Smith-Barnhart Wed at Heritage Village

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Smith/Barnhart
Wed At Heritage Village

Updated on Wednesday*:

On Saturday, Oct. 18, 2008, friends and families of Erin Lynn Smith and William Clayton Barnhart stepped back in time at Calhoun County Park, when the two were united in marriage at Heritage Village. The wedding was held at 12:15 p.m., followed by a reception. Approximately 100 people witnessed the ceremony. The couple was married in front of the one-room schoolhouse, with Rev. Greg Swisher officiating.

Guests were seated on straw bales, provided by David Cain, covered with colorful quilts. Erin wore an antique white gown and a short veil. She carried a bouquet of roses, Gerber daises, mums and goldenrods, created by Charlie Whipkey. She was accompanied down the aisle by her father Keith Smith. Procession music was provided by Evan Cunningham and Michael Stewart, members of Ocean City Sky Line band, who also played during the reception.

Following the ceremony, guests were ushered to the black-smith shop for a lunch of chili, potato soup and vegetable soup, made by the couple’s mothers, and a variety of breads, dips and sandwiches, made by family members. The wedding cake was an untraditional variety of hummingbird, red velvet, carrot cake and chocolate, made by the bride’s mother. Guests enjoyed punch, made by Bea Robinson, and ice tea, made by the sister-in-law and sister of the bride, along with coffee provided by Jim Bell, a member of the park board.

The tables were adorned with brightly colored table clothes, made by the bride, with natural crop centerpieces tied with ribbons. She honored the memory of her late grandfather, Herb Smith, by providing each guest with a jar of “Herbert’s High Quality Honey.” Herb was instrumental in the growth of the park, the building of the barn, and the maintenance of the park. In addition to harvesting honey from his bees, Herb enjoyed playing bluegrass music with his friends or anywhere that a guitar player was needed.

The wedding was a vision imagined by the bride. As soon as work at Heritage Village started, she knew this was where she wanted to be married. Erin, Clayton and their families expressed thanks to all who attended and helped prepare, set-up, participate and clean-up.

The newlyweds will reside in Wirtz, Va., where Clayton is a Virginia Conservation officer and Erin is enrolled in graduate school studying architecture at Virginia Tech.

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