THE FACTS:
THE BRIDE: Lauren Rizio, 33, Occupational Therapist
THE GROOM: Vincent Johnson-Thacker, 37, Software Engineer
THE DATE: December 31, 2021
THE LOCATION: Pelican Club in Jupiter, Florida
THE NUMBER OF GUESTS: 80
On July 4, 2020, Vince, knowing Lauren’s family is incredibly important to her, proposed to his now bride after they met online and dated for some time. The pair was able to meet up with Lauren’s family in Connecticut after some time apart, in Lauren’s family home, and here Vince popped the question with her closest family members nearby to celebrate with them.
The wedding planning went through some changes throughout their engagement period, but ultimately, the Pelican Club, where they hosted their big day, helped them through all the shifts to create the perfect celebration of their love.
Lauren and Vince didn’t have a specific theme for their wedding, but rather celebrated with white and blue flowers, loads of greenery, and many candles, longing to make the night welcoming, bright, and joyful.
For their special day, Lauren wore a Jenny Yoo dress, Sam Edelman shoes, and earrings from a Chicago jewelry store, Adornment and Theory. The maid of honor also wore a Jenny Yoo dress, while the men wore suits from Indochino. Vince wore a light gray suit while the father of the bride, best man, father of the groom, and officiant wore navy blue suits.
Greg Pai rescued the day with last minute photography skills for their wedding. Lauren and Vince note that “Greg and his family were one of the biggest blessings of the day—on a day when so many things had gone ‘wrong,’ they made so many things feel ‘right.’ We wouldn’t have wanted it to work out any other way. And we got some truly beautiful and intimate photos of the night that we will cherish forever.”
The couple chose to have an all-outdoor wedding on the back porch overlooking the intercoastal waterway, making their way through the front courtyard for the cocktail hour and celebrating during the reception on the back-to-back porches where dinner and dancing took the night.
Lauren’s brother, Mike, officiated the wedding, with his own speech and writing the vows for the couple, making the wedding extra special and intimate. The bride’s aunt and Vince’s sister gave short readings during the ceremony, and both Lauren and Vince made speeches during the reception. Vince’s brother-in-law provided live music during the ceremony, singing Chris Stapleton’s “Millionaire” and “Joy of My Life” – deemed by the couple as one of the most memorable and intimate parts of the whole wedding.
For the cocktail hour, Lauren and Vince served the French 75 as their signature drink, along with a raw bar, sushi, prime rib, and more. And because they’re both coffee lovers, their wedding favors were bags of uniquely blended coffee from a roaster in Michigan, Froehlich’s.
Some great advice from Lauren and Vince: “Let people help you so that you can really be present and not ‘work’ your own wedding!”
Congratulations to you both!
INGREDIENTS LIST:
CEREMONY & RECEPTION SITE – Pelican Club, Jupiter, FL
PHOTOGRAPHY – Greg Pai, FL
VIDEOGRAPHY – (unofficially) Julie Thacker, sister-in-law of couple
OFFICIANT– Michael Rizio, bride’s brother
GOWN – Jenny Yoo- purchased at Jenny Yoo store in Chicago
SHOES – Sam Edelman
HAIR & MAKEUP – J & G Beauty Loft, West Palm Beach, FL
BRIDESMAID DRESSES – Jenny Yoo
INVITATIONS – Steracle Press, Chicago, IL
FLOWERS – Southern Floral, Lake Park, FL
RENTAL EQUIPMENT – Provided by Pelican Club
CATERING – Pelican Club
MUSIC CEREMONY & RECEPTION – Kenny Mondo, West Palm Beach, FL
CAKE – Johnson’s Custom Cake, Wellington, FL
FAVORS – Froehlich’s Roastery, Three Oaks Michigan
TRANSPORTATION – Private driver
ACCOMMODATIONS – Wyndham Grand, Jupiter, FL; Jupiter Beach Resort, Jupiter, FL
HONEYMOON – Cervo Mountain Resort, Zermatt, Switzerland
If you are planning a wedding in Palm Beach, Boca Raton, or Jupiter Beach, Palm Beach Weddings Magazine is your luxury go to source for your wedding planning.
