Jessica & Stefan

How They Met

Jessica and Stefan’s love story began in the most modern of ways: on Hinge.
“We met as all modern love stories began, on Hinge!” Jessica shared. Their first date was at Bar Taco in August 2021, and five years later, they’ve been inseparable ever since.
If Jessica had to describe their relationship in just three words, she’d choose “adventurous, intentional, supportive.”

Realizing He Was “The One”

Jessica didn’t have to wait long to get a glimpse of the life they could build together.
Shortly after meeting, she and Stefan went camping with another couple in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. They spent two nights camping and soon after took on a ten-mile hike together.
“If you can make it through that and a ten mile hike shortly after meeting, you can do just about anything!” Jessica joked.
It was an early adventure, but one that showed her just how naturally they worked together.

The Proposal

Jessica knew an engagement was probably coming sometime soon, but Stefan still managed to keep the actual proposal a surprise.
“I had started to pick up on a few details and weird behaviors from Stefan and my family that ultimately led me to predicting it was coming,” she recalled. “But I had NO idea how it would happen.”
Stefan had planned every detail around the things Jessica loved. He proposed at the top of their favorite mountain near their home, surrounded by flowers from her favorite flower stand, candles, and champagne. But he wasn’t finished yet.
He had also arranged a surprise dinner with their families, followed by a surprise weekend trip to Vermont the next day. “It was all so personal and special to us and a combination of all the things we loved,” Jessica said.

Planning Their Wedding

That same feeling of making everything personal carried into their wedding plans.
Just days after getting engaged, Jessica and Stefan booked Rosedale Farms, their local farmstand and winery in Simsbury, Connecticut. It was the only venue they looked at. “It was the perfect spot for us to get married,” Jessica shared.
The planning process was exciting, but not always easy. The venue was essentially a blank canvas, and without a planner, the couple took on every detail themselves. Still, they wouldn’t change a thing.
“Almost every single vendor and caterer was someone local we had personal relationships with,” Jessica said. The result was a whimsical, fairy-tale day that felt completely like them.
Even a little rain couldn’t change that. “It didn’t matter and the day was absolutely magical,” she said. “We would do it again and again the same way in a heartbeat!”

The Ring

For her wedding day, Jessica chose the 3mm Classic Flat Wedding Band in yellow gold — a simple, timeless piece to mark the beginning of a new chapter with Stefan.

Their wedding was every bit as personal as their relationship. From the venue they chose to the people who helped bring it all together, nearly every detail reflected the things they love and the community they’ve built together.

The Big Day

When the wedding day finally arrived, Jessica says she felt a happiness she could hardly put into words.
“I’ve never smiled so big and so much as I did on our wedding day,” she shared. “From the first look to the moment we went to bed, I’ve never felt so giddy.”
One of her favorite memories came before the ceremony even began. It was raining, but instead of letting the weather take over, Jessica and Stefan decided to simply embrace it.
“I think having our first look in the rain and then immediately doing our photos after was one of my favorite parts of the day,” she said. “I just had such a feeling of ‘we are not going to let this stop us.’”
They let go of the idea of perfect conditions and enjoyed the moment instead. “We were just so happy and on cloud nine that nothing could stop us!” Jessica recalled. That mindset ended up setting the tone for the rest of the night.
Of course, there was also one slightly more stressful moment at the cake table. During the cake cutting, Jessica pulled the fork away a little too quickly and nearly sent the cake flying all over Stefan.

Marriage & Their Next Chapter

Jessica and Stefan have only been married for a few weeks, but they’re already excited about this new chapter together.
“We are just so excited for this next chapter and to enjoy being a married couple for a while before starting a family!” Jessica shared. More than anything, they feel grateful for the life they’re building together. “We feel so blessed and lucky to have each other and just want to cherish this time.”

Advice for Other Couples

If Jessica could leave future couples with one piece of advice, it would be to slow down and actually enjoy the journey.
“I know everyone says this, but you really cannot prepare for how quickly everything flies by!” she said. After spending so much time planning every little detail, the wedding day can disappear in an instant.
“What people will remember the most is the love they feel at the wedding,” Jessica reflected. “So just focus on enjoying every moment together, being present, and how lucky you are to be surrounded by all of your important people.”
And when something inevitably goes wrong? “Everything will fall into place no matter what.” Sometimes, the best thing you can do is take a breath, let go of the little things, and remember what the day is really about.