Wedding | Meg & Jack

Tell us a little about yourselves!

Our love story began, we both agree, with what we intended to be a summer fling. We both grew up in San Diego, California, and went to nearby rival high schools. At the end of our senior year, we were set up by a mutual friend. In a few months we’d be moving away for college — Meg to Washington, D.C. and Jack to New York’s Hudson Valley. But at the end of the summer, we decided to attempt long distance and take things one trip at a time.

Fast forward 12 years, still together and still in love — after 6 months of high school, 4 years of college, 5 years of post-grad life in NYC, 2 years of graduate school, and 1 year now in Chicago — we felt more than ready to say “I do.”

We got engaged in Tokyo, the city where Jack was born and also our shared happy place, on our third trip there together as a couple.

Why did you decide to get married where you did?

We’re both nostalgic people (also the name of Jack’s high school band). Having grown up in San Diego, and fallen in love there, we always knew we wanted a hometown wedding.

Meg spent most of her childhood in a San Diego neighborhood called Rancho Santa Fe, known for its large ranches, rolling orchards, and many horse trails. We decided to have our wedding at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, a country-style inn at the head of the town’s main drag. The venue held many special memories for Meg and her family and friends: it’s where they would go for special dinners, where her middle school graduation was held, and where she had her very first kiss (no, unfortunately not with Jack!).

How many guests did you have?

We had around 140 guests, including us, family, friends, and one wedding crasher.

What was your budget?

Well... there was the initial budget, and then what it came in at in the end, which were two very different things.

Tell us about your outfits.

Meg: WED was on my radar for years before I got engaged. I love their clever use of unexpected materials and how their designs feel truly fashionable, yet always playful and never pretentious. I initially explored their bespoke offering but soon admitted to myself that 1-2 trips to London wasn’t in the cards. So, it was ideal when I came across a selection of their gowns at LA’s LOHO Bride. The seed had already been planted, so I almost immediately said yes to WED’s Corset Tie Dress, in the original Japanese taffeta fabrication. I’ve always been drawn to the fun youthfulness of a shorter dress (in high school, I was the only one in the group who wore a short dress to prom). So, one of my favorite aspects of the dress was its tea length, which I fully capitalized on for an epic shoe moment with a pair of crystalized Chanel slingbacks with a pop-of-black bow (which coordinated nicely with Jack’s black tuxedo). My LOHO stylist brilliantly suggested I complete the look with a tulle bolero from HONOR, which provided so much versatility on our wedding day. I wore the bolero for our ceremony but took it off for cocktail hour and reception.

I also knew I wanted to incorporate a nod to Jack’s Japanese side into my ensemble. For this, I worked with Sara Sakanaka, the founder of Considered Objects, on custom ribbons for my bridal bouquet. Sara sourced antique Japanese obi and kimono fabric to make the ribbons. She then hand-beaded them with silver and ivory glass beads to add a sparkle to tie in with my sparkly shoes. The finished pieces were not only stunning and unique, but also very meaningful to me, Jack, and Jack’s family. And the experience of working with an artist as talented and thoughtful as Sara was amazing in and of itself.

The final element of my main ensemble was a custom statement charm bracelet hand crafted by the Paris-based singular talent Zoé Mohm — a commission expertly facilitated by Sarah Burns and Adam Caillier of OLD JEWELRY. My mom and I briefly met Zoé, Sarah, and Adam at one of Zoé’s showcases at the Old Jewelery Store in NYC’s Chinatown. We were blown away by the intricacy of Zoé’s creations, and how light and wearable they were despite being statement pieces. We both bought a pair of earrings on the spot and started chatting about what a custom wedding commission could look like. Zoé ultimately fashioned the most out-of-this-world charm bracelet out of woven, braided sterling silver and dusty pink tourmalines, with hellebore-shaped charms to mirror the florals at our wedding.

For my second look, I was set on becoming a Super Yaya bride — somewhat of a trend that had been organically emerging, and is now embraced by the label, with the addition of their bridal section. I didn’t hesitate for a second when I saw Super Yaya’s impossibly fun bow trousers, styled with a high-drama fold-over neck blouse. I left the pants as is, but worked with the genius team at Sophos (Chicago’s coolest alterations boutique, and no joke, my second home) to redesign the top for the dance floor: they created a more cropped and form-fitting silhouette by adding the most perfect princess seams.

I wasn’t originally going to have a third look, but I couldn’t stop thinking about a Chanel 2023 Spring/Summer mini dress I found on The Real Real. The silver metallic lace, the asymmetrical black tweed neckline, the pink tinsel trimming … it all spoke to me, as I loved the idea of symbolically shedding the bridal white by the end of the night. For shoes, I wore a pair of black, crystal-embellished Valentino platforms, a little shout-out to my best friend and brides-man who works for the iconic house. The Sophos team once again worked their magic, transforming the dress’s column silhouette into a classic A-line to create more waist definition. I wore the outfit for all of 30 minutes (plus the after party), and what a glorious half hour it was.

