient for you.

Lola's Pizza

Caffe Romeo has been serving Charleston with Authentic Italian, fresh homemade Gelato (ice cream) since 2017. Our Gelato is made in an artisanal way with personalized recipes, prepared with the best ingredients on the market from Italy. All the equipment used is top of the line and our Carpigiani is truly the "Ferrari" of ice cream machines.

Caffe Romeo

Get to know this 1.4-mile out-and-back trail near Charleston, West Virginia. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 37 min to complete. This is a popular trail for birding, hiking, and road biking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The best times to visit this trail are March through October. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Sunrise Carriage Trail

Discover a world of music, theater, art and science at one of the most unique venues in the country. Visit an interactive museum with art and science exhibits of its own and traveling exhibitions from around the country, become immersed in a giant screen film or planetarium show on a 61-foot dome, hear world-class performances by renowned entertainers and more – all under one roof! With so many educational and cultural activities, the Clay Center has something for everyone, and it’ll keep you coming back for more.

Clay Center

Our goal is simple: Use seasonal ingredients to create healthy food that’s nourishing, delicious and makes you feel great.&nbsp;Located in the heart of downtown Charleston, guests can enjoy simple, seasonal and delightful dishes in our casual, relaxed environment. Open Monday through Friday for breakfast and lunch. We are so excited to see you! Stay safe and much love.

Coco’s

Hale House is a bourbon style Bistro conveniently situated in the downtown Charleston historic district. Arriving guests are immediately embraced by the natural wood tones and unique materials used throughout the décor that boast of a reminiscent place and time. The relaxed, and yet refined, surroundings help to create a serene mood and contentment among the patrons. The mostly made from scratch and locally sourced menu is bolstered by a spirit list of more than 300 choices for your tasting pleasure, with over of 240 of those being bourbons and whiskeys. The inviting atmosphere, delicious food, and premium spirits all come together in a harmonious blend that, when combined with the top- notch service, bring to you a five -star dining experience. But you don’t have to take our word for it…

Hale House

The West Virginia State Museum is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and enriching the lives of the public by instilling a deeper understanding and sense of pride through the collection, preservation, and exhibition of diverse cultural and historic traditions, focusing on every aspect of West Virginia history, culture, art, paleontology, archaeology, and geology from all geographic regions--representing the people, land, and industries. To schedule a tour group with the West Virginia State Museum, please contact our Museum Education Coordinator, Nathan Barner at (304) 558-0020 ext. 185 or e-mail our Museum Education staff at wvmuseumed@wv.gov

West Virginia State Museum

At first glance, what appears to be an opened puzzle box is actually, The Veterans Memorial in Charleston, West Virginia, which was built to commemorate the lives lost of fellow Virginians in the wars of the 20th century. P. Joseph Mullins designed the memorial with the names of the soldiers who lost their lives inscribed into the granite of the memorial as well as four bronze sculptures that resemble the different factions that were at war with each other. It is definitely worth a visit when in Charleston.&nbsp;

West Virginia Veterans Memorial

Located seven miles from Charleston, Kanawha State Forest is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. The forest has more than 60 miles of hiking and biking trails, picnic areas and diverse wildflower, tree and bird populations. Amenities include picnic shelters, playgrounds and camp sites. In-season hunting is permitted in specified areas for hunters with a valid license.

Kanawha State Forest

Yen's Sandwiches is a Vietnamese Restaurant &amp; Sandwich shop that features fresh baked Vietnamese baguette stuffed with traditional proteins such as pate, pork roll, and red pork ha. We also offer the essential Vietnamese dishes such as pho noodle soup, vermicelli bowl in a small dining room. You can also find sweet desserts such as bubble tea, smoothies, and rice pudding at Yen's Sandwiches.&nbsp;

Yen's Sandwiches

The Olive Tree features a Boars Head deli to get fresh meats &amp; cheeses, as a made to order sandwich to enjoy dining in or carryout. We offer several specialty sandwiches such as a Mediterranean grilled chicken wrap, a Cuban, a "real" philly cheesesteak, Italian hoagie, gourmet grilled cheese, mediterranean grilled cheese &amp; more! We feature Nathan's hot dogs &amp; also offer many mediterranean delicacies such as hummus, grape leaves, salads etc. Dinner choices are second to none! From our fresh black Angus petite fillets chargrilled Mediterranean style, fire roasted Mediterranean chicken, brought in fresh twice-weekly sea scallops, fire roasted shrimp, fresh mahi with a mango pineapple salsa, incredibly thick porterhouse cut lamb chops, lamb kebab… the choice is up to you!

