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eslie Levy and Jack McGuckin share more than a love of fine 
cuisine, they share a beautiful love story. They met in 2008 at 
Bijoux when Leslie purchased the restaurant where Jack was 

the executive chef. Over the course of the next 7 years they became 
good friends and in December of 2015 began dating. “I just knew that Jack 
had always been there for me through the good and the bad and once 
we started dating it was very clear that we were more than each other’s 
best friend,” said Leslie, “He brought a love and a calm to me and my kids 
that we needed more than anything and also an assurance that the good 
in this world will ultimately always overshadow the bad. Jack is a man of 
great integrity and that is a huge factor in our love story for me.” 

Leslie thought that they might be getting engaged in their favorite city, 

NYC, during a trip they planned for the 4th of July…but Jack had other 
plans in mind. A couple of days before they left, on Leslie’s birthday, Jack 
took her to lunch and then for a walk at Eden Gardens State Park before 
he went to work. Leslie noticed someone taking photos, not uncommon 
at the incredibly scenic location. Walking back Leslie noticed that the 

photographer was still there and then Jack got down on one knee and 
popped the question. Leslie can’t recall exactly what he said, but she 
knows her answer was, “YES, YES, YES”!  It was a moment in her life that 
she wanted more than anything and it was absolutely perfect.

The couple chose to start their forever together at their restaurant on 

December 12, 2016. The ceremony took place on the beautiful outdoor 
lawn at night underneath a tent full of twinkling candles and fragrant 
flowers creating a warm and romantic ambience. Leslie stood out in a 
stunning, gold St. John dress that perfectly complimented her bridesmaids 
in varying hues of gray. She carried a simple white bouquet in mostly 
white flowers with a gold coin attached at the stems. The coin was from 
1880 and given to Leslie by her father when she was 6 months old, 
providing the perfect finishing touch to personalize her flowers. Family is 
the core of their relationship so all of Leslie’s children were a huge part 
of the ceremony. Her oldest daughter, Ella, was the maid of honor. Her 
son, Asher, walked her down the aisle and was also a groomsman, and 
her youngest daughter, Alyna, was the most adorable flower girl. “Alyna 
forgot to throw petals as she was walking down the aisle but made up 
for it several times during the ceremony by throwing them as the pastor 
was speaking,” laughed Leslie. Jack’s mom let Leslie wear her beautiful 
set of sapphire and diamond earrings that matched her engagement ring 
perfectly as her something borrowed and Jack’s grandmother’s wedding 
band was her something old. 

Once the ceremony was over, as a nod to their New Orleans roots, a 

brass Mardi Gras band led the newlyweds and their guests out of the tent 
and into the reception which was held at Bijoux and in the courtyard 
outside of the restaurant at The Market Shops. Following cocktail 
hour, “We Can Take The World” by Johnny Swim was their first dance 
performed by their friends, Aaron Wolfe and Brittany Longmire. Shane 
Keller with Rock The House took over after the first dance and got the 
crowd dancing with a medley of the couple’s favorite songs including 
“More Today Than Yesterday” for Jack’s parents since that was their first 
dance, and the Mummers Strut, which is a classic Philadelphia song to 
honor where his family is from. After the perfect wedding, they spent 
their honeymoon cruising along the California Coast, staying in Big Sur 
and St. Helena, California, where Foreman Vineyards graciously hosted 
them. The newlyweds are big foodies and enjoyed trying a few iconic 
restaurants along the way, including The French Laundry and Atelier 
Crenn. Leslie and Jack are enjoying life on the Emerald Coast; laughing, 
loving and cooking along the way! 

BEHIND THE SCENES

Coordinator: Christine Walker assisted by Caroline Walker
Photographer: Pure 7 Studios & Pure 7 Films
Caterer: Roux 30A - Nikhil Abuvala
Floral Design: Flowers by Milk & Honey
Invitation/Stationary: Minted
Bridal Dress: St. John
Wedding & Grooms Cake: Bonne Vie
Hair Stylist: Jonathan Doria
Makeup Artist: Jessica Austin - Make Me Blush
Linens: Destin Wedding Linens
Rings: Custom made by Baytown Jewelers

Leslie Jess

Levy  

Jack Edward   

McGuckin

story by Courtney Murray |  photography by Pure 7 Studios 

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