Better Together in Barboursville

Bailey LeighAnn Whanger & Sean Christian McCallister
Liberty | 11.20.21

photographed by Brittany Dean Photography and Mark Anthony Photography

Bailey, a native of Hurricane, met Sean, originally from Barboursville, when they were students at Marshall University. Three years later, Sean proposed on the Duck boardwalk during the couple’s beach vacation to the Outer Banks. Bailey said yes, witnessed by at least 100 sea gulls and two friendly security guards who offered the first “Congratulations,” to the newly engaged couple. The couple chose HoneyBee Hills as the setting for their big day. Bailey wore a romantic long-sleeved, tulle lace ball gown that was delicately beaded to add a touch of sparkle.

She carried a fall-colored bouquet with willow eucalyptus, toffee and burgundy roses, bronze and burgundy mini chrysanthemums, and bronze amaranthus for color. The groom wore a navy blue, three-piece suit with a gold tie and lace pocket square made from lace leftover from the bride’s gown alterations. Both Bailey and Sean are band directors, and in preparation for their wedding, they had their students write descriptions of what love meant to them on notecards. The cards were on display for the ceremony and reception, and added so much more love to their already love-filled day.

Guests dined on a charcuterie table and drank from the bar for a brief cocktail hour before moving to the full reception. Probably the most unique party activity was the cat toss. The couple are both animal lovers and supporters of the ASPCA. They arranged to cover the adoption fees for a cat in the shelter and threw a stuffed cat into the crowd to determine the recipient of the gift. There was a wedding cake, cupcakes, and an ice cream cart to satisfy any sweet tooths in the room. Dancing and laughter continued well into the night. Following a wedding trip to Savannah, Georgia, Bailey and Sean returned home to Huntington to begin their married life together.