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Theirs is a love story that has seen a friendship grow into something more. Luke, a Director of Retail Sales Training at Beckman's Inc., grew up in Berks County but left at a young age to pursue a dream career as a professional snowboarder for the US snowboard team. He was helping to pioneer a sport just beginning to come onto the scene. He returned to Berks County about six years ago.
Jennifer, an Integrative Medicine Practitioner & Dance Choreographer, grew up in Pottsville and traveled the world while in school. She’s currently working on her doctorate degree in Natural Medicine with the intention of sharing that knowledge with the Berks community. For the past 15 years, she’s also been teaching dance at Culture Shock Performing Arts Center in Hamburg as well as fitness and yoga classes locally.
The two met and became friends upon Luke’s return to Berks.
As their relationship progressed, they later took the leap, deciding to become husband and wife. Recalls Jennifer, “After a long day of work, I came home and Luke had dinner ready for me…a fire crackling, wine and our favorite compilation of Ray LaMontagne music playing in the background. This wasn’t anything out of the ordinary as whomever got home first would do this for the other person. We enjoyed our meal and chatted about our day in front of the fireplace, and Luke told me that ‘he wanted to grow old with me’ and asked if I would marry him. He had a dainty ring that he had chosen to hold the place until we were able to create a ring together. We met with our amazingly talented friend, Chrissy at MADE Jewelry Boutique and Studio, and she created the most beautiful piece! She also created a necklace from a stone Luke’s son had given me and the earrings for the day of the wedding.
Who did you share the big news with first?
We of course told our family!
What did you think when you first saw your bride on your wedding day? YES! There she is! My Jenny. I saw her smile and her dress, then her hair and then her eyes. Beyond thinking, I was hit by sheer joy.
What would you say was the highlight of your Big Day? The moment I walked down the aisle and saw Luke; it was magical.
Were there any wedding day surprises? What were they? Somehow, we made it to the beach for sunset and perfect strangers (kindness even in a pandemic) took photos for us with the full moon at sunset on the Lewes Beach, DE. We couldn't have planned that if we tried!
How did you feel the day before the wedding? We were excited to celebrate with our closest family and nervous about the weather and getting all the little details perfect.
How did you feel the day after your wedding? Happy! We were married and at the beach surfing!
Did the COVID-19 pandemic change your wedding plans at all? We were ambiguous about when to get married due to everything going on. As serendipity would have it, we happened to mention this to the honorable Judge MDJ Brian Strand, and he replied, “I could marry you!” We went home and talked it over. It would be really fun to have a small, quaint wedding in the backyard on the Fourth of July since everything else was pretty much canceled. We could then celebrate our anniversary each year with fireworks! The only problem was the 4th was only three weeks away and we were in the middle of a pandemic. So I reached out to some of my amazing friends/local vendors, and they were all in! What better way to celebrate than a backyard wedding?
Have you honeymooned? Due to the pandemic, we did a short mini-moon to Dogfish Head Inn and the beach at Lewes, DE, and we plan to escape to somewhere tropical for a yoga/surf retreat in 2021.
The Details:
Bride’s Parents: Daniel & Bev Dillow
Groom’s Parents: Sandi Mykland & Daniel Wynen (via Zoom)
DJ/Band: We went with an iTunes playlist!
Caterer: Russo Gourmet Foods Market, Wyomissing, for a picnic-style meal
Ceremony & Reception Location(s): Wyomissing Backyard & Wyomissing Park
Rings/Jeweler: Chrissy Cook at MADE Jewelry Boutique & Studio, West Reading
Hair/Make-up: Crystal Gent at Iron Roots Salon, West Lawn
Dress: SkairaShop on Etsy
Tuxes: Men's Wearhouse, Wyomissing
Florist: Events by Kelly Florist, Leesport
