Vintage setting for a ceremony
DATE: July 3 HER STORY: Jessica Lynn Elwell, 29, is from Clarks Summit, Pa. She is a speechlanguage pathologist at Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders in Baltimore. Her parents, Hank and Debbie Elwell, reside in Clarks Summit.
HIS STORY: Jordan Daniel Blaker, 29, is from Baltimore. He is a financial consultant at Charles Schwab in Annapolis. His parents are Eric and Arlene Blaker, who live in Baltimore, and Mitch and Sandy Shapiro, who split their time between Baltimore and Boca Raton, Fla.
THEIR STORY: Jessie and Jordan first met in 2010 in Baltimore. They were both out with friends when Jordan spotted Jessie. He introduced himself and made a good enough impression to get her number.
The next week, they went on their first date at Vaccaro’s Italian Pastry Shop in Little Italy. Jordan said he was initially drawn to Jessie’s enthusiasm for sports and her love of her career and family.
“I thought he was really good looking and extremely smart,” Jessie said. “He was incredibly easy to talk to, and we quickly found out how important our families and careers were to both of us. Even though we come from different backgrounds, we found that we shared the same values, which is what matters.”
THE PROPOSAL: On April 18, 2015, Jessie and Jordan were out for a run at Fort McHenry when he popped the question. Jessie was tipped off that something was going to happen when the usually calm and collected Jordan acted nervous.
“I was honestly just so excited it was finally happening,” she recalled. “It had been a long time coming but it was worth the wait. It was really cute to see how nervous he was, especially since he is one of the least nervous people I know.” The couple live in downtown Baltimore. VENUE: The couple got married and had their reception at Breaux Vineyards in Northern Virginia before 130 guests. They had an interfaith outdoor ceremony among the vines, officiated by the Rev. Patrick Carrion and cantor Jan Morrison. The reception was held inside the vineyard’s ballroom.
FLOWERS AND DECOR: The wedding colors were blush and ivory with touches of
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gold. Flowers and decor were provided by Everlasting Flowers in Virginia. Jessie used blue ribbon to tie her grandmother’s gold heart locket around her bouquet (her “something old and something blue”).
HER DRESS: Jessie wore Sottero and Midgley’s Zariah gown from The Bridal Boutique in Columbia. The strapless A-line dress was ivory and silver over light gold with glimmering lace appliques and a sweetheart neckline.
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Bridesmaids wore Jenny Yoo’s Aidan blush convertible, strapless chiffon gowns from Nordstrom.
MEN’S ATTIRE: Jordan wore an indigo blue three-piece suit from Indochino. Groomsmen wore indigo blue two-piece suits from Indochino.
MUSIC: The couple had a string quartet for the ceremony and cocktail hour. DJ Randy Platts provided music for the reception.
FOOD AND DESSERT: R&R Catering provided food. Hors d’oeuvres included: a bruschetta presentation; a gourmet cheese and olive display; a Southwest turkey sliders station; and ahi tuna on black sesame croutons with ginger and wasabi. Dinner consisted of a baby shrimp, raspberry and mango salad; and a duo entree with Costa Rican red snapper and chicken saltimbocca, which was served with asparagus and caramelized onions, roasted red peppers, and mashed cauliflower. The couple also served a raspberry amaretto cake from SugarBakers Cakes.
FAVORS: In lieu of favors, the couple made a donation in their guests’ honor to the American Cancer Society.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: Jessie and Jordan had a wine-tasting station set up.
The couple had guests hold sparklers as they exited the reception to celebrate Independence Day weekend.