Steelers' Roethlisberger Ties The Knot

OHIO TOWNSHIP, Pa.,None — Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is officially a married man.

Roethlisberger, 29, married New Castle native Ashley Harlan, 26, in a ceremony at Christ Church of Grove Farm in Ohio Township Saturday afternoon.

Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Dan Rooney were among the many celebrities in attendance.

Guests had to provide a special pink sheet of paper to gain access to the ceremony.

About 650 guests attended the reception at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.

Pittsburgh police and private security officers shut down 10th Street between Penn Avenue and Fort Duquesne Boulevard at about 3:30 p.m.

The reception was in The Spirit of Pittsburgh Ballroom on the third floor.

The Bride wore a Monique Lhuillier strapless, ivory silk gown with an asymmetrically draped bodice and rose embroidered skirt that flared at the knee and extended in a sweep length train. Her veil, custom designed at Anne Gregory for the Bride, was a three tier veil of silk illusion edged in silk sutash. The three tier veil was a blusher, a fingertip length, and the third layer extended into a full cathedral length veil. Her hair was adorned with a small rose made of the same Silk Caricata Satin. She carried a classic romantic bouquet of cascading phaleanopsis orchids, roses and hydrangea in shades of ivory and white, with a hint of blush and a feather accent.

The bridesmaids wore Jim Hjelm strapless gowns in slate gray, and carried clusters of blush pink roses.

Her father, Dave, walked the Bride down the aisle to "Threads of Love" while their family and friends looked on. American Idol's Mandisa performed the music for the nuptial ceremony, and Christopher Wu of the Pittsburgh Symphony conducted a string quartet, accompanied by a uitar and piano.

When guests arrived at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, they enjoyed signature Pimm's Cup cocktails and small plates of sushi, sugarcane shrimp and lamb tenderloin, along with other passed hors d'oeuvres. The pre-function space of the Convention Center was transformed into a contemporary lounge. All white leather and acrylic furniture vignettes created the unique atmosphere.

Guests moved to the Ballroom for dinner. As they entered the Ballroom beneath crystal chandeliers, 30-foot-high walls draped in ivory surrounded them. A silver, ivory and blush pink color scheme was carried throughout the event. Dining tables of various shapes and sizes filled the room, and were covered in linens in shades of charcoal and silver, made of satins, sheers, and some with mirrored tabletops. Surrounding the tables, the silver and ivory theme continued with chairs covered in ruched fabric, banded, and accented with a jeweled brooch.

The centerpieces were created from locally grown phaleanopsis orchids, roses, hydrangea and peonies in shades of ivory, white and blush pinks, and were designed by Hepatica. The couple asked that after the reception, the centerpieces be donated to the Ronald McDonald House, a program that provides a "home away from home" for families so they can stay close by their hospitalized child at little or no cost. Lighted fabric columns around the room echoed the blush pink flowers, and a lighted monogram graced the dance floor.

Guests dined on filet and halibut prepared by The Common Plea Catering. The couple's wedding cake, designed by Vanilla Pastry Studio, was six tiers. Each tier was wrapped in pearl fondant, and completed with a sugar monogram and a full band of fresh roses. Ladies were served vanilla bean buttercream cake with fresh summer berries, while gentlemen enjoyed cookies and cream cake served with a chocolate dipped strawberry.

The gentlemen's cake slices were from the Groom's cake, a 3 tier camouflage topsy turvy cake, complete with the inscription, "The Hunt is Over." Best Man and friend of the Groom, Jaime Cooper, and Matron of Honor and sister-in-law of the Bride, Susan Harlan, both offered toasts to the newlyweds. The celebration continued with the couple's first dance as husband and wife to "God Gave Me You", performed live by the original artist, Dave Barnes. The guests joined the Bride and Groom and danced all night to the sounds of the Wayne Foster Orchestra. The Bride danced with her father to "I'll Always Be Your Baby" by Natalie Grant.

When the guests weren't dancing, they were mingling in the lounge, complete with white leather banquettes, sofas, and custom white leather tufted bars, designed by kool. Party Rentals and The Prop Shop. They nibbled on late night savory snacks of sliders and french fries, and sweet snacks of miniature desserts and salted caramel lollies.

The blush pink shades of roses didn't stop at the tables. Guests were photographed in front of a wall of roses and were able to take their photo home in a silver frame as a memento of the celebration, and a token of appreciation from the Bride and Groom.

In lieu of gifts, the Bride and Groom asked guests to make a donation to the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, benefitting children's charities.

Mr. and Mrs. Roethlisberger are not immediately taking a honeymoon.

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