Josh Secondo and Karen Pellegrino did it.
The first couple to take their vows in front of the pond in the Batavia Downs infield, along with their family and friends, gathered Saturday afternoon to celebrate their love and commitment to each other with a wedding ceremony.
Even though they have mutual friends and even attended the same high school for a while, their paths never crossed.
Thanks to a set up meeting by George and Cassidy, mutual friends of both Karen and Josh, the couple met up.
Josh and Karen set eyes on each other in June of 2014 at the St. Joseph’s Lawn Fete while Josh’s band played at the beer tent there.
Since the carnival meeting they have been inseparable.
The couple grew to know each other and their families along the way and madly fell in love with each other.
After getting to know Karen’s dad, Vin, over steak and eggs after a gig one night, Josh felt like he was always a part of the family.
This convinced Karen the most that Josh was the one.
The couple got engaged last June at Valle Jewelers with Josh popping the question while Karen shopped for jewelry. Of course the answer was a resounding yes.
Bill Schneider officiated the wedding ceremony at the Downs.
“Marry someone you would not mind waking up to each morning and falling in love with each other all over again for the rest of your life,” says Schneider.
“Marry the one who makes you glad to be alive.”
Mary Bucceri, Group Sales Manager at Batavia Downs, says the couple wanted to do the ceremony right on site.
“We were nervous we would have rain possibly, we did have a back up plan, but as it turned out it was a beautiful day with a light breeze.
We thought we would try something different,” says Bucceri.
If anyone is interested in having their ceremony at Batavia Downs contact Mary Bucceri, Group Sales Manager/Marketing at Batavia Downs at 585-343-3750/Ext. 6468 or by e-mail at mbucceri@westernotb.com