Finally, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention my mom’s gown. For as much time as I spent refining my own looks, I poured nearly as much energy into finding the perfect MOB dress. Our wedding palette leaned into dark, moody shades of burgundy, chocolate brown, and plum — evoking autumn and offering an unexpected contrast to the bright, sunny San Diego backdrop. I wanted my mom’s dress to embody this moodiness and elegance.

After months of hunting, my mom and I finally struck gold in the form of a 2006 Fall/Winter Christian Dior by John Galliano dress, sourced by the renowned LA-based vintage dealer Persephone Vintage (and worn by beauty editor Tish Weinstock on the back of her book How to Be a Goth). Rich aubergine velvet embossed with floral motifs and Dior script, silk chiffon ruffles, and a mesh asymmetrical neckline came together to create this sartorial dream. It was the dress for our wedding, and my mom rocked it with the utmost style and grace.

Jack: Before our wedding, I had only ever rented tuxedos — shout-out to The Black Tux — but this felt like the right occasion to finally invest in my own. For this, I worked with the great Zach and Kirsten Uttich at BLVDier. It was my first time ordering anything “made-to-measure,” and it was a wonderful experience: learning some tuxedo history, sifting through fabric books, and getting fitted by Zach over the course of three appointments. I ultimately chose a notch-lapel tuxedo made of Holland & Sherry Super 170s wool, paired with a custom tux shirt. I couldn’t recommend BLVDier more highly.

For shoes, I went with patent leather Carlyle Oxfords from Allen Edmonds, a brand I’ve long trusted for dress shoes and one that conveniently has a store next door to my office.

My biggest splurge, however, was my watch. As Meg can attest, I spent far too much time on watch Instagram and YouTube in the months leading up to the wedding, mulling over whether to get a Grand Seiko, a Nomos, or a Rolex. While it’s customary (or so I read) to wear a leather-band dress watch or no watch at all with a tuxedo, I wanted something versatile enough for everyday wear as well.

That led me to the 36mm Rolex Explorer. There’s an understated elegance to it, and I could see myself buying it and then finally stopping my obsessive thinking about watches for a while. Where did I end up getting one? This may sound funny and borderline dangerous, but the answer is Reddit, specifically the r/WatchExchange subreddit. It’s actually a great place to buy a watch, provided you find a seller with a credible history and solid testimonials. The 2002 Explorer I chose was purchased from u/dayman-v-nightman, a great seller who got the watch to me from Australia (thanks mate!) to San Diego just days before the wedding.

What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?

It was important for the overall look and feel of our wedding to reflect our taste. In some cases, this meant sourcing objects through non-traditional channels. When we weren’t loving the vessels and pendants available to rent through local vendors, we searched for artists who would be willing to create custom pieces for us. Our talented and resourceful florist Annette Gomez tapped her ceramist friend Clay by Claire to create a beautiful custom ceramic collection for our tabletop florals. Claire designed a total of 110 compotes and bowls for our tablescape, all rendered in a rich oxblood color to match Annette’s florals.

We also reached out to Camila Gaza Manly, an artist whose dreamy 3D creations decorated our apartment shelves, to ask if she’d be willing to make a custom variation of her pearly Aphrodite Vase for our reception tables. Collaborating with Camila was such an amazing experience, that immediately after she finished making 40 custom pearly vases, we asked if she would also design a pendant to hang over the dance floor. We explored several concepts before landing on a chandelier composed of hanging 3D-printed floral and abstract elements, strung together by undetectable fishing line. The final piece was gorgeous on its own, but truly came to life once installed, casting a textured light across the sailcloth tent.

It was a joy to collaborate with these brilliant artists, and made our day all the more special to know the people behind the design elements — and to feel their support through the immense creativity, care, and thought they poured into the event. Now, looking back on the photos, our appreciation only grows. As English majors, we’re reminded of poet John Keats’ famous line, “a thing of beauty is a joy forever.”

Were there any elements that were important for you to incorporate?

Like most couples, we wanted our wedding to feel personal and intrinsically meaningful to us. This meant spending entire afternoons reading poetry books aloud to one another, cover to cover, in search of the most resonant poem for our ceremony; curating the bathroom amenities with our favorite mints, hand soaps, and scented candles; and weaving in elements from our go-to date night spot in Chicago, Avec, into our menu — like their cookies and cream affogato and their green-juice-based “For Your Health” cocktail. It was a joy to scatter these Easter eggs of our relationship throughout the celebration.

Any tips for couples getting married?

Be open to where the process takes you. We never thought we’d be those people who get “into their wedding,” but the deeper we got into planning, the more it became a creative outlet — and a way to honor our journey and essence as a couple. And there’s no shame in that!

Are there any vendors that you would like to tell us a little more about?

Yes! Our photography team, The Shalom Imaginative, was the first vendor we hired, and set the bar extremely high. Shalom founders and creative directors Nate and Amanda have truly thought of everything so you don’t have to. From detailed introductory packets, to an excellent vendor recommendation guide, to comprehensive event detail and shot-list sheets, Shalom’s seamless process makes preparing for wedding photography enjoyable and stress-free.

