Scott and Shalee with her boys Ben and Sean
Scott Shumiloff and Shalee Nash had originally planned to get married next summer, but they didn’t want to wait that long. So Shalee proposed an attractive alternative: a tailgate wedding.
When Scott told me it was his fiance’s idea to get married at the Oct. 4 tailgate, I told him he had a keeper. And to top it off, Saturday is also Shalee’s birthday.
The physician assistant, a West Virginia native who has lived in Pittsburgh for the past 15 years, understands that college football Saturdays are as sacred as nuptials to sports fans. That’s why she and Scott are going to tie the knot in the gold lot Saturday morning before WVU takes on Kansas at 4 p.m.
For the ceremony, Shalee will wear a lovely white WV jersey and Scott will wear a gold one. Her sons Benjamin, 7, and Sean, 5, will give her away.
They expect at least 100 people to attend the wedding, which will be at 9 a.m. in the gold lot section facing University Avenue.
A family affair
Shalee’s wedding attendants will carry a WV-themed bouquet like this
Although a tailgate wedding falls under the category of non-traditional, Scott and Shalee are quick to point out that it’s definitely a family affair.
Morgantown native Billy Page, who is married to Scott’s cousin, will officiate and Shalee’s cousin Stormy Matlick will be the photographer.
Her cousin Misti Reynolds will be her maid of honor. Her bridesmaids will include her best friend Amy Schulte, goddaughter Karsten Davery and friend Rachel Burack.
Scott will have 2 best men, Chuck Fortney and Dan Martin, and 2 groomsmen, TJ Johnson and Patrick Daley.
Their mothers, who met at the Country Roads Quilt Shop in Morgantown, have made an altar for the ceremony and Shalee’s grandma is making a WV-themed cake, which will be topped with a Mountaineer football player and cheerleader.
There’s no doubt that Saturday will be the most epic tailgate in Morgantown history. I’m just sorry we have to miss it. Dave and I will be in Eatontown, NJ, for another wedding.
Ironically, just like Scott, we also met the couple who are getting married in New Jersey through tailgating.
Congratulations and best wishes to Scott and Shalee!
How happy Me, Vicki, Lee, and Traci are for you both. May you enjoy a blessed, happy and long, long life together as one. GO SCOTT AND SHALEE AND GO MOUNTAINEERS
How happy Me, Vicki, Lee and Tracey are for you both. May you enjoy a Blessed, happy and long,long life together as one. GO SCOTT AND SHALEE AND GO MOUNTAINEERS!