L
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
L
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