Want to see a wedding set in a timeless location with perfectly intentional details and the most passionate couple? Here you go.
Jennifer and Gordon tied the knot with their two children at Schloss Berlepsch, a romantic castle in Hesse, Germany. The Georgia couple, along with their 20 closest friends and family, enjoyed good food, stories, and wine on this intimate and much-anticipated day. Peach Perfect Weddings and Flora & Grace teamed up to form a dynamic duo that made the day all that the couple envisioned. Vergiss Mein Nicht created florals that included hints of blue to represent Gordon’s service in the Air Force. Nelli Olfert glammed up Jennifer’s hair and makeup accenting all of her natural beauty. The collaboration of amazing vendors paired together with a location fit for a King and Queen made for the most magical day.
How did you meet?
eHarmony. We posted on our wedding website our story, from each perspective.
Gordon: “Hi!” she confidently said as she walked up to me outside the restaurant. Only the bright green winter frog hat with foot-long tassels was more noticeable than her beautiful smile. Pleasantries aside, we walked into a wonderful dinner talking about family, interests, life. Not many details of the conversation remain in my memory, but the moment I turned down a second beer from the waitress stuck with me—“Does that mean you’re not having a good time?” she asked. “Usually if someone doesn’t want a second drink it’s because the date’s not going well.” As I smiled and ordered another drink, I thought to myself “beautiful, confident, AND fearlessly honest!” (Little did I know!)
The date continued into the birth of an incredible friendship and attraction that I had never previously experienced. I grew amazed at her honesty and kindness, her genuine desire to help me through difficulties with recent life changes, her successful career and her emotional control. Apparently, the latter was an effort on her part not to come across too strong, but I misinterpreted it as an inability to love in the way I sought—deep, true, God-centered, lasting. And so we took a break from dating, but I “came crawling back” (as she likes to say) after a long discussion about what we wanted in life made me realize she was the real deal. A few more years of sharing life made me realize I had fallen in love with my best friend, as opposed to searching for friendship in someone you think you love. It was as if we planted a seed that had grown slowly, almost unnoticeable, in a soil of shared moments and memories that had grown into a healthy flower that needed only a little more water to blossom.
And soon Independence Day 2019, with our children present as we watched fireworks from a boat on Florida’s Indian River, I asked her to marry me. I caught her completely by surprise, but she still couldn’t turn me down. We planned and promised to hold each other through the good and bad, and I look forward to a life with my closest companion and truest love.
Jenny: After much pressure from friends and family to date, I decided to meet some guy named Gordon in downtown Macon. The thought of choosing to be away from my daughter for a couple of hours was foreign to me. We went to a well-known local pub called the Rookery. He didn’t want a second drink, so I assumed it wasn’t going well. He laughed and ordered another. We spent the entire night talking, drinking, and laughing. As we later sat at Just Tapped, he told me his entire story. I felt bad for the guy. He seemed so pleasant, understanding, and far too sweet to be the man he was describing from his wife’s opinion. He asked, “What’s that look for?” I confidently said, “You aren’t ready to date.”
Sure, we dated for a few months, but I kept my emotional distance. He was an awesome guy, and I knew he’d let me go. I wasn’t about to give my heart to someone who wasn’t ready to hold it. A few months later, I was at The 57th Fighter Group Restaurant, watching a family get ready for a biplane ride. All I could think about was how that Gordon guy and James would love it there. I pulled out my phone, and I texted Gordon about it and told him he just had to go. Little did I know that would ignite a beautiful friendship. We decided to hang out as friends, since we did enjoy each other’s company. Slowly but surely, we grew closer. Until one day, Patch said he needed to talk to me about something. In my mind, I assumed it was time to “not to hang out” anymore. Turns out, he wanted a “boyfriend” title. Out of sheer panic, my response was, “why fix what ain’t broken?” The rest is history.
Over the years, we have grown so close I can’t believe either of us was ever afraid to open up to the other. That may be why I feel what we have is so rare, so beautiful, so life changing. We fell in love so slowly that even now, 4 years later, I love him more every day, I even like him more everyday (which is not the same thing as current couples know). As time goes on, I even want to grow deeper in love, even though I don’t know how that could be possible. It was not even a thought that I wouldn’t say yes on that July 4th evening. I was more shocked that a man like him fell for a crazy woman like me. Being with him is like hitting a jackpot you didn’t know existed. He is a kind, loving, handsome, strong, and most importantly wonderful Man of God. Our love gets deeper with each passing day. I know that no matter what life may throw at us we will always get through it, we will always be a team, and we won’t let what we have slip away because we know how precious our love really is. So on December 20th in front of friends, family, and our Almighty God, I will make the promise to my bestfriend, my lover, my new world….my Patch….to be the wife he needs, the wife he wants, the wife he truly deserves.
