Robin—I was hoisted 15 feet high on a scissor lift, painting a mural for a local brewery when Joe first spotted me in paint-splattered cutoffs. We are both entrepreneurs. Joe designs and owns restaurants, and I am an artist and photographer. Joe knew for quite some time that he was ready to pop the question.
He debated how to do it but ended up deciding to make it real and honest. As soon as the ring arrived, he called me at work and dragged me out for a walk in Washington Park with Boss, our American bulldog puppy. This is something we do everyday, so when Joe got down on one knee in the middle of the park, pulled out the ring and asked “Will you marry me”, I was shocked. We compromised over the size and scale of the wedding. Joe wanted a big celebration and I wanted something intimate. In the end, the day, like our life, was a creative expression of both of us, and every vendor was chosen carefully to add to the vision we had. It was an unstructured day, without your traditional wedding ‘activities’ — we didn’t throw a bouquet or have a formal bridal party walk down the aisle, but we did focus on incorporating family into our day. Joe’s mum’s name was Rosellen, and she loved roses, so we included garden roses throughout our wedding, on our cake and in our invitations. For the ceremony, everyone stood in the grass under a big tree with climbing roses. We were perched on the edge of the city, at sunset with the cityscape as a backdrop. After, we raced off to our new neighborhood, where we are rebuilding a historic home, for our photos. It was really special to imagine one day living in the street, and getting to make this first memory of our home and lives together. Joe owned The Rookwood bar and restaurant for eight years, and even before our wedding day it held some very special memories for us, so we knew it would be our venue. We wanted things to feel effortless, comfortable, and to reflect our style. Married life has been a whirlwind but we love it! Renovating our old home and opening a new business, with plans to open another soon has kept us busy since the wedding. We’re looking forward to taking a break when we move into our new home as husband and wife.
Photography—Danelle Bohane | Flora—Piepmeier the Florist | Bride’s custom skirt—Monique Lhuillier silk skirt and Watters tulle overlay |Groom’s suit—Romauldo Tailor | Venue—The Rookwood Bar & Restaurant | Groom’s shoes—Allen Edmonds | Bride’s shoes—Jimmy Choo | Celebrant—William Posey | Wedding Planner—Moment to Moment | Tie, pin & pocket square—Artfully Disheveled | DJ—Matt Joy | Cake—Maribelle Cakery | Groom’s watch—Rolex