Our lead photographer, Vanessa, is someone we couldn’t recommend more highly. Vanessa was a calming presence all day, while knowing exactly when to step in and keep things moving (especially with our large wedding party). Neither of us love the spotlight, and we tend to overthink posing, but Vanessa had a natural way of guiding us and helping us feel relaxed. At one point while taking our couple’s portraits, we got overwhelmed by the number of people around (family! bridesmaids! groomsmen! planning assistants!). We gently asked if everyone could step away so we could have time with just Vanessa. We felt the most comfortable and safe with her, and had full confidence in her ability to nail the shots without input from anyone else.

We were thrilled with the final suite of photos, which were half film and half digital. Vanessa’s thoughtfulness, empathy, and mad-cool style came through in every frame. As our best friend browsed the gallery, she said, “wow, even the most basic moments look … I don’t know how else to say it … just ‘sexy’ and ‘cool’.” We couldn’t agree more.

Another team we loved working with was Happy Menocal Studio, who we discovered through a Financial Times article about wedding invitations. Happy and her team (shout-out to Hillary, Sarah, and Vanessa) were a joy to collaborate with and did a beautiful job imagining an entire visual world for our wedding. The palette, style, and essence they created for our custom emblem and invitation suite eventually informed every other aspect of the wedding, from florals, to attire, to furniture choices.

Happy Menocal Studio’s creativity is unmatched. Every time we brought them a bonkers idea, they leaned into it and knew exactly how to run with it. For our invitation suite, they incorporated a thick metallic engraving and magnificent pistachio-colored swirls. For our reception menus, they used heavy burgundy tassels and the coolest gothic font. For escort cards, they made custom-cut cards in various “fantasy botanical” shapes, specifically designed for the wooden card holders they’d sit in. They surprised and delighted with every idea, sketch, and proof that landed in our inbox.

And of course, our fearless captain: Merilee Hennings, founder and owner of EverAfter Events was the seasoned veteran we were incredibly lucky to have at the helm. She has built a planning experience, and assembled an expert team behind her, that makes the process feel truly luxurious. Merilee guided us through every stage with wisdom, sound judgement, and grace, and balanced a respect for the tried-and-true with a zest for new and exciting ideas.

Photographer: The Shalom Imaginative @theshalomimaginative | Planning: EverAfter Events

@everafterevents | Flora: Flowers Annette Gomez @flowersannettegomez | Videographer: Stockham

 Media @stockhammedia | Ceremony & Reception Location: The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe @theinnatrsf | Celebrant: Ceremonies by Larissa @ceremoniesbylarissa | Makeup Artist: Sara Mascara Bridal  @saramascarabridal | Hair Stylist: A Petite Salon @apetitesalon | Catering & Beverages: The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe @theinnatrsf | Ceremony Apéritif: Ghia  @drinkghia | Cake: Bake Station Double Zero @bakestation00 | Stationery: Happy Menocal Studio @happymenocalstudio | Reception DJ: DJ Paul Cherry, Dart Collective @paulcherry69 @dartcollective | Ceremony & Cocktail Hour Harpist: Liza Wallace

Dart Collective @lizasarpa | Photobooth: Union Booth @unionbooth | Custom Chandelier: Camila Gaza Manly @camilagazamanly | Ceremony Dress: WED @wedstudio_ | Bolero: HONOR  @honornyc from LOHO Bride @loho_bride| Ceremony Shoes: Chanel @chanelofficial | Bow Pants & Blouse: Super Yaya  @superyaya100 | Reception Shoes: DÔEN @shopdoen | Dancing Outfit: Chanel  @chanelofficial | Dancing Shoes: Valentino  @maisonvalentino | Party Sunglasses: Rebecca Gardner, Houses & Parties 

@housesandparties | Specialty Tailoring: Sophos Chicago @sophosco | Groom's Custom Tuxedo:  BLVDier @blvdier | Groom's Shoes: Allen Edmonds @allenedmonds | Engagement Ring: Alber Rezko Jewelry Design @alberrezko | Wedding Rings: Kataoka Jewelry @kataoka_jewelry | Charm Bracelet: Zoé Mohm @zoemohm X Old Jewelry @old_jewelry | Bride's Earrings: Tiffany & Co. @tiffanyandco | Wedding

Party Attire: Jean Paul Gaultier @jeanpaulgaultier, SIR  @sir__ | Reception Tent & Draping: Bright Event Rentals  @brighteventrentals | Linens: BBJ La Tavola @bbjlatavola | Tableware Rentals: Casa de Perrin  @casadeperrin | Furniture Hire:  Found Rentals  @foundrentalco | Reception Chairs: Town & Country  @townandcountry_eventrentals | Custom Vessels for Reception Florals: Camila Gaza Manly @ camila

gazamanly; Clay by Claire @_claybyclaire