I was just completely taken aback when I saw Jess. And, then walking around Central Park with her... I felt on top of the world.
Jonathan
Q1
How did your proposal unfold? Was it a surprise?
JESSICA: Yes it was a surprise! Jon planned to take me to Napa for a long weekend to celebrate my birthday. He suggested I visit my friend who lives in San Francisco for 2 days before and then he would pick me up and drive to Napa. I had no idea that he was coordinating with my girlfriend Debbie the entire time. Looking back, I remember using her computer and saw a text message pop up from a “Seth Gold,” a man I have never heard of which had me wondering if she was having an affair because she ripped the computer away from me lol.. little did I know Jon and Debbie had code names for each other in their phones for situations like this. The next day (day before he was supposed to pick me up), Debbie told me that she wanted to show me this special park by the Golden Gate bridge. She then was cold (it was about 80 degrees) so ran to the car to get a jacket. I was standing on a pier watching a regatta when I saw Jon walking down to meet me there with roses and champagne. His proposal was very sweet but I blacked out so made him do it again! Our weekend to Napa started a day early & I can honestly say, San Francisco really is the city of love.
Q2
On your day, what was your first thought when you woke up in the morning?
JESSICA: First thought was wow, I am a little hungover from the rehearsal dinner! Then my sister and I took a walk around the park and it was just the prettiest day ever. Then it hit me– tonight I will be a MARRIED WOMAN!
JONATHAN: Well, to be honest, the first thing I thought was, how much did I drink last night? My cousins convinced me to stay out late at the bar and I was so excited about the event and having everyone there so I just kept drinking.
Q3
What was a highlight of your wedding day?
JESSICA: I know it sounds cliché but it was being with my closest friends and family. The whole day was special – the getting ready with my ladies, to the first look, to dancing all night with everyone – it was pure magic!
JONATHAN: The highlight of my wedding day was the first look. I was just completely taken aback when I saw Jess. And, then walking around Central Park with her… I felt on top of the world.
Q4
What wedding planning decision was the easiest one to make? What was the most difficult?
JESSICA: The easiest decision by far was the photographer / videographer / wedding planner. I loved my sister’s pictures and the energy the team brought so those were two-second decisions. The band was the most difficult as my diva husband set up about 100 meetings with different bands. But in the end, we were ecstatic with our choice so I guess he did a great job. People danced all night and the band brought the guitar player from the Allman Brothers for a special rendition of “Jessica” in my honor.
JONATHAN: The easiest decision to make was actually choosing the photographer and videographer… Jessica’s sister and my best friend (and Best Man who is married to Jessica’s sister) used them for their wedding, and that was one thing that we knew we wanted. The most difficult was choosing the band… music is not only important to us, but we also felt that it helps drive the party. We wanted a band that was both unique among our group of friends but could do traditional stuff like the horah.. we were really happy with Valerie and the Starlight band.
My grandpa always told me that the Pierre is the best venue so Papa knows best! I am also a franco-phile.
Jessica
Q5
What did you base your choice of location on?
JESSICA: We based the location of what would be easiest for family. I am from Long Island and my husband is from Connecticut so NYC seemed the best option. Also, my grandpa always told me that the Pierre is the best venue so Papa knows best! I am also a franco-phile.
JONATHAN: We decided to do it in NYC because both of our families are in the East Coast and we felt it was a great option that was fun and easy for all of the guests.
Q6
Describe any specific family or cultural traditions that were important to you during your wedding planning.
JESSICA: My husband wanted me to circle him 7 times as he is traditional and wants every blessing he can get. So, I did it but my bustle broke and I was tripping on my dress. My sister and Matron of Honor was 8 ½ months pregnant so she could not really help me with the dress so during the act, my husband got down and held my dress as I circled which was both a funny and a tender moment.
JONATHAN: We wanted a Jewish wedding but also one that reflected our relationship with religion as well. We were really happy with our Rabbi who both honored Jewish traditions (i.e. ketubah, breaking the glass) but was also progressive in many ways too.
...my husband got down and held my dress as I circled which was both a funny and a tender moment.
Jessica
Q7
What do you hope your guests remember most about your wedding day?
JESSICA: The love in the room, how much fun and indulgent it was! The menu was playful and not very wedding-y if that is a word. Also, I made sure there was a cocktail bar on the dance floor so nobody had to walk too far. I just wanted everyone to have fun and that is what I remember. I feel like you can forget details of an event but you always remember how you felt.
JONATHAN: I hope our guests remember all the love and the fun in the room. People remember most how they feel, so I hope those feelings stay with them.
Q8
Is there anything you would do differently?
JONATHAN: Really nothing. If I were to pick one thing it may have been to come down earlier and spend more time greeting guests in the cocktail hour, because it was a very large party and there were actually some people I didn’t even get to spend much time with and some I didn’t even get to speak to, which is crazy to me.
JESSICA: Nope. Um, actually I would’ve practiced circling in my dress…
We wanted a band that was both unique among our group of friends but could do traditional stuff like the horah.. we were really happy with Valerie and the Starlight band.
JONATHAN
Dancing all night with everyone – it was pure magic!
JESSICA
Q9
Which quality do you most admire about one another?
JESSICA: I admire a million things about him but in regards to the wedding, Jon was very supportive and has an insane work ethic. He values family in the same way I do. Also, he’s always showing me that we are in this thing together. Anything that is important to me is important to him. We are a team.
JONATHAN: I admire how Jessica always puts others first and has an unwavering commitment to make sure every guest is thoughtfully cared for at the party. For instance, two people had birthdays that night. Jessica even thought to bring them special custom birthday cakes! The list goes on…
Q10
What is the most valuable thing that you have learned from each other?
JESSICA: That we both have a partner for life.
JONATHAN: I think planning a wedding takes a lot of teamwork and involves a lot of things that you never really had to deal with before, especially involving bringing together families. I really feel like it was a good training ground for life, raising a family, and collaborating to make an awesome home for our family.
We both have a partner for life.
Jessica
Credits
- Second Photographer Alexis Silver
- Planner Alimay Events
- Ceremony and Reception Venue The Pierre Hotel
- Cake Ron Ben-Israel
- Dress Monique Lhullier
- Lighting Frost
- Floral Design Lewis Miller Design
- Hair / Make-up Allen Thomas Wood / Stephanie Perez
- Ceremony Music Gale Curtis
- Reception Music Starlight Orchestras
With a graduate degree in painting, Nathan Smith brings a distinctly compositional sensibility to his work at The Day, where he is also known as the house philosopher. Having extensive experience living internationally, Nathan has a special ability to pick out the unique beauty of varying cultural traditions—something he is able to do whether the wedding is in New York or a more exotic destination.
