J
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
J
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