📸: Blueflash Photography // @blueflashphoto
The Meet Cute
Both Bay Staters, Jillian and Jared became Facebook friends back in high school after realizing they had a lot of mutual friends. Over the years, regular photo “like” exchanges turned into casual messenger chats before gradually developing into more. “Once we began Facetiming while I was away at college, we found ourselves talking for hours each night and had to finally meet in person,” Jillian says. They had their first date at a local bowling alley and the rest, as they say, was history.
The Engagement
Four years later, after landing in Florida on the first day of their vacation, Jillian wanted nothing more than to go to the hotel and take a nap. Jared, however, had bought surprise day passes for Disney’s Magic Kingdom. “I, being overtired and cranky from the flight that morning, was less than amused—I didn’t want to go on rides all day,” Jillian recalls. When Jared suggested a more leisurely gift shop visit instead, Jillian agreed and afterwards they stopped for a photo in their usual spot in front of Cinderella Castle. “But this picture was different; Jared proposed!” she says. “After I screamed and embraced him, I immediately began apologizing for my attitude.” They both laughed and followed up with a celebratory breakfast at Chef Mickeys.
The Vision
A lover of fairytales and a woodsy/boho style, Jillian dubbed her theme “rustic princess.” “The Pavilion’s white canopy tent mixed with little bits of sparkle and lots of flowers fit my vision to a T,” Jillian says. “People often say that they, ‘don’t understand why people waste money on flowers that are just going to die,’ but ours were one of the greatest highlights and people still talk about them today.” After the wedding, the couple replanted the florals at their respective late grandparents’ headstones.
The Process
COVID-19 arrived ten months after the couple’s engagement, but they thought the virus would be long gone by their October 2020 date. “I watched as other couples postponed and was growing anxious. The restrictions on social events just continued to grow stricter,” Jillian says. “But there were no promises of what another year would bring, so we decided to go through with it as planned!” The guest list had to be reduced by more than 100 people, which Jillian says was gut wrenching, but in the end, everyone just wanted the couple to be happy. “And by downsizing we were able to socialize and enjoy much more of our wedding reception than most,” Jillian says. “Also, we were able to save a ton of money that we ended up using for a down payment on our first home!”
The Highlights
“My favorite part was the ceremony. I had told myself and my buddies repeatedly that I wasn’t going to cry…I’m not a crier! But I couldn’t help myself. I’ve never seen her look so beautiful and I just felt so lucky. It was even better than I imagined it would be and it all felt like a dream.” — Jared
“My best friend gave a speech that moved nearly every guest to tears (myself included) and everything looked even better than I could have dreamed. After all the stress caused by the pandemic, it was emotional for our wedding day to finally arrive and actually take place!” — Jillian
The Details
Ceremony, Reception and Catering: The Pavilion at Pinehills Golf Club in Plymouth, MA | Officiant: Kezia Bacon | Hair and Makeup: Beauty Boston/Special Event Beauty | Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero, Alexandra’s Boutique | Groom’s Formalwear: Tux Towne | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Mori Lee, Alexandra’s Boutique | Cake: Konditor Meister| Flowers: Ninety-Two Design Co. | Reception Music: Ken Sisson of Southcoast Entertainment