Intimate Summer Wedding at Buhl Mansion | Jarcin+Joe

October 9, 2022 Liz Capuano

Jarcin and Joe, just two people who know how to laugh together. There is never a dull moment with them. Their goofiness, love they share for one another and their kindness radiates from them. From their engagement session at Joe’s childhood library to their intimate wedding day, we had so much fun working with them!

They met at a fancy Christmas dinner, a tradition of Joes. It typically takes place in PA but in 2018 Joe and his friends decided to hold it in NYC. Two friends couldn’t make it, so the other two friends decided to invite Jarcin, being that she lived in NYC. Joe’s first impression was that Jarcin was funny and an intriguing conversationalist, someone he would like to talk to again. A few days after the dinner party, Joe texted her about a very random one-off comment during their dinner conversation (her admiration of Jane Goodall) and they started a friendship. Over the course of a few months they started texting each other every so often, then began talking on the phone, and meeting up in person. Eventually they started dating.

The proposal took place at 2AM in their bedroom right before making the seven hour drive to Pittsburgh to see Joe’s family for Christmas. While traveling, Jarcin keeps a travel diary where Joe writes entries and Jarcin illustrates them. Their last trip at this time was a whirlwind trip to Colombia that October (for his cousin's wedding). It was so jam-packed, they didn't get a chance to make entries during the trip as they would normally do. Upon returning home, Joe had let Jarcin know he finished his entry. For two months, he asked her to fill in her part but she admits she was set in some severe procrastination. So at 2AM on 12/24, Joe insisted this needed to be done. Confused, Jarcin picked up her pen and went through each page. On the last day, the final entry was taped closed. After undoing the tape, the left page had a heartfelt love message and proposal and the right side of the book had a cavity hollowed out with a ring (from her favorite local jeweler) taped inside. She was shocked he had been carrying this around for two months! Jarcin turned to him and he said: 'how bout it?'. She wrote YES in the book and drew a picture of the ring!

I have to admit this has to be one of my favorite, most unique proposal stories to date!

Their intimate summer wedding day at Buhl Mansion had equal parts of tradition and goofiness. It was relaxed, silly, and just an all around happy day! They started their day with Jarcin getting her hair and makeup done while Joe took their phones, playing on both, to make sure they didn't miss out on a big Pokemon Go tournament happening. Once they were dressed they shared a first look in front of the mansion. Jarcin wore a beautiful off the shoulder a-line dress with allover beaded lace by Lillian West and Joe wore a fitted tux paired with his favorite sneakers! After their first look they headed back inside for photos highlighting the beauty of the mansion. They even recreated a few engagement photos in the mansion library area. They are avid readers and I loved that they incorporated this into their photos!

Their ceremony took place outside in front of a beautiful arch decorated with origami cranes and two pigs, handmade by Jarcin’s mother. The ceremony was led by Joe and included personal vows and a whiskey pouring ceremony. Combining their two favorite drinks whiskey and Pepsi zero, neither likes the other’s drink but when combined they do! The perfect metaphor of better together.

After the ceremony they spent time wandering around the grounds taking pictures before heading into their small, low key wedding reception. Jarcin created gift bags for their guests that contained a few of their favorite local treats, it was seriously such a unique idea! They enjoyed lots of handmade cookies and dancing before retreating to the mansion for a night of board games with their favorite people. It was the perfect end to a day focused on fun, their love for each other and love they have for the people in their lives!