The Shadow
Lori Jacqueline Whitehead and Kenneth Robert Keister exchanged their wedding vows July 11, 2009 at the War Memorial Chapel on the campus of Virginia Tech. The Rev. Michael Fleenor performed the 6:30 evening candlelight ceremony with organ music provided by Kathy Hollandsworth.
Lori is the daughter of Mike and Judy Whitehead of Covington and the granddaughter of Mary Whitehead, also of Covington, and the late Maynard Whitehead, Will Shawver Jr., and Edna Shawver Whitehead.
Ken is the son of Judy and Jay Shorter and Robert Keister Jr. and the grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Harris, all of Radford, and the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert Keister.
The chapel was lit with aisle candles, candelabra flanking the marble alter table, a free-standing unity candle, and cascading candelabra behind the altar. Two larges vases of fresh yellow gladiolas adorned both sides of the altar in memory of Lori and Ken’s grandparents. Groupings of pillared candles were also placed on the altar and at its base.
To complete the setting were votive candles on the altar railing, yellow and white rose petals lining the edges of the marble aisle leading to the altar, and lighted ficus trees throughout the chapel. Arrangements of yellow gladiolas were placed on both sides of the entranceway of the chapel, where the guestbook and programs were attended by Josie Shawver of Vienna, cousin of the bride.
The bride’s sister, Brooke Carnevali of Roanoke, was the matron of honor and college roommates Shelby Myers of Alexandria, Rachel Williams of Christiansburg, and Amanda Ingoe of Culpeper were bridesmaids. They wore formal gowns of navy blue satin and chiffon overlays. The dresses had halter-style bodices, a ribbon sash at the waist, and flowering skirts.
Each of the attendants carried wrapped bouquets of fresh yellow roses. Maddie Wade of Chesterfield County, cousin of the bride, was flower girl and wore an ivory gown of satin with a lace overlay. The petal basket she used was the one the bride used when she was a flower girl over 20 years ago. Gabriella Carnevali, the bride’s infant niece, was honorary flower girl and wore an ivory satin dress with an empire bodice and satin and tulle skirt that was accented with a navy blue sash.
The attendants entered the chapel as soloist Faren Billue of Radford, sang “At Last.” The bride was escorted down the aisle by her father and given in marriage by her parents as the organ processional, Pachebel’s Canon in D, was played.
The bride wore an ivory strapless gown of satin that featured a sweetheart neckline and lace-covered bodice that gathered softly on the side where lace appliqués trailed down the skirt and the chapel-length train. Her elbow-length ivory veil was edged with satin, and she wore tear-drop pearl earrings with a pearl bracelet. Her satin-wrapped bouquet was of ivory roses accented slightly with greenery around the edges.
The groom chose his brother Matthew Keister of Radford as his best man and groomsmen were Chris and Devin Shorter, stepbrothers of the groom, also of Radford, and close Adam Artrip of Radford, and Bryan Frye of Christiansburg. Ushers were Christian Whitehead of Covington, brother of the bride, and Bill Carnevali of Roanoke, brother-in-law of the bride.
They wore black Calvin Klein suits with navy blue vests, as did the father of the bride, while the groom’s vest was ivory. The ushers’ and groomsmen’s boutonnieres were made of yellow freesia, and the groom had a white freesia boutonniere.
The bride’s mother wore a silk suit in sage while the groom’s mother chose a two-piece dress with an ivory lace top and lavender tiered skirt. Each wore a wrist corsage of white freesia.
Following the ceremony, guests posed outside the War Memorial Chapel for a group photograph and then walked to Owen’s Hall on the Virginia Tech Campus for a cocktail reception and dance hosted by the bride’s parents.
Throughout the room, tables were decorated with fresh white flower arrangements, pillared candles, and yellow rose petals. Vases of yellow gladiolas were placed in the foyer, on the fireplaces at each end of the room, and on the gift table.
The three-tiered ivory cake was centered in a wreath of fresh yellow roses and topped with a nosegay of yellow roses. The groom’s cake table featured assorted cupcakes decorated in maroon and orange Hokie pompoms, too. Guests were treated to a surprise visit from the Virginia Tech Hokie Bird who led them in the Hokie Pokie and then posed for pictures.
The groom’s mother and stepfather hosted a rehearsal dinner on Friday night at Bull and Bones Brewery in Blacksburg. The bride had several prenuptial parties, including a shower in Hot Springs given by her aunts and several in Radford, one by her sister and another by neighbors. A brunch was also given in Radford the day of the wedding by her co-workers.
The couple honeymooned at Riveria Maya, Mexico, and now resides in Radford where both are employed by Radford City Schools. Lori is a graduate of Alleghany High School and Radford University, where she is also completing her graduate studies as a Reading Specialist.
Ken completed both his undergraduate and graduate degrees at Virginia Tech and received an endorsement in Administration from Radford Univeristy.