Olive Tree Cafe and Catering

Kin Ship was founded in 2009 in Louisville, Kentucky by Dan Davis and Hillary Harrison and has grown to a team of more than a dozen people based in Charleston, West Virginia. We design cozy apparel and home goods inspired by rabble rousers, mountain mornings, labors of love, and dusty keepsakes. In addition to our in-house line, we also carry things made by other independent artists that we admire. In addition to our lil store, our goods are sold in over 60 shops across the country and around the world. Our stuff has been worn by some fine folks you might know, like: Patti Smith, Mindy Kaling, Tyler Childers, Jennifer Garner, Lucinda Williams, Reggie Watts, and The Strokes. We’ve done collabs, custom projects, and hosted events with Pathway to Paris, Stay F. Homekins, Wyatt Cenac, Aaron Draplin, Will Oldham, Michael Hurley, and lots of nice people doing good things.It’s been a fun + wild ride so far and we’re looking forward to lots&nbsp;more fun&nbsp;things in the future. Thanks for helping us make this crazy dream a real thing. Stay cozy.

Kin Ship Goods

The Best of Crete has been serving authentic Greek food to the Charleston area since 1983. My parents Joann and William, along with my brother Greg started the shop in the Charleston Town Center mall.&nbsp;We moved to our current location (816 Beech Ave) in 2015. Our hours are Tues.- Friday. 11a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition to our store front, we will cater you next business meeting or event. Call us at 304-343-3292.

Best of Crete Deli

The 7th generation of the Dickinson Family has revived their salt making heritage to create an all-natural, artisanal salt organically gathered from a pristine, 400 million year old sea, deep below the Appalachian Mountains. Their small batch, hand-harvested, solar-dried salt is produced using environmentally sustainable techniques on the same farm in Malden, West Virginia where William Dickinson began making salt almost 200 years ago. Free tours are available from April to November.

J.Q. Dickinson Salt-Works

A Greek Revival gem, Craik-Patton House dates back to the year 1834. The historic structure is built with four gigantic pillars and features a magnificent facade. Visitors can explore the structure through tours, reservations are highly recommended. One can explore the beautiful gardens taking a stroll around it.

Craik-Patton House

Sky Zone

Blenko has been creating mouth blown and hand cast architectural glass and art glass since 1893 in America. *Factory tours available

Blenko Glass Company

It’s been 25 years since this West Virginia hillbilly and California city girl followed our dreams of being together and opening a weenie stand along the riverbank of the Ohio River in Lesage, West Virginia.&nbsp;In the fall of 1999, we built a 12x16 building on the land where Sonny grew up and&nbsp;Hillbilly Hotdogs opened its doors for the very first time on September 6, 1999 but then we closed three days later so we could get married - we have renewed our vows over 30 times since! A decade and a half later, we are still crazy in love and still going strong. We have outgrown and upgraded from that 12x16 building; we added two old school buses and we continue to grow more and more every day. We owe our success to all of you thousands of weenie lovers who visit us each and every year.

Hillbilly Hot Dogs

The New River Gorge National Park &amp; Preserve is America’s newest national park located&nbsp;in beautiful Southern West Virginia.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Welcome to Trails Heaven, a system of professionally managed trails that are the most enjoyable in the country! The Hatfield-McCoy Trails is made up of over 1000+ miles of trails and located in the rich mountains of southern West Virginia. As one of the largest off-highway vehicle trail systems in the world, Hatfield-McCoy Trails is open 365 days a year and offers something for every skill level.Trails range from the scenic mountain views of Pinnacle Creek, to the tight and twisting trails of Bearwallow. Many trails connect to West Virginia’s ATV friendly towns‚ where visitors can grab a bite to eat and experience true Southern hospitality.The goal of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails is to provide the finest recreational experience in the country, and with praises from&nbsp;Dirt Wheels, ATV Illustrated, ATV Sport, Dirt Rider, and ATV Magazine,&nbsp;as well as television features on&nbsp;Outdoor Channel&nbsp;programs such as&nbsp;Fishers ATV World, Dirt Trax TV&nbsp;and others, it seems people are taking note. West Virginia is known as “Almost Heaven,” so it’s only natural the Hatfield-McCoy Trails have become known as Trails Heaven. If you have questions, feel free to call the Hatfield-McCoy offices at&nbsp;<a href="tel:1-800-592-2217" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">1-800-592-2217</a>.

Elleyse & Rob

Elleyse & Rob

Travel

Embassy Suites by Hilton Charleston

West Virginia International Yeager Airport

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