MOVERS & SHAKERS
THE GROOMSMEN : Before the ceremony , Nate ( center ) shared a toast with ( from left to right ) groomsman Doug Foley Jr ., best man and brother Spencer Van Wagnen , and groomsmen Matt and Zach Sackman . Foley is an accomplished big-money bracket racer , and the Sackman brothers are NHRA national event winners in their family ’ s blown Top Dragster .
DI WEDDING EDITION : Wedding guests went home with copies of a DI “ Wedding Issue ” program designed by DI COO and Design & Production Director Mike Carpenter and printed by Publication Printers .
Just a couple weeks after the World Series of Pro Mod , DI Editor-in-Chief Nate Van Wagnen married his longtime girlfriend , Allyson Johnson , in a wedding ceremony officiated by DI ’ s own Van Abernethy . DI Founder and Editorial Director Wes Buck and his wife , Alisha , were in attendance , along with several other drag racers .
THE CEREMONY : Under the canopy of one of Charleston ’ s famous Spanish moss-covered oak trees , longtime DI columnist Van Abernethy performed the ceremony – his first as an ordained minister .
GETAWAY CAR : The bride and groom were whisked away in a show-stopping ‘ 69 Nova owned by Chet Couch and driven by Michael Hyatt and his wife , Mary .
THE BRIDE & GROOM : Nate and Allyson met through DI and drag racing in general , and quickly bonded over their passion for the sport .
PHOTOGRAPHS BY DENNIS ALIAKSANDROU , CHARLESTON PHOTO ART
70 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 182