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The Villages
Friday, March 29, 2024

Villagers’ wedding crashed by fans attending Sha Na Na concert

Will Fellows and Wendy Barta
Will Fellows and Wendy Barta

The wedding of Wendy Barta and Will Fellows almost got off to a greasy start. The Villagers were married Saturday evening in the Savannah Center’s Ashley Wilkes Room It’s just a hop, skip and a rice-throw from the main auditorium where Sha Na Na was performing.
It was bit strange for the oldies band’s fans walking into the concert seeing a bride and groom standing in the hallway taking wedding pictures.
“We booked the room a few months ago,” said Wendy Barta, wearing an elegant dark blue gown and holding a bouquet of flowers. “We didn’t know Sha Na Na would be playing next door on our wedding day. I like Sha Na Na, but I don’t know if I want them at my wedding.”
Will Fellows just smiled.
“I like all kinds of music, even Sha Na Na,” the groom said. “No matter who’s playing, this is a wonderful night because Wendy and I are getting married.”
Both Sha Na Na shows were soldout. That meant hundreds of old rockers and greasers walking by the Wilkes’ room. At one point, before the ceremony around 4:30, the bridal party was taking some pictures out in the hall.
Sha Na Na fans kept walking by and were a bit taken aback. “They’re getting married; that’s cool,” one Sha Na Na fan said as he saluted the couple. Another greaser gave the couple a thumps-up sign.
It didn’t bother Fellows. “I’m not nervous; I’m ecstatic,” the groom said.
Eventually, everything calmed down and the ceremony and reception went off without a hitch. And the wedding song wasn’t Sha Na Na’s version “Hound Dog” but “Something Stupid,” a love song made famous by Frank and Nancy Sinatra.
“My father (the late Ken Lamppin) loved that song and we’re doing it to honor him,” Barta said.
Fellows and his new bride have lived in The Village of Pinellas for about a year and a half, about the time when Fellows proposed. They’ve known each other about eight years and came here from Baltimore.
“Everything is special about Wendy,” said Fellows, wearing a white tux. “She’s loving, kind, intelligent and beautiful.”
Barta is also pleased with her groom.
“I love Will,” she said. “He’s kind, loyal and a lot of fun.”
That’s the way newlyweds talk on their wedding day. In addition to exchanging vows, the couple had another special reason to be happy.
“Getting married in The Villages is wonderful,” Barta said.
“What better place is there to get married in?” Fellows asked.
Even if Sha Na Na is singing next door.

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