In contrast to their snowy, at-home engagement session last winter, Zoe and Jon were married on what felt like one of the hottest days all year, exchanging vows under a grand tree on the property of the estate at Knox Farms in East Aurora, NY this September.
With fans and music on full blast in the morning, Zoe got ready with her side of the party in an upstairs bridal suite, while Jon and his guys prepped in a room on the first floor. Once dressed – Jon in his custom-made suit from Bureau and Zoe in a boho-style dress from Lovely Bride – they shared an intimate first look, followed by an exchange of love notes to one another (Zoe’s note to Jon was actually a notebook she had been filling in for the past year when they lived on opposite ends of the state). Guests arrived to the estate welcomed with large-scale printed signs of Zoe and Jon’s beloved fur baby, Olive, and hand-passed flutes of champagne as they took their seats for the ceremony. Zoe was walked down the isle by her brother, with her father’s coat and photo thoughtfully laid on the back of chair beside her mom, and all their siblings sharing special readings as everyone listened on with tears filling their eyes. It was a heartwarming ceremony that conveyed to all the love they have for one another and how much they both cherish those they love. After the ceremony, they celebrated with their guests over drinks and food catered by the Roycroft in an hors d’oeuvres style reception and late night food from Lloyd’s Food Truck. Plush couches from Quaint Rentals were set up on the lawn, and a beautifully decorated tent gathered everyone together to dance the night away with live music from the band, Geno McManus & Stoneflower.
After meeting while volunteering at Cradle Beach Camp in 2005, Zoe and Jon developed a friendship that later brought them together in love in 2009. They have spent most of the past almost decade of their relationship living apart from one another, which made their bond and love for one another even stronger, and consequently, made this wedding day even more special for them. This day not only marked the beginning of a new chapter for them becoming husband and wife, but it also was the start in their next life adventure: selling their home in the Allentown area of Buffalo (where Zoe has lived solo most of the last year) to embark on a grand move across the country, together (where Jon’s job has them now resettled in Pasedena). Needless to say, this wedding day was a long time coming; well worth the wait but simultaneously highly anticipated by all those who know and love them.
Congratulations again, Zoe and Jon! It was an honor to be a part of your day and I can’t wish you both enough happiness as you soak up husband and life in tandem with all the sunshine and new experiences California has to offer!
Special Shout-Out to all the vendors:
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Knox Farms
Caterer: Roycroft
Wedding Planner: Social Maven (Syrie)
Photographer: Dawn M Gibson Photography
Videographer: Brian Debottis
Hair and Makeup: Salon Elizabeth
Bride’s Dress: Rue DeSeine from Lovely Bride
Groom’s Suit: Bureau (Custom made)
Florist: Fern Croft
Cake & Desserts: Blue Eyed Baker
Late Night Food: Lloyd
Band: Geno McManus & Stoneflower
Rentals: Quaint, All season
Transportation: Buffalo Limousine
Signage: T 2 Printing
