Waterfall Romance: Rachel’s Bandwango Wedding Story

In West Virginia, surrounded by the beauty of nature, a couple’s love story took a special turn. This is the story of Rachel and her now-husband, who celebrated their wedding at one of the beautiful spots featured in a Bandwango pass.

A Modern Love Story

Rachel and her husband met in a modern way—on Tinder. They dated for a while before deciding to get married. Their relationship was filled with love and shared adventures, making them the perfect companions for exploring the beautiful landscapes of West Virginia.

The Perfect Wedding Spot: Gristmill Falls, Babcock State Park

When it came time to choose a wedding venue, Rachel and her husband wanted something quiet and simple. They had heard about the beautiful Babcock State Park from friends and decided to check it out. The park, with its rustic cabins and stunning waterfalls, seemed like the perfect place for their elopement. They had never been to the park before their wedding day, making their first visit even more special.

A Rainy Wedding Day Turned Fun

Their wedding day was met with pouring rain, soaking Rachel’s dress. However, what could have been a problem turned into an unforgettable moment. Their photographer suggested embracing the rain, leading to some truly amazing photos of Rachel jumping into the waterfalls, capturing the joy and spontaneity of their special day. These stunning images, taken at the Grist Mill Falls in Babcock State Park, are a testament to their adventurous spirit and the beauty of the location.

Exploring More with Their Bandwango Pass

After their incredible wedding, Rachel discovered that the waterfall they got married by is actually part of a trail featuring numerous waterfalls all around West Virginia. Although Rachel discovered the Bandwango pass after their wedding, it has since become a significant part of her life. The pass has allowed her to explore more of West Virginia, often bringing her kids along for the adventure. She loves how the pass has helped her appreciate her state more, saying, “It’s helped me get to see my own state a lot more than I would’ve.”

Rachel now takes every opportunity to visit new waterfalls, even using her work travels to check off more spots on the pass. 

Discovering the Waterfall Trail

Rachel first heard about the waterfall trail during a work event hosted by West Virginia Tourism. As someone who travels a lot for her job with a Medicaid provider, she was immediately interested. The idea of exploring the natural beauty of her state during her travels was too good to pass up. Over Memorial Day weekend, she decided to visit more waterfalls, checking off six to seven waterfalls, taking photos, and enjoying the peaceful surroundings. To date, she has visited 16 waterfalls, often pulling off the road to check in and capture the views.

West Virginia Waterfall Trail in the Spotlight

The West Virginia Waterfall Trail has gained significant media attention, recently surpassing 75,000 check-ins. The popularity of this trail highlights the state's natural beauty and the efforts to promote outdoor tourism. The trail continues to expand, with three new waterfalls added recently, making it an even more attractive destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers. For more details about the West Virginia Waterfall Trail and the latest additions, you can read the full article here.

A Final Note

Rachel and her husband’s waterfall wedding is a great example of how Bandwango passes can enrich lives, providing not just exploration but also unforgettable experiences. As Rachel puts it, “It’s just one of my favorite places, I could go sit in front of that waterfall forever.” Their story is a reminder of the hidden gems within our country, waiting to be discovered and cherished.

We are grateful to Rachel for sharing her story and her beautiful wedding photos, which you can view here. Special thanks to the photographer Darian Wagner Photography  for capturing these moments.