What is your proposal story?
July 4th is his favorite holiday. I always told him I hate those cliche’ proposals on holidays, because then that holiday is ruined and now its the engagement story or wedding story, or the time…..instead of the holiday. However, July 4th is HIS favorite holiday. I say that to emphasize that he loves July4th, almost as much as I love Christmas. My favorite thing in the world is to be out on the water. I’ve always said I am going to retire on a houseboat in Florida. Well he is from Florida, and his dad still lives there. We went to his dad’s house the week of July 4th in 2019. We went out on the water early afternoon to get a good spot during the fireworks. We had my daughter and his son with us as well.
At the finale of the fireworks, he knelt down and asked me if I wanted to be an Olde, I said of course laughing not realizing what was going on, and removed my most valuable ring (on my wedding ring finger) and placed it on the opposite hand. That ring was mined by my Godfather in Africa, and the gold was from South America. He lived all over the world working for the Air Force and handmade/special made the ring for my Godmother. I said only the “right” man could remove it. He did. And then he asked if I would marry him. I said, “are you sure?” probably ten times before I believed him. He placed the ring on my finger, we kissed, and then his son cried and hugged me and said “Finally!” It was a beautiful moment! (albeit cheesy)
Tell us a little a bit about your wedding (your vision, color, style, and location choices).
Gordon grew up at Ramstein AFB as a kid. We had planned to go to Germany for Christmas, to visit his Brother, who is stationed there. He wanted to be married in a castle, so I said, let’s do it while we are there, and we decided to plan a wedding in 5 months. August to December.
Tell us about your attire choices.
I saw this dress online and knew I had to have it. I was worried, due to the quick timeline that I wouldn’t get it. Turns out the dress is handmade/stitched per person. But with the right money, they were willing to rush it. Luckily, it fit the moment it came in. It was perfect. For him, I saw this AWESOME groom’s suit there and he loved it too. Even came with a matching kid’s suit. It was perfect. Then my daughter loves GLITZ GLAMOUR GLITTER, so I found a perfect princess dress for her at the same salon. Bridals by Lori was so amazing!
What was the most important to the two of you while planning? Was there anything that you chose to splurge on or skip?
Peach Perfect made everything so easy. We didn’t have to plan a thing. We just told them all the things we wanted, and it was like Elvira knew what we were thinking. We splurged on the horse/carriage ride to and from the castle – twice the amount of photo and video time, and paid extra for the chapel next to the castle. And a tour for the guests, and everything. We kept it simple, but it was so elegant. Being at Schloss Berlepsche was like walking back in time, and Fabian was AMAZING!
What were your favorite parts of the day?
Seeing the look on his face when he turned around to see me in my dress for the first time. Meeting Fabian and getting a tour of the castle with my guests. Tim and Jasmin. The dinner. The MULLEDWINE! Everything was so amazing. I remember every little moment because there was not a moment in the day that was not special.
Tell us about your wedding flowers.
My husband is Air Force, and he was forced by his ex wife to get out. In honor of all he has done and sacrificed for America, I had our flowers be blue. It was to honor him and all those that helped us have the freedom to go abroad and get married.
Tell us about your wedding cake.
We didn’t have a wedding cake. 🙁 It was the one thing we went without. We made up for it with alcohol I think though. The wine in Germany is plentiful!
What did you do for favors?
We did not do favors. However, I, as the bride, wrote my father, mother, father-in-law, and mother-in-law a personal note about the type of daughter, wife, and daughter-in-law I will be to Gordon.
Please describe any DIY, handmade, or personal details.
My godfather’s ring I discussed earlier, the lace shoes that had lace from my dress on it, my “keep your shit together” blue napkin.
Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings now?
You don’t need a HUGE money-filled wedding for it to be beautiful. We spent half the national average and got a fairy tale! Peach Perfect Weddings and Lora+Grace Photography were so amazing that I would highly recommend them for anything wedding!