An engaging surprise
DATE: Dec. 31 HER STORY: Courtney Geanetta, 29, was born in Colorado Springs, Colo. She works as a manager of philanthropy programs at MedStar Health in Columbia. Her parents, Joe and Teri Geanetta, live in Colorado Springs.
HIS STORY: Steve Van Shura, 31, was born and raised in Bel Air. He is a sales specialist at GE Healthcare. His parents, Bob and Susyn Van Shura, live in Bel Air.
THEIR STORY: The couple met in July 2013. They were both working at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
“We met in the hallway for the first time. I can’t remember why he approached me,” she recalled.
Shortly after, they went out on their first date and got to know each other over lunch at the hospital cafeteria.
“I felt really comfortable, and he was easy to talk to,” Courtney said. “We had a lot in common.”
By September, they were an official couple, and a year later she moved from Washington to Baltimore to live with him.
“I was able to transfer within MedStar. It worked out perfectly,” she said. The couple lives in Mays Chapel. THE PROPOSAL: Steve proposed July 3, 2015, in Charleston, S.C.
Courtney was on a girls’ weekend trip when Steve surprised her with the big question.
He caught Courtney by complete surprise because he arranged everything with her friend.
So, one night as she was walking along the docks in Charleston, she was astonished to see Steve when she turned around.
“I thought he was suppose to be at work in Baltimore. It was a shock to me,” she said.
Steve was wearing Courtney’s favorite shirt, and he was holding her favorite flowers — pink hydrangeas.
“He got down on one knee,” Courtney said. “And everything was captured with photos.”
Afterward, he took Courtney out to dinner with her friend and sister.
“He flew out the next day because it was my girls’ trip,” Courtney said. “He flew home so that I could spend the rest of the time with my friends.”
VENUE: One hundred thirteen guests attended the wedding and reception at Hotel Monaco.
FLOWERS AND DECOR: The colors of the wedding were black, gold and white. Flowers were provided by My Flower Box. Centerpieces consisted of submerged orchids and floating candles. Bridesmaids’ bouquets had hydrangeas. Courtney’s bouquet consisted of white roses and hydrangeas.
HER DRESS: Courtney wore a Stella York ivory satin sweetheart trumpet dress from Amanda Ritchey Bridal.
BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Bridesmaids wore Ralph Lauren black chiffon floorlength dresses from Macy’s.
MEN’S ATTIRE: Steve wore a tuxedo from Jos. A. Bank. His bow tie and cummerbund were purchased online from Collared Greens. Groomsmen wore tuxedos from Jos. A. Bank as well.
MUSIC: Encore, a Washington band, provided the music. The couple’s first dance was to “Would You Go with Me” by Josh Turner.
FOOD AND DESSERT: Hotel Monaco’s B&O American Brasserie catered the wedding. Appetizers included crab cakes, prosciutto wrapped dates, vegan spring rolls and deviled eggs. Dinner consisted of chicken and barley risotto and Brussels sprouts or steak with asparagus and sweet mashed potatoes. The couple also served a lemon and marble cake with a buttercream frosting from Charm City Cakes. At midnight, buffalo chicken and hamburger sliders and beef jerky were served to guests.
FAVORS: The couple made a donation to the Animal Welfare Society of Howard County in lieu of favors.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: They went to the Dominican Republic for their honeymoon. Trip Bare and Nick Ferrell, Steve’s groomsmen, sang the couple’s first song. Courtney’s aunt Sandra Krueger, a harpist, played Andrea Bocelli’s “Time To Say Goodbye” as Courtney walked down the aisle.