Love Among the Hills

West Virginia natives Erin Barberio and Mike Gray bring touches of home to Maryland.

written by Julie Perine

photographed by Rocha & Co Photography

After marrying her perfect match in the rolling green hills of Cumberland, Maryland, Erin Gray paused to take it all in. She felt so lucky. “I took a second to look around and just appreciate everyone and everything. And the fact that we had almost all our friends and family in one place, that truly just made us so happy,” she says.

It was a scene that had played out over the course of seven years, one that started with a chance meeting between Erin and Mike. “We met through mutual friends during college. We just happened to be at the same place at the right time,” she says. It was Mike’s outgoing personality that initially attracted Erin. And Mike says, in addition to being “the most beautiful girl in the world,” Erin has the biggest and kindest heart.

Although they had dated for five years, Mike was able to catch Erin off-guard with a very creative proposal in March 2021. A spring break trip to Las Vegas—Mike’s favorite place—was just the right backdrop. “We were watching one of the fountain shows in front of the Bellagio Hotel when a guy came up to us and asked if he could show us a few magic tricks, and of course we said yes,” Erin says. “He did two or three tricks and, on the last one, he gave Mike a blank card and asked him to show me the card.” It revealed four words that turned Erin’s world on a dime. “I was absolutely shocked and had zero idea, while everyone around us was cheering and clapping for us!”

it’s all in the details

From Clarksburg and Bridgeport respectively, Erin and Mike had relocated to Alexandria, Virginia, for work purposes. They decided to hold the wedding at a midway point and found that Cumberland’s StoneBridge Events met their expectations. “With all the greenery, hills, and perfect weather, it made us feel like we were home in West Virginia,” Erin says. “And even though our wedding wasn’t in West Virginia, I still utilized vendors from there to make it feel as much like home as we could.”

Erin went dress shopping at Coni & Franc in Morgantown with her mom, stepmom, grandmothers, maid of honor, and future mother-in-law. She said “yes” to a mermaid-style Val Stefani gown with lace and beading details. “I love sparkles, so I knew that was a must! It was truly made for me,” she says. “It made me feel beautiful and brought tears to everyone’s eyes.”

On June 3, 2023, in a picturesque setting, the most beautiful wedding Erin had ever seen took place. And it was hers. “Some of my favorite moments were getting ready with all my best girls, having my special moment with my mom as she helped me into my dress, and my first looks with my dad, brother, and stepdad,” Erin says. She carried a bouquet of white roses, baby’s breath, and greenery. Her mom had surprised her with “something blue,” a bouquet wrap that featured her grandfathers’ pictures. Mike wore a shark gray suit and vest, white shirt, and ivory tie. Erin gifted him personalized cuff links that paid tribute to his late brother.

Prior to the ceremony, Erin and Mike read letters they had written to each other; personal and intimate messages for their eyes only. When the ceremony began, “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri played as attendants entered in gowns of various styles, all in dusty sage. “Then, it was my time to shine and shake off the nerves! I was walked out by my dad, and then met at the beginning of the aisle by my stepdad. They both walked me down,” Erin says. “The Good Ones” by Gabby Barrett played as they made their way down the aisle. “My favorite part was when she says, ‘You’ll know him when you see him by the way he looks at me,’ and let me tell you, my husband’s reaction didn’t disappoint and had everyone crying!”

Mike remembers the moment vividly. “I wasn’t sure if I would cry, but I bawled like a baby when I first saw her and during the entire ceremony.”

time to party

A reception followed. “It was simple and elegant, but I still got my rustic feel with the beautiful farmhouse tables,” Erin says. A photo booth entertained guests during cocktail hour and the reception. A light-up sign that spelled LOVE was another popular photo prop.

The couple kicked off festivities with their first dance to “Better Together” by Luke Combs. Their special dances with parents followed, and soon everyone was on the dance floor. “We decided to skip the traditional money dance, bouquet toss, and garter toss so we could have an all-out party,” Erin says. “The dance floor was one of my favorite things about the reception—everyone just having a blast!”

The couple themselves were having so much fun that they forgot to do the traditional cake cutting. Cookies were served, along with ice cream straight from an ice cream truck. “We aren’t huge cake people, so it was perfect for us,” Erin says.

The last two songs of the evening were “Sweet Caroline”—West Virginia style—and “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

The wedding was everything they hoped for and so much more. They honeymooned at Sandals Royal Bahamian Resort in the Bahamas. They plan to travel as much as possible in the early years of their marriage and eventually start a family.

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