Familiarity at first sight
DATE: March 18 HER STORY: Jennifer Ahn, 34, was born and raised in Baltimore. She works as a pediatric urologist at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Her parents, Hyo and Soon Ahn, live in Cockeysville.
HIS STORY: Justin Kolbeck, 36, was born and raised in Orange, Calif. He works as a management consultant at Strategy& in Seattle. His parents, Michael and Pattie Kolbeck, live in Riverside, Calif.; and Chuck and Kerri McCutchan, live in Irvine, Calif.
THEIR STORY: The two met in New York City in January 2015.
“It felt like a happy reunion with an old friend,” Jennifer recalled. “It was a strange feeling of ‘I’ve known this person forever.’ There was this familiarity.”
The relationship formed almost instantly despite Jennifer’s leaving New York City for five weeks shortly after they met.
“I was in Miami for work,” she explained. “When I came back, we reconnected. And then I moved to Seattle five weeks after that.”
After six months of dating, Justin moved to Seattle to be with her. “It was pretty instant,” she said. The couple still lives in Seattle. THE PROPOSAL: Justin proposed September 25, 2016.
The couple was enjoying one of the last sunny and warm days of summer at the beach in Seattle when Justin popped the question, according to Jennifer.
“Justin proposed as the sun was setting over the Olympic Mountains,” she recalled. “I said ‘yes,’ and we celebrated over pizza — our Sunday tradition.”
She added: “It was pretty low-key, which is pretty much both of our styles. There were some tears.”
They told their families and friends about the engagement the next day.
“We kind of took that evening to enjoy ourselves and celebrate over the Sunday tradition,” she said.
VENUE: One hundred fifty guests attended the ceremony at the Basilica of the Assumption and reception at the George Peabody Library.
FLOWERS AND DECOR: The Floral Studio provided the flowers in a color scheme of white, buttercream, peach and green accents. Kate Bittrick of Elizabeth Bailey Weddings planned the wedding.
BRIDE’S DRESS: Jennifer wore a strapless Wtoo by Watters ivory gown with a small sweetheart neckline and a lace overlay from Bellevue Bridal Boutique in Seattle.
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES: Bridesmaids wore their choice of gray dresses.
MEN’S ATTIRE: Justin wore a custom navy suit from a tailor he met in New York. Groomsmen wore their choice of navy suits.
FOOD: The wedding was catered by Occasions. The first course consisted of burrata with elderflower melon. The main course was a choice of beef short ribs, miso black cod or risotto cakes. A dessert bar consisted of chocolate truffle pops, key lime tartlets, apple doughnut fritter and salted caramel cheesecakes. The couple also served a funfetti-flavored cake, which they baked. A dark chocolate groom’s cake was baked by Andrea van Batavia, a friend.
MUSIC: Jason Wallace of District Remix provided the music. The couple’s first dance was to “La Vie En Rose” by Louis Armstrong.
FAVORS: They gave Berger Cookies for favors.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: The couple went to Paris and Marseille, France, for their honeymoon.