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Wedding embraces medieval approach
boardman
There were four musketeers at Douglas Manley and Candalyn Fusselman’s wedding Friday — three groomsmen and the groom.
The medieval-themed celebration called for elaborate garb on the part of 50 guests at a short and windy ceremony at Boardman Park.
“We wanted to be different,” said the bride, 20, who lives in Warren.
Douglas, 23, also of Warren, was the only musketeer not brandishing a weapon.
“For a wedding at that time, groomsmen wore swords,” Douglas said. “I didn’t wear one because on a groom’s wedding day, he wasn’t supposed to fight. The groomsmen would fight for you.”
The couple didn’t antici- pate a battle, just some medieval music and dancing during their reception that evening. About 230 guests, a third of them dressed as 16th- century citizens, attended that portion.
The wedding ceremony was delayed while guests waited for the maids of honor to arrive, but no one seemed worried about the possibility of a dastardly knight having carried off the bride.
“No, I wasn’t worried,” the groom said. “I just figured something was taking longer than it should.”
The dresses Candalyn ordered for her bridesmaids never arrived, and so some last-minute wardrobe changes were made. Luckily, Candalyn had two 16th-century dresses in her closet at home.
Most of the guests during Friday’s ceremony dressed the part. Eddie Fife of Newton Falls was an elf complete with leather boots, wrist gauntlets and pointed ears.
“Regular day clothes are boring,” Fife said.
Patric Cook of Warren dressed as a Scottish Highlander and has been going to medieval fairs for the past six years.
“It’s something different,” he said. “It’s a little big of history, a little bit of fantasy.”
Tim Podgorny, a criminal-investigation major at Youngstown State University, also was dressed as a musketeer. For the past two years, he’s acted in the Michigan Renaissance Festival as a jouster complete with a lance, shield, horse and armor.
“Once you get in, you’re addicted,” Podgorny said.
Across the street from the gazebo where the Manleys exchanged vows, another couple tied the knot in a traditional ceremony. Their presence, coupled with the occasional passing car or fair lady spotted on her cell phone, reminded guests what century this wedding really took place in.
Dave Currie, the wedding photographer of LifesDigitals.com, said he planned to Photoshop pictures to include a medieval air. The wedding party took photos at the nearby playground that included a castle to get that effect.
Manley and Fusselman became man and wife with the help of the Rev. Richard Evans of the Youngstown Wedding Ministers. This was the reverend’s first medieval wedding.
“I think it’s awesome,” Evans said. “I was so excited when they asked me to do it. I couldn’t fall asleep that night. I was up until 1 o’clock thinking about it.”
Douglas’ mother, Debi Manley, had never dressed in medieval clothing but wore a light blue dress made of crushed velvet. She, too, approved of the theme.
“It’s something they truly enjoy,” she said.
Douglas and Candalyn met more than three years ago at a former pool hall in Niles. A friend played matchmaker and introduced them.
Douglas would later introduce Candalyn to 16th-century life. The two have attended and acted as street performers at The Great Lakes Medieval Faire and other events for more than three years now.
“We love the era,” Candalyn said. “It’s something fun we do. It feels like it’s a part of us.”