A European Retreat

Following their Parisian engagement, Abby Wadsworth and Jay Cline brought a touch of France back to West Virginia.

Abby Wadsworth and Jay Cline
Rohrersville, MD | 06.01.24

written by Julie Perine
photographed by Emma Stamey Co.

Abby Wadsworth and Jay Cline first laid eyes on each other in September 2020 at Big Cork Vineyards in Rohrersville, Maryland. His inspiration for working there was his passion for agriculture. She was there completing her capstone in biochemistry at Shepherd University. “I was told I should reach out to Jay, the assistant winemaker,” Abby says. “We started talking about science and ended up talking for hours.”

Their Paris engagement catapulted their storybook romance towards its happy ending, culminating in a vibrant celebration at Rock Spring Retreat in Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia, on the afternoon of June 1, 2024. Under a large oak tree and between two wine barrels with cascading flowers, Abby and Jay said their “I do’s”—but not before a magical and emotional first look. “We saw each other in the yard at the venue, and we both started bawling,” Abby says. “I never had a moment like that. It was beautiful.”

She was dressed in a white A-line ball gown with a large floral overlay and a sweetheart neckline, a dress she had fallen in love with at Garnish Boutique in Baltimore. “It was the seventh dress I tried on, and it was absolutely gorgeous,” Abby says. “It was a sample dress, and it fit me perfectly.” She wore the same teardrop pearl earrings that her mother had worn at her wedding and white satin pumps with a champagne cork heel. Tucked into the pocket of her wedding gown was her Nanny’s blue handkerchief. “I did cry a lot, so it came in handy,” Abby says.

That first look was Jay’s favorite moment of the day. “I experienced a storm of emotion, and she looked heartbreakingly beautiful,” he says. The groom wore a custom-made green linen suit with a feather bow tie from Indochino in Georgetown, D.C., and braided brown leather shoes. “He looked so handsome, and, in the moment, I just felt really lucky,” Abby says.

a french touch

Both a French theme and elements of the winery where the couple met were incorporated into the wedding. “I love the aesthetic French style, and we wanted it to be classic and chic,” Abby says. Late-spring florals from Sungold Flower Company in Dickerson, Maryland, were the perfect backdrop. “I loved the flowers. They were so beautiful, with lots of peonies, snapdragons, and other unique flowers.”

Among the couple’s favorite elements of the wedding were the Perrier bottles tagged with seat numbers for the guests. “The sun shone onto the green glass, and everyone had beautiful water to drink. It was such a nice, welcoming entry,” Abby says.

When the time came, Abby was escorted by her father while classical guitarist Alex Barnett played Gymnopédie No. 1. Her bridesmaids wore lavender crepe gowns, while the groomsmen sported taupe linen suits with bow ties. The couple exchanged traditional wedding vows. “My cousin Brittany was the officiant, and family members provided readings. Having all of them included in the ceremony was very important to us,” Abby says. The couple walked down the aisle as they were showered with white confetti.

Showcasing a lavender citrus spritz made with Blanc de Blanc from Big Cork Vineyards, a cocktail hour took place on the lawn, which was adorned with vintage furnishings, including garden sculptures and an aged glider bicycle with live flowers planted in the signature basket.

dream wedding

The reception took place in a high, peaked tent with chandelier lighting. A European Summer picnic theme incorporated sage and white gingham tablecloths adorned with colorful florals, fresh fruit, vintage brass candlesticks, and twine-wrapped votive centerpieces. A wooden trellis draped in mulberry branches and lighted raffia lanterns hung over the bridal table. “My mom snuck a lot of just sweet little things into the wedding without me even knowing,” Abby says. “She even put ribbons with bees and lavender on the back of my and Jay’s chairs.”

To start the festivities, Abby and Jay shared a first dance to a cover of “You Don’t Have to Change for Me” by Kool and the Gang. The bride then danced with her dad to “The Rain, the Park and Other Things” by the Cowsills. “Both Jay and my dad spun me so many times—which was great fun for the dances—but the whole bustle of my dress broke,” Abby says. “It was a hilarious start to the reception.”

The dinner menu featured a fresh chopped salad with Parmesan vinaigrette, aromatic lemon-roasted chicken and herb braised beef, honeyed julienne carrots, and new potatoes in garlic aioli. “The food was delicious. We worked with Canapés Catering at the winery, and I got to know a lot of the staff. Having them there was special.”

Rather than a wedding cake, the couple opted for an Italian cookie table. Among the variety were cannolis—which the bride’s mom filled the morning of the wedding—and pizzelles, made by a coworker at Big Cork Vineyards. Guests were gifted white linen bags filled with candied bomboniere almonds.

After a night of dancing and celebrating, the Clines left through a tunnel of sparklers. “Between the ceremony and the reception, there was a pace and a peace that we deeply related with and enjoyed,” Jay says.

Abby agrees it was the perfect day. “Bringing our families together, we were just so happy,” she says. “It was the wedding you dream of.”