We will be at a West Virginia State Park for the whole weekend: Bluestone State Park (park map, location). It is an exceptionally beautiful place, particularly in October.

Our goal is to bring friends from many different parts of our lives together to enjoy some of the things we love -- mountains & trees, great traditional music, good food, and each other -- think of it more as a weekend-long party than a traditional wedding.

You are welcome to come for only the ceremony and the dinner following it on Saturday, but we hope you will participate for as much of the weekend as you can.

Clothing theme is festive, but not formal. You may wear whatever you like, and Shawn says, "heels are right out." If it is sufficiently cold, we may establish a clothing theme of sweaters and beanies at the last minute.

We ask that instead of gifts, that you provide us help in making the weekend be as memorable (and functional) as possible for all attendees. For some of you, we have already asked considerable contributions, as you can see in the schedule below. For others, if you have something you'd like to bring such as a song, a favorite dish for Friday dinner, or whatever else you'd like to share, please feel free. We'll also ask for help arranging tables and chairs, and will need considerable help cleaning Sunday morning. Your presence and participation will be your gift to us!



There are a variety of options for places to stay Friday and/or Saturday night.

You may camp at Bluestone State Park. Reservations are required. (There are cabins, but they are reserved for family and event help.)

We have reserved rooms, cottages, and cabins at Pipestem Resort State Park and the Nostalgia Inn, which are about eight miles south of Bluestone. If you call them, please let them know that you will be part of the Brenneman/Labarge wedding party. Note: Pipestem and Nostalgia Inn are only available for rentals for both Friday and Saturday nights.

Additional accommodations are available in Princeton, WV, which is about 25 miles south of the park. There are a cluster of chain hotels there, including a newly renovated Hampton Inn.
 
The closest major airport to Bluestone is Charleston, West Virginia, being about and hour and a half drive. The Roanoke, Virginia airport is about two hours and twenty minutes. Both are beautiful (and easy) drives.



All Saturday events are at Bluestone State Park. (Schedule is tentative.)


Friday night

4:30pm - Cocktails and Hors d'ouvres at Chez Brenneman, cabin 6. Jeanne and Bruce Brenneman's cabin will offer stunning views of Bluestone Lake as the sun goes down, not to mention fine drinks and snacks (including Bruce's amazing smoked salmon). Wine selections by Stephen Boocks of Total Wine, wine provided by Ray & Jan Labarge.

5:45pm - Dinner at Labarge Village, cabins 11, 12, and 13. Andrew, James, and John Labarge's families' cabins will offer up hearty dinner fare including grilled chorizo from New Bedford, MA, Paula Labarge's own spinach pie (the best I've ever had), Stephen Boocks's gourmet honkin' mac and cheeze, Bratley Kelley's epistemological hummus, and other specialties by other talented friends.

After dinner - Stroll about the park, meet other guests, music sessions, random fun.

7:30pm - Mandatory event at the big tent.

Late - Converge on the Alehouse, cabin 26, for traditional music. Beer developed, brewed, and provided by the mad beer genius Jonathan Thielen. Decorations by the lovely and talented Jen Pollard.


Saturday

8:00am-Noon - Gaye Fifer & Wayne Albright, Mala & Georg Kustermann, and the Morrison gang, each world-renowned for their pancakes, will be serving 'em up. Real, fresh Vermont maple syrup (that'd be lots of it!) provided by Nathan Post.

After Breakfast - Explore the park's hiking trails, meet other guests, croquet, bocce, frisbee, and other frivolities on the lawn.

12:30-2:30pm - Light lunch/snacks in the big tent. Lunch and dinner provided by Tom & Mary Jane Rickman.

3:15-4:00pm - Concert by the extraordinary Crowfoot.

4:00pm - Performance by El Gleno Grande, who, with Brooke Dezio, will then lead the...

4:30pm - Wedding Processional, followed by the Wedding Ceremony at Petit Maison Labarge-Briggs, cabin 25. Ray & Jan Labarge's balcony will be the site of the historic union of Shawn Brenneman & Matthew Labarge. The officiant will be the (in)famous Mark Lattanzi.

5:00-7:00pm - Dinner and festivities in the big tent. Cake designed and provided by Gwyn Christopher. More wines selected by Stephen Boocks and provided by Ray & Jan Labarge.

After Dinner - Toasts, music, etc.

9:00pm-Late - Alehouse, cabin 26, open for business. Traditional music by Crowfoot and other guests, and more handcrafted beers by Jonathan Thielen.


Sunday

Morning - Cleanup and goodbyes! (We'll be staying Sunday night as well, so if you'd like to stay an extra night, please rent a cabin and join us!)