Pittsburgh Tribune Review Summer 2011
Pittsburgh Tribune Review – Big Ben Weds New Castle Native in Private Wedding
Ben Roethlisberger got another ring on Saturday.
The Steelers’ Super Bowl-winning quarterback married New Castle native Ashley Harlan in a private church ceremony in Ohio Township, then celebrated into the night at a reception Downtown. The affair was coordinated by Sheila Weiner of The Event Group.
“Happy that my dude found love,” Steelers receiver Emmanuel Sanders posted on Twitter.
Roethlisberger, 29, and Harlan, 26, tied the knot in a ceremony at Christ Church at Grove Farm, then received a police escort to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center for the reception.
Roethlisberger’s friend Jaime Cooper served as best man. Harlan’s friend Erin Telford was maid of honor, and her sister-in-law Susan Harlan served as matron of honor.
In all, there were 20 members of the bridal party — including Steelers players Willie Colon and Brett Keisel and Roethlisberger’s agent, Ryan Tollner — and one flower girl.
The Steelers’ Trai Essex, Ramon Foster, Chris Kemoeatu, Doug Legursky, Maurkice Pouncey and Max Starks were ushers. So were former Steelers running back and ESPN analyst Merril Hoge and state police Trooper Edward Joyner, who has worked as a personal assistant for Roethlisberger.
The bride wore a Monique Lhuillier strapless, ivory silk gown. The bridesmaids wore Jim Hjelm strapless gowns in slate gray and carried clusters of blush pink roses.
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney and Penguins co-owner Mario Lemieux were among the VIPs. Even WWE professional wrestler Triple H was seen entering the convention center.
The couple went to great lengths to keep details of their wedding plans secret — convention center brass posted fliers indicating a movie shoot was taking place from July 18-24 — and their wedding day was no different.
Ohio Township police blocked access to the church for hours before the ceremony, and Pittsburgh police and a private security firm controlled access to the convention center, shutting down 10th Street between Fort Duquesne Boulevard and Penn Avenue for much of the day.
The Roethlisbergers, who could not be reached for comment and did not issue a statement, required guests to present a pink sheet of paper to gain access to the church and reception. Once at the convention center, guests received a gray rubber bracelet and another pink slip regarding the event.
Bomb-sniffing dogs swept the convention center earlier in the day. Lt. Jack Kearney of the Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office, who handles security for the Steelers, was at the reception.
Police and private security officers were scheduled to remain at the convention center until 2 a.m., police said.
The service in the nondenominational church lasted less than an hour. Harlan walked down the aisle with her father, Dave, to “Threads of Love.”
Music included “Redeemer” by Nicole C. Mullen, “Canon in D” by Johann Pachelbel, “Allegro Maestoso” from “Water Music” by George F. Handel and “Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee” by Ludwig van Beethoven.
Two tall candles on the altar were lit in memory of family members and loved ones of the bride and groom.
The couple took photographs at the church for about an hour before leaving for the reception with the wedding party in two limousine buses.
Planners expected as many as 650 guests at the reception, and a steady flow of black limousines and sport utility vehicles arrived shortly after the church service.
Cocktails were served on the second floor about two hours before dinner and dancing. The party then moved upstairs to The Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom on the third floor.
Those involved said Roethlisberger and Harlan spared no expense.
The ballroom was decorated with scores of roses — mostly different shades of pink, along with white and cream — from Hepatica Florist in Regent Square. Table arrangements also included orchids and hydrangeas.
Nearly 10,000 roses — hot pink, light pink and a softer pink — covered a 5- by 40-foot wall that was used as a backdrop for photographs.
A grand piano stood on a stage beneath a giant scripted logo of the couple’s initials: A and B on either side of a large R.
Roethlisberger and Harlan chose “God Gave Me You” for their first dance, and the song was performed live by the original artist, Dave Barnes. Harlan danced with her father to “I’ll Always Be Your Baby” by Natalie Grant.
Premier Foliage & Flowering in East Liberty provided 100 palm trees, 150 ferns, 100 ivy at the church and convention center, said owner Jeff Ballina. It took more than three days to arrange the foliage, he said.
“This was certainly a wonderful event and the most elegant event that I have ever been involved with,” Ballina said. “When we were all finished, you couldn’t tell it was the convention center. It was just so beautiful. The ballroom was gorgeous. It went together so well because all of the vendors worked so well together.”
Guests, seated at about 65 tables of 10, chose between roasted beef tenderloin with cabernet demi-glace or pan-seared halibut with grilled lemons for dinner, provided by The Common Plea Restaurant and Catering, Downtown.
Staff handed out Moet champagne for the toasts, and Chateau St. Jean chardonnay and cabernet was served with dinner.
The couple decided on a six-tier wedding cake from Vanilla Pastry Studio in East Liberty.
The only sign of Steeler Nation came outside the church.
Friends and family of Bill and Margie Zierenberg gathered outside their home down the street from Christ Church in hopes of catching a glimpse of the newly married couple, but it never came.
The Zierenbergs’ granddaughter Lizzy Weisner, 12, who was visiting from Dallas, and her cousin Callie Downing, 14, of Ben Avon joined other cousins to make a sign that read, “Best wishes, Ben and Ashley.”
“When I first got up, I didn’t think it was a good idea,” Downing said. “But once everyone got here, I thought it was a good idea.”
Ohio Township police Cpl. Donald Manz said there were no complaints or arrests at or near the wedding ceremony.
“With all the things (Roethlisberger) has gone through in the past year,” Manz said, “we anticipated some kind of advocacy group or something, but it was quiet. Maybe the heat kept them away.”
VENDORS
Sheila Weiner, The Event Group (wedding planner)
Premier Flowering & Foliage Inc., East Liberty
Hepatica florist, Regent Square
Vanilla Pastry Studio, East Liberty
The Common Plea Restaurant and Catering, Downtown
Goldstein Photography, Squirrel Hill
The Prop Shop, Lincoln-Lemington
All Occasions Party Rental, Strip District
Wayne Foster Entertainment, Carlsbad, Calif.
Authors: Jason Cato, Joanne Harrop and Adam Brandolph