Sarah Elizabeth Wallace and Mark Christopher Schaefer, both of Portland, exchanged wedding vows on Aug. 19, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church in Erie, Penn. The Rev. Shawn Clerkin officiated the double-ring ceremony.

The brides parents are Dr. Robert and Natasha Wallace of Erie, Penn. The grooms  parents are Michael and Patricia Schaefer of Hermiston.

The bride was escorted down the aisle by her father.

Matron of honor was Andrea Freeborn of Olympia, Wash., cousin of the bride. Bridesmaids were Barbara McMahon of Hermiston and Katie Schaefer of Portland, both sisters of the groom, Becky Rassi of Bozeman, Mont., friend of the bride, Jennifer Wallace of Erie, Penn., sister-in-law of the bride, and junior bridesmaid Karen Gauriloff of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Best man was Rob Schaefer of Hermiston, brother of the groom. Groomsmen were Matt Schaefer of Portland, brother of the groom, Russell Wallace of Erie, Penn., brother of the bride, Mike Jeppeson of Hermiston, friend of the groom, and Matt Trupkovich of Philadelphia, Penn., cousin of the bride.

Ushers were Evan Trupkovich of Philadelphia and?Peter Gauriloff of Cleveland, Ohio, both cousins of the bride. Program attendants were Whitney McMahon of Hermiston, niece of the groom, and Elizabeth Trupkovich of Philadelphia, cousin of the bride.

A scripture reading was given by the grooms grandmother, Jane Sloan, of Carmel, Ind., and special thoughts and prayers were shared by a friend of the bride, Kristen Brown of Bozeman, Mont.

Music was provided by Dan Sloan of Carmel, Ind., uncle of the groom. Pat Schaefer, mother of the groom, wrote and sang a song for her son and new daughter-in-law. Organist was Bruce Gingrich of Erie.

The bride wore a strapless, floor-length A-skirt gown of white Irish lace that featured a satin belt encrusted with appliqued flowers and pearls. The attached train was of Irish lace. Her veil, accented with  a  pearl trim, fell softly from a headpiece offset by pearls. She carried a bouquet of white roses and pink stephanotis accented with ribbons and pearls.

In lieu of the customary unity candle, the couple chose to do a Planting in which scoops of soil were added to a special plant by the couples parents, grandparents and attendants. This was to represent their marriage (the plant) and how they will receive the love and support of family and friends (the soil) to grow and stay strong.

A reception at Yehl Ballroom at Gannon University followed the ceremony.

The bride graduated from Gannon University in Erie and received her masters degree in forestry from the University of Montana. She presently teaches science at Skyview High School in Vancouver, Wash. The groom is a Hermiston High School graduate and received his degree in civil engineering at Oregon State University. He is employed as a project engineer with Northwest Natural Gas in Portland.

After a honeymoon trip to Hawaii, the couple resides in Portland.