WFMJ WEDDING A marriage made in cyberspace

Voters in an online poll chose the dress, cake and even the honeymoon site.
By JAYME RAMSON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Heather Savarin and Jay Walton's dream wedding became a reality for them and area television viewers Friday, as they were married in a televised early morning ceremony at the Butler Institute of American Art.
Viewers of the "WFMJ Today" show selected wedding details, from the bride and groom to the honeymoon destination, in online polls.
After the voters chose Savarin and Walton in early April, the couple quickly learned to adapt to the spotlight. They frequented WFMJ's morning show and appeared as guests on local radio shows. All the appearances helped calm their nerves for the big day, Walton said.
"It's been busy, but we've enjoyed every single minute of it because we're of course not famous people so when you get in the spotlight it's a lot of fun," Savarin said. "We've enjoyed it every step of the way."
The Waltons saw a number of benefits to the televised wedding besides not having to pay the bill. One thing they did not have to worry about was choosing most of the major wedding details, which were in the hands of the voters.
"It's fun. We didn't have that whole year of planning," Savarin said. "Half of it's compacted into a couple of months."
Viewers' choice
Online voters chose the bride's dress, the cake, the floral arrangement, the catering theme and the honeymoon destination. The two said just about everything went their way with the voting.
"All of the options that they give, they're all beautiful. We would have been happy with anything," Walton said.
The voters picked Savarin's favorite dress of the three choices, a two-piece organza and Schiffli lace dress. The bodice was enhanced with an illusion neckline band and flowed over the controlled, A-line skirt.
Last year's winning couple, T.J. and Jasmine Rodgers, attended the ceremony, and both offered advice.
"I just told them the key is to communicate with each other and understand each other's points of view," T.J. said. "That's what me and Jasmine always try to work on, try to see where the other person is coming from and it helps to resolve issues that arise."
"I think they'll be happy together," Jasmine said. "I told them communication and prayer is the key, and just enjoy life to its fullest."
Planned as any wedding
WFMJ news director Mona Alexander said the key to the ceremony was making it seem like a regular wedding and then putting it on television. Alexander also serves as a wedding coordinator for St. Roberts Church in Cortland.
"The people and the venue and the flowers and the music, we just spent so much time trying to put everything together that you would put together for a normal wedding and then said, 'Wow, we need to get this on television' and brought our crew in, and we were just really fortunate. It just all meshed," Alexander said.
The bride's parents are George Savarin of 292 Marcia Drive, Austintown, and Karen Patterson of 145 Illinois Ave., Youngstown. The groom's parents are Jerry Walton of 103 Wesley Avenue, Youngstown, and Kimberly Obenauf of 561 Notre Dame in Austintown.
The Rev. Dave Watkins of Youngstown Baptist Church officiated, and a reception followed at the Butler.
After a honeymoon cruise in the western Caribbean, the couple will live at 527 N. Richview in Youngstown.
In bridal party
Maid of honor was Stacy Green, and bridesmaids were Renee DeGenaro and Heidi Logan. They wore platinum-colored gowns. The flower girl was Meghan Walton, the groom's sister.
Terry Brewster was best man, and groomsmen were Jerry Walton and John Smith. Ring bearer was the bride's brother, Ryan Patterson.
The bride is a hairstylist at J.C. Penney in Austintown; the groom, a tile layer for Youngstown Tile and Terrazzo.