JJ & Hilary together light up any room they enter with their fun, loving, and energetic personalities. It is truly wonderful to watch them play off of each other as they share jokes, laugh, and dance! Let’s relive the whimsical summer wedding that was brought to life by Hilary and JJ on August 9th.

Occupations:

Hilary: Manager of Teacher Leadership & Development @ Teach For America

Johnathon: Director of Marketing & Partnership Development @ ThinkLaw

Hometowns:

Hilary is from Spokane, WA

Johnathon was born on base in Bremerton, WA but was raised in Charlotte, NC

Proposal:

Johnathon had a friend of mine reach out to do graduation photos for me at the park under the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge in DC as a gift! He snuck up behind me on a knee!

Day in three words:

Magical, loving, FUN!

First Impressions:

Hilary: He was preppy.

JJ: She was sassy.

First Date: 

Johnathon tried to take Hilary to a French restaurant, but as they were both teaching and coaching, the restaurant was closed by the time they got off. Johnathan said Italian was the next best thing, so we went to Maggiano’s. Looking back I guess it’s no surprise we got married at Commellini’s after Johnathon vetoed my French elopement idea!

First Dance Song:

Can You Stand the Rain by New Edition

Wedding Desserts:

Petit-fours from Marcell’s downtown! AMAZING & gelato

Splurge:

Open Bar & Photography!! Super thankful for Hannah Victoria!!!

Wedding Theme:

Elegant

Whimsical Summer Wedding

Wedding Colors:

Burgundy & Gray w/ rose gold accents

Wedding time:

Ceremony started at 6:30

Number of Guests:

150

Wedding day weather: 

Record setting heat; 108 degrees!

Favorite Ceremony Moment: 

Johnathon: when Hilary walked down the aisle

Hilary: when our officiant Lynn was comparing the growth of our love to our dog Diesel

Favorite Reception moment:

Hilary: so hard to choose but one is when Johnathon and his mom went into a full on dance competition!

Johnathon: My favorite reception moment was playing the shoe game with my wife as it was a fun way to display our relationship dynamics to our friends and family

Favors for Guests:

Rose gold bottle opener keys

Centerpieces:

Centerpieces w/ books & candelabras

Advice to other couples: 

Have fun!

Honeymoon:

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Hilary and JJ celebrated the beginning of their adventure with their closest friends and above all family. This whimsical summer wedding was definitely one for the books. As they start their new life we wish them nothing but happiness, love, and laugher!

Venue: Pondside Ceremony and Main Venue Reception at Commellini Estate

Photographer & Videography: Hannah Victoria Photography

DJ: DJ Gellis

Florist: Safeway– Kaitlyn Perrault

Cake: Marsells Cakes

Catering: Commellini Estate

Officiant: Mentor and EWU Dean- Lynn Briggs