Paula Michelle Ferguson and Benjamin Francis Louis were united in marriage on October 8, 2016 at “Santillane” in Fincastle, Va. The ceremony was officiated by Reverend Dr. Catherine Taylor, minister at Blacksburg Presbyterian Church, and music was provided by a trio of young musicians from Radford, Va. The ceremony was followed by a lively reception on the grounds under the pavilion, featuring Indian cuisine and a beautiful cake baked with love by the bride’s cousin.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Virgil Ferguson of Troutville, Va. She is the granddaughter of Mr. David Welcher and the late Martha Welcher of Elliston Va. and Mrs. Doris Ferguson and the late Kenneth Ferguson of Minerva, OH. The groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Louis of Buckingham, Va. He is the grandson of the late Dr. and Mrs. William Pennington of Buckingham, Va. and the late Mr. L.F. Louis and Mary Louis Loeber of Rice Va.

Given in marriage by her parents and escorted by her father, the bride wore a strapless satin James Clifford Couture bridal gown. The gown featured hand beaded and embroidered designs with a semi cathedral train. The bride carried a hand tied bouquet of peach garden roses, burgundy dahlias and football mums.

Ms. Lindsay Imperia of Philadelphia, PA, served as Maid of Honor. Bridesmaids included Mrs. Melissa Wallace, sister of the groom, Mrs. Heather Fulginiti of Centerville, Va. and Mrs. Samantha Falls of Troutville, Va. The flower girl was Miss Amelia Floyd of Roanoke, Va. The Maid of Honor and the bridesmaids wore floor length chiffon strapless gowns in navy.

Mr. Miles Quillen of Portland, Oregon served as Best Man. Groomsmen included Mr. Howard Holt, the groom’s cousin, of Daleville, Va. and Mr. Morgan Smith of Buckingham, Va. The ring bearers were Oliver Finley Wallace, the couple’s nephew, and Liam Moody, the bride’s cousin.

The bride received her undergraduate degree from James Madison University and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology at Radford University. She currently is employed as a speech pathologist at Carillion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

The groom attained his undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and his Master’s degree from Va Tech. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Va Tech with the Planning, Governance and Globalization program and also teaching several classes at Va Tech. Following a honeymoon in Floyd, Va., Ben and Paula will reside in Blacksburg, Va.