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Country Roads // Jackie + Dallas

Jackie and Dallas met at a country music performance in Camden when each had come to the concert with mutual friends.  They hit it off very quickly and had so much fun during the concert that they decided to exchange numbers.  Over the next year, they talked on the phone, texted and even sent letters to help bridge the distance while he went to college in West Virginia and she in New Jersey.  After about two years and a few visits with each other, they both knew that they were simply meant to be together.  And it was literally sweet how Dallas asked her to be his one and only with a homemade cake!

Well, Jackie loves sea turtles and had mentioned only once to Dallas that it would be her dream to be proposed to on a trip where they were watching baby turtles hatch on a beach.  Dallas was determined to make her dream come true!  Secretly, he tracked all turtle nests in Charleston, SC and around the time they were meant to hatch, he planned for them to take a weekend trip to Charleston and neighboring Isle of Palms.  It happened to also be Dallas’s birthday so Jackie didn’t suspect a thing!  The couple checked on the turtle nests during the day, and then in the evening, they took another walk on the beach to check for activity.  Even though the moon was full and the conditions were perfect for hatching, those babies unfortunately didn’t arrive that night.  Dallas’s next plan was to go to a plantation, but Jackie was enjoying the beach so much that when they finally left, it was really too late to go there.  So ‘Plan C’ was to take her to dinner and a walk along the waterfront in Charleston.  And there, he asked Jackie to be his wife along the scenic waterfront!  Even though there weren’t any baby turtles that night, Jackie was overjoyed that the love of her life got down on one knee and asked her to spend forever with him.  It couldn’t have been more perfect.

On the morning of their wedding day, the two got ready in separate suites at the Courtyard by Marriott in Springfield, PA.  Jackie’s sister and cousin had us film their weddings and it was so wonderful to see and work with her family again!

Both sides had so much fun as they got ready for the day!  Jackie and her bridal party danced, sang and laughed while their hair and makeup was done at the hotel.  Dallas and his groomsmen seemed so relaxed as they dressed into their navy blue suits… sharp ensembles complete with blue suspenders and West Virginia University argyle socks!  Jackie’s bridesmaids wore watercolor dusty rose colored gowns and looked so beautiful!  And those luscious pastel flower bouquets from Matlack Florist were incredible.

With assistance from her mother and sister, it was then time for Jackie to put on her amazing wedding gown!  She looked absolutely stunning in her dress, which featured a gorgeous illusion halter neckline covered in lace, delicate buttons down the back and a subtle fit and flare silhouette.  So beautiful!

Once they were all dressed and ready to go, the bridal party traveled to St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Camden for the marriage ceremony.  Father Tomy Thomas celebrated a traditional wedding Mass and Jackie and Dallas recited their vows before their family and friends.  At the conclusion, the two shared their first kiss as husband and wife!

It was fantastic to be working with the team at Magdalena Studios on this wedding day, and filming alongside them while Jackie, Dallas and their bridal party had their photo shoots was a dream.  Formal family photos took place at the church, then the bridal party continued with photos at their beautiful reception venue.

Jackie and Dallas’s reception was held at The Old Mill in Rose Valley, PA, with its authentic craftsman details and rustic charm.  The grounds give the impression of a beautiful secret garden nestled in the woods along Ridley Creek, with old stone walls hiding among the lush ferns and trailing vines.  The two couldn’t have picked a more gorgeous setting for their early summer wedding!

And their reception was so wonderful!  Jackie and Dallas entered the room (with such enthusiasm!) and danced their first dance together, with lovely parent dances following.  We loved the toasts given by Jackie’s sister (her matron of honor) and by Dallas’s brother who served as his best man.  They were so emotional, filled with poems, blessings and love, and it was so, so hard not to cry while listening to them!

After dinner, guests danced and limboed the night away, and even paid tribute to Dallas’s college, WVU, with a dance to John Denver’s Country Roads!  Their expert DJ from JSV Entertainment was fabulous!  Jackie and Dallas cut their amazing ‘birch bark’ cake from The Master’s Baker and later, all their guests crowded the dance floor for a rousing rendition of Sweet Caroline!  The whole evening was so much fun!

Jackie mentioned that the most wonderful thing about their wedding was the overwhelming feeling of love and support they received from their family and friends.  Since they live out of state, they don’t have the opportunity to see everyone as much as they’d like and it was so special to be with everyone that day.  And a perfect day it was! Congratulations to Jackie and Dallas!

Photographer:  Magdalena Studios – Ocean City, NJ      

Photo Booth:  East Coast Photo Booths – Hillsborough, NJ

Floral Design:  Matlack Florist – West Chester, PA      

Hair Stylist:  Shannon Reilly

Makeup Artist:  Ashley Pacula & Bianca

Wedding Dress:  Essense of Australia – Jay West Bridal – Haddonfield, NJ

Bridal Shoes:  Lulu Shoes   

Entertainment:  JSV Entertainment – Clementon, NJ

Cake:  The Master’s Baker – West Chester, PA     

Officiant:   Rev. Tomy Thomas – Turnersville, NJ        

Church:  St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church – Camden, NJ      

Venue:  The Old Mill – Rose Valley, PA    

Accommodations:  Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Springfield – Springfield, PA