Couple weds under WFMJ’s watch

By KATIE SEMINARA

WFMJ Today had its seventh spectacular wedding for a deserving couple.

YOUNGSTOWN — As they walked the aisle together for the first time as husband and wife, WFMJ Today Wedding couple Steve Cheney and Regan Cokain’s song of choice was U2’s “Beautiful Day.”

Indeed, it was.

The ceremony early Friday at the Butler Institute of American Art was broadcast live. Valley viewers had previously been given the opportunity to vote on the seventh WFMJ Today Wedding couple.

“Everything has been going smoothly, and everything looks awesome,” said Steve, 35, of Mercer, Pa., before it was his time to stand at the altar.

The Butler was drenched in varied shades of pink roses and warmly lit, creating a magical atmosphere for close to 200 guests.

“We wanted to create almost a gazebo feeling,” said Joe Mineo, owner of Something New Florists, which provided floral arrangements.

With Red Line, the nine-piece band, in place and cameras rolling, the traditional ceremony kicked off just after 6 a.m.

When Regan, 26, of Hermitage, Pa., began walking down the aisle, her eyes were sparkling as much as her diamond hair band. As soon as Steve saw her, he began grinning and never stopped.

The couple was married by their pastor, Greg Marshall, of New Life Baptist Church in New Wilmington, Pa.

Marshall, a bit nervous to be having a service on TV said, “it’s really cool to marry Regan and Steve. I developed a relationship with Steve on a mission trip and I’ve known Regan for about 13 years, so it’s very special for me to marry them.”

Instead of writing their own vows, the couple chose to recite the more traditional vows of marriage and lit a unity candle while church friends sang “The Prayer.”

Melissa Fowler, 26, and Matthew Fowler, 28, of Farrell, Pa., who knew Regan through youth group, were the brother and sister duo that moved some guests to tears with their impressive vocal talents. “It was a wonderful pleasure to be a part of their day,” said Melissa.

Before pronouncing Regan and Steve husband and wife, the Rev. Mr. Marshall said, “marriage is like a violin: When the music stops, the strings are still attached.”

As the couple had a first kiss as newlyweds, friends and family cheered and clapped in celebration. WFMJ Today co-host Scott Schneider said that kiss would go down as one of the most passionate in WFMJ Wedding history.

The couple and guests enjoyed a colorful buffet provided by Antone’s Banquet Centre and started dancing to the smooth, soulful sounds of Red Line.

Regan and her dad, Tom Cokain, who had mixed emotions through the morning, danced to “Unforgettable” for the father-daughter dance.

“I’m very glad for Regan, and we love Steve, but it’s sad because I’m seeing my little girl leave. The best part of the day was getting to walk Regan down the aisle,” he said.

As the party continued, so did the radiance on the faces of the newlyweds.

“I’ve had a lot of fun through this whole experience, and today has gone really well,” said Regan, as she swept from guest to guest.

Among those in attendance were some of the previous WFMJ Today Wedding winners; these couples were all celebrating wedding anniversaries — because the wedding is done about the same time each year.

“The singers were wonderful, and it’s nice to relive the ceremony,” said Jennifer Smith, the WFMJ bride in 2006.

Jamie Carpenter, the groom of WFMJ Today Wedding 2004, said, “It’s a nice reminder of how our wedding was and it’s also nice because we all get together as a group.”

WFMJ Today co-host Laurie Lehosky was taking in the event to the fullest, as it was the last wedding she would co-host. Lehosky’s last day will be May 23.

She said the wedding — like all her last moments with WFMJ — was bittersweet. “This is quite a production, and once again, it was a beautiful ceremony and another beautiful memory for me,” Lehosky said.

Schneider felt that of all the weddings, this year’s went off without any problems and was happy the weather held up. “They are people of very good character and seem very in love,” he said of Regan and Steve.

Highlights of the wedding will be played on WFMJ Today on Monday. Other sponsors of the day were Helen Freed’s, Michael Stephen Photography, Cake Creations, American Commodore Tuxedo, and The Party People.