Wedding Location: The Pelican Grand Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale
Wedding Date: May 9, 2009
How We Met:
We met my freshman year of college, the weekend before classes began. We both started working at the KSU Rec Center at the same time, so we went through orientation together. Over four years of college, our friendship grew into one that I cherished. Every time I knew he was working with me, I knew it would be a good day. He is the funniest person I have ever met, and we had random conversations about everything and anything. It allowed us to get to know each other for exactly who we were. I never had to pretend with Jon. I could show up in gross workout clothes without showering and not worry about what he was thinking. It wasn't until the end of senior year of college that we began realizing how similar we truly were. Our friendly conversations began developing. We talked about what we wanted out of life, what was important to us now and in the future, and how "all the little things" truly mattered. I remember wishing on a shooting star one night that I would find someone as perfect as Jon. Then, out of nowhere, I realized that the "perfect" person I was looking for was right in front of me. He also seemed to understand me in a way that only a very select circle of friends and family have ever been able to. After months and months and endless non-talks about the "elephant in the room" we nervously admitted our feelings for each other. And even though we had known each other for years, our first kiss (and every one since then) has given me butterflies. It was from that moment on that I knew this man, my work buddy and my friend, was "The One" :)
Our Engagement:
Anyone that knows me at all knows that I always count down the days leading up to my birthday. Jon knows this better than anyone and has always tried to make my birthday extra special. Well, my 24th birthday, May 10, 2008 was particularly special because I was also graduating from KSU with my Masters degree. After the ceremony, we got back to his apartment and he informed me that we were on a time schedule for the rest of the day. At 2:00, we left for our favorite sushi restaurant. When we got back, he instructed me to dress up and be ready to leave by 5:45pm. At 6:15, we arrived at Stan Hywet Hall-a historic landmark and museum in Akron, Ohio. He said he thought it would be nice to walk around the gardens since it was such a nice day. When we pulled in, I noticed there was a large white tent set up and figured someone must be having their wedding reception that night. We started walking along the paths, enjoying the perfect weather and beautiful surroundings. I could tell Jon had done his research, because he knew his way around and knew random facts about the different gardens we walked through. After awhile, we got to an area called The English Gardens. It was like something from the pages of a storybook-absolutely stunning. When we approached a bench, I found a big white box with a bow. Jon said "Happy Birthday, sweetheart" and led me over to it. When I lifted the lid to the box, I found a bottle of wine lying inside. I immediately started crying once I recognized the label: Brunello di Montalcino, a special Italian wine we agreed to save for our engagement night. Thus, when I saw the bottle, I knew what night this was. Jon poured us two glasses and told me to sit down. He told me how happy I make him, that I was the most beautiful person he has ever known, and that I was his best friend-I was crying like a baby at this point. Then he got down on his knee and asked if I would do him the honor of spending the rest of my life with him. I think I nodded, but after we hugged, he asked what my answer was because apparently nodding like an idiot doesn't always mean yes. So I screamed "Yes!" He then placed the most incredible diamond ring I have ever seen on my finger :) After finishing the wine, we made our way back toward the front of the mansion. As we got closer to the entrance, I noticed Jon was walking us toward the white tent when I heard music playing. It took me a few seconds to realize that the song that was playing was OUR song (“Look After You” by The Fray). Inside the tent, there were flowers and candles everywhere, with a table of food and a cake that said “Happy Birthday and Congratulations Audra” Jon then said “It’s 7:17,” which was the minute that I was born. (Every year a member of my family calls me at this exact time, it's kind of a tradition). With our song playing in the background, and all of the emotion surrounding what had just happened, he told me to go into the room connected to tent. Inside, I found all of our family and friends there!!! It was incredible to share such an important moment with all of the people we love. I still can't believe all the planning and coordination that my future husband did to make this birthday one that I will never forget. He had been planning everything down to perfect detail for a long, long time, and I had NO idea! No one has ever been able to make me feel as truly special and loved as Jon did that day. And now, when I look down at my finger, I relive every moment from that amazing night :)
Details of the wedding:
We currently live in Ohio, so we are having a destination wedding for sure! In fact 53 out of 57 guests invited to the wedding do not live in Florida at all! It is going to be a small, intimate and romantic affair. The overall look I’m going for is simple romantic elegance. We aren’t having bridesmaids or groomsmen because we are only inviting the people that are closest to us in the world, and we therefore couldn’t pick! (My niece and nephew will serve as the FG and RB however-can’t leave those cuties out!) Our ceremony will be on the beach. We are having a solo acoustic guitarist play the ceremony music. I’ll be wearing an ivory Pronovias gown with a silk flower and veil in my hair. Jon will be wearing a gray suit. We are going to have a thick layer of ivory and pale pink rose petals outlining the “aisle” that I’ll be walking down. I’ll be carrying a bouquet of calla lilies, pale pink roses, and ivory stephanotis. Jon’s parents are making us a canopy made of bamboo and ivory cloth draped over it. Our cocktail hour will be on the south side rooftop terrace of the resort. We’re having butler-passed hors d’ouevres, with cocktail napkins with our monogram and wedding date on them. Dinner will be on the north side rooftop terrace. Our centerpieces are simple calla lilies in a vase. Our place cards will be stuck into wine corks (as a reference to our engagement). We’re also going to have a digital guestbook, where our guests will write a message on a chalkboard and take a picture of themselves with the board with a nearby digital camera. Our reception will be on the patio veranda of the resort (we like to keep them moving!) We’re going to have ivory paper lanterns outlining the dance area, and will have sparklers for our big exit.
Why we should be chosen:
I am marrying my best friend. Regardless of how the wedding turns out, he will be my husband at the end of the day. What could be better than that? But because worrying is just part of my nature as a woman, I am pretty nervous about things are going to turn out. We are planning the entire wedding from Ohio. We were only able to afford to come to Florida once during our planning process, and the only vendor we met with was our reception venue. Thus, I have had to place a lot of faith on vendor reviews and the overall “feel” I get from talking to people about their services. I have never met our officiant, my hair stylist, our DJ or wedding musician, our baker, or our photographer, and we will not meet them until the day of the wedding. That fact right there scares a lot of people into not having a destination wedding. But it is just the essence of who Jon and I are as a couple. We have the utmost faith and adoration in each other, and we know that we will be happy regardless of the outcome of that big day. And the thought of saying our vows on the beach (where we had our first kiss) was something we couldn’t pass up. But wouldn’t it be nice to have someone there by side that day to help keep me calm and collected as I agree to spend the rest of my life with a truly amazing human being?
To Vote for Audra & Jonathan send and email to Vanessa@1ofakindevents.net with the subject titled "contest" and include the couples name in the body.
