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onathan Michael Roeckle and Emily Marie Viviano met in college 
while attending Saint Louis University in Missouri. Emily grew 
up in Orange, California, with her parents, Robert and Mary 

Viviano, and Jonathan spent his childhood in Saint Louis, Missouri, with 
his parents, John and Teresa Roeckle. The two entered Saint Louis 
University looking for an education, they left with more than that, they 
gained their life partners. When Jonathan was a freshman and Emily 
was a sophomore they met in study hall. Emily recalls it as a brief 
introduction that left a lasting impression, “I knew when I saw him that 
I wanted to get to know him more. Basically all our friends laugh at us 

because I was the one who went after him. I knew from the moment 
of saw him that I was going to marry him.” After two years Jonathan 
realized that he wanted to marry Emily after the first Christmas he 
spent with her family. 

Emily and Jonathan both played Division I soccer in college. After five 

years of dating, they realized they shared more than a mutual love of 
soccer, and they decided it was time to get engaged. On Christmas Eve 
Jon told Emily that they should start their own traditions and wake up 
in the morning on Christmas and go for a walk on the beach. Emily has 
an affinity for the holidays so she was beyond excited. They woke up 
at 6:45am on a perfect Christmas morning and headed to the beach. 
“As we started walking down the beach, I noticed there was a sea slug 
that washed ashore so I ran close to the water so it could survive. As 
soon as I turned around Jonathan was on one knee, and he popped the 
question,” recalls Emily. The ring was both stunning and sentimental; 
with the center stone being her mother’s first diamond from her father. 
Emily said a resounding YES and they ran back home to get ready to go 
to Emily’s parents and share the exciting news. They couldn’t wait to 
share the news with Jon’s family in St. Louis and skyped with his entire 
family that morning. The newly engaged couple returned home after 
the most thrilling day of their lives, to yet another surprise. A knock 
at the door revealed Jonathan’s entire family standing on their front 
steps! They took an afternoon flight from St. Louis down to Destin to 
surprise them! It was a day they will never forget.

After more than seven years of happily dating, they finally tied the 

knot at Kelly Plantation Golf Course on March 25, 2017 at 5:00pm. The 
ceremony was performed by Pastor Charles Alexander with the couple 
surrounded by ethereal white florals and lots of greenery by Florals 
By The Sea. Miranda Black with Tripsy Events planned the perfect 
garden themed wedding with mostly white, green, and blush pink with 
accents of gold. Emily wore a beautiful bridal gown by Mori Lee from 
Simply Elegant and was accompanied by her Maid of Honor dressed in 
blush pink. The cake was a classic two tier white cake with matching 
cupcakes from Smallcakes in Destin. The reception was also held at 
Kelly Plantation. Gulf Talent Services provided the entertainment for 
the evening and they danced their fist song to Hunter Hayes, Wanted. 
The best man speech was a highlight of the day and a moment they 
will treasure on their wedding video over and over. Emily borrowed 
pins from her mother and mother in law to wear during her special 
day and her something blue were her shoes peeking out from beneath 
her dress. Emily’s grandmother was unable to travel and attend the 
wedding, but she was there in spirit near and dear to Emily’s heart. 
She gifted Emily new pearl and diamond earrings to wear and her 
handkerchief was wrapped around the bouquet. Emily’s hair, styled by 
Renee Beal, and makeup, prepared by Krestyn Spray, looked stunning 
in all of the photos taken by Rockwell Images. After the wedding they 
settled into their lives along the Emerald Coast. Emily works as the HR 
Training Manager at Hilton Sandestin and Jon is the men’s High School 
Soccer Coach at Fort Walton Beach High School and coaches two boys 
teams at RAD (Real Athletic Development) club program in Destin. 
Emily and Jon are a perfect match and are thrilled to start their lives as 
a family here in Destin, Florida.

Emily Marie 

Viviano 

Jonathan Michael 

Roeckle 

story by 

Courtney Murray

 |  photography by 

Rockwell Images

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12/27/17   8:56 AM