Janell and Joe embraced Shakespeare for a Midsummer’s Night Dream inspired wedding mash up with a streak of city chic. Needless to say, this wedding was the definition of fun. Without Midsummer’s Puck, of course. Or any lesson plans from high school, where these two met over ten years ago. Joe proposed to Janell in one of the most artistic, creative ways in South Beach, a winter engagement ahead of a fantastic summer wedding in the unconventional venue of a florist shop!
Wedding Date: August 1, 2014
Wedding Location: A New Leaf, Chicago, IL
First Dance Song: “Precious Love” by Otis Redding + a surprise cut to Wu-Tang Clan’s “Triumph”
Favorite Item on the Menu: The entire cake table! The key lime cake with graham cracker crust, especially!
Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal!
I was in high school when we first met. We didn’t actually begin a courtship or even come close to being romantically involved until over 10 years later! When we ran into each other again years later, I do remember going home and writing in my journal that “I ran into an old friend today” and that it was really great to be around someone who knew me back when I was so hopeful and happy about the future and life’s possibilities—and still had that energy about him.
We were in Miami in December 2013 to experience our first ever Art Basel event. Joe arrived a few days before to paint a couple of murals out there with his graffiti crew. He embedded an engagement ring (spray painted) in one of the murals to complement the one he’d been carrying around in his pocket all weekend—I didn’t even see the hidden mural icon on the wall, so he took the overt route later that evening on the beach walk path along South Beach. After leaving an event, we were walking back to our hotel, me slightly in front. Joe started professing his love and his life with me. I turned around to question the origin of this sudden declaration, I found him on one knee, with the sea at his back and the moon lighting the moment. After a hectic and exciting day, we were all alone in the quiet of the night and it was perfect.
My dress had a vintage romance feel with a slightly modern cut. It had a sweetheart neckline with a super low backless to show off my “love” tattoo, lace all over, and was a trumpet fit. My favorite accessory would have to be the gardenia in my hair and later in the evening, my hair wreath.
Culture
We jumped the broom, an actual broom that’s been hanging in my mother’s home all my life. Poems from Nikki Giovanni were read during the ceremony as well.
Memories
Oh there are just so many! My top three memories, in no particular order, must be: The surprise dance number me and my girls pulled off for my groom; the sacred moment that was our ring warming ceremony with family; and seeing everyone have a ball with our customized hand-designed props for our photobooth!
Help a bride-to-be out!
Invest in valuable collaborative time with your fiancé early in the process to decide what’s most authentic to you both. Let your wedding be whatever you and your future hubby wish it to be and go forth with unwavering conviction that no matter what happens the day of, it will undoubtedly be lovely, because it will be a reflection of your love.
Vendors:
Photographer: Oriana Koren
Venue/Florist/Candle Lighting: A New Leaf
Attire: Brides by Demetrios, Badgley Mischka
Makeup: Beat by Carolyn
Hair: Telona Wilson
Officiant: Meaningful Marguerite
Catering: Marcellos
Sweetheart Table: Rent Vintage Chicago
Videographer: Bradley Murray
Cake Table: Cookie Crumb Cupcakes
Vocalist: Kai B. Vocals
Entertainment: DJ Kwest_on
Your wedding was incredibly unique!
THANK YOU. Looking back on it, I can’t help but smile at just how much fun it all was ;)
I’m tearing up now just remembering it! It was a beautiful event, aesthetically and spiritually, and I’m so glad to have been a part of it.