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On a lazy Sunday morning in November 2019, Andy Josuweit proposed to his then-girlfriend Jenn Perron in their Austin apartment—an intimate move that felt true to the couple.
“We’re not ones for romantic grand gestures and we’re both terrible at surprises,” Jenn explains. “We had actually designed my engagement ring together with jeweler Cyrus Shennum at Bell and Bird, so I knew it was coming! We were enjoying our pour-over coffees—one of our favorite elaborate rituals—and the ring was burning a hole in his pocket. It was simple, sweet, and perfectly ‘us.’”
Ever since Jenn and Andy met as freshmen at Bentley College in 2005, they’ve done things their own way. The twosome slowly became friends and, by the time graduation rolled around, developed “massive crushes” on each other. Though Jenn and Andy went their separate ways post college—she pursued a fashion career in New York City and he launched businesses around the world—they made their way back together. The rest, as they say, was history.
“In 2012, we decided to move into our first little apartment together in Midtown East, figuring we would learn pretty quickly if this thing was the real deal,” Jenn jokes. “We’re still living together—so far, so good!”
The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic might’ve thrown a wrench in many people’s wedding plans, but for Jenn and Andy? It was the perfect time to start planning. “I realized we had to make a few decisions pretty quickly to avoid having to compromise on the vendors, dates, [and] the location. We booked our location in Spring 2020.”
The couple ultimately set the date for July 3, 2021 in Saratoga, New York—and invited all their favorite people to attend. “We were excited to be able to throw a party for all our loved ones and do it our way,” the couple explains.
Once they had the logistics in place, they sought out to find vendors who could execute their unique vision. With the help of Venture North Events, a full-service wedding planning company, Jenn and Andy were able to turn their Wes Anderson-inspired dreams into a reality. Read on for an intimate look at the day, as photographed by Kaley from Kansas.
With a passion for all-things design, Jenn spearheaded the day’s aesthetics. Though she initially envisioned a muted palette, she later realized the day needed a fun flair. “After all the heaviness of 2020, I realized that this would be many guests’ first major gathering since the onset of the pandemic,” the bride explains “I wanted things to feel light, happy, colorful, and playful.” The couple enlisted Ink Revival to create a whimsical invitation suite, complete with a palette of mustards, bright reds, and vintagey greens. “My inspiration was Wes Andersen and my goal was to make [our day] feel like a scene out of one of his films,” she adds.
After enjoying a morning cup of coffee with her two matrons of honor, the bride got ready for the big day at her Saratoga home. “My mom and aunt arrived with pastries, breads, fresh fruits, coffee, mimosas, and much more, creating a beautiful spread to nourish and sustain the family and friends that I invited to swing by while I was getting ready,” the bride notes. For her glam, Jenn opted for a low chignon and “soft, rosy, and glowy” makeup by Julie Occhino Luxury Beauty.
The bride stunned in a custom gown from Danielle Frankel, complete with a form-skimming silhouette and voluminous sleeves. “[It was] my dream dress in every way,” Jenn adds.
Jenn completed the look with buttery yellow heels from Chanel and simple, pearl drop earrings from Kinn.
Meanwhile, Andy kicked off the day with an eight-mile run with his best man. Later, the groom got ready at The Adelphi Hotel, where the reception would later take place. “They had an easy low-key morning. Friends and family also stopped by to visit throughout the morning while he and his best men got ready,” the bride shares.
Andy looked dapper in a custom tuxedo from Articles of Style, complete with a black shawl lapel. Rounding out the look is a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo loafers and a Breitling watch, which was a wedding gift from Jenn.
It felt like we were the only people in the world.
Before the ceremony, which took place at The Surrey-Williamson Inn at Skidmore College, Jenn and Andy shared an intimate first look. “The first look was so sweet, special, and silly because Andy always knows how to make me laugh,” the bride recalls. “Even though we were surrounded by our amazing crew there to help capture the moment, it felt like we were the only people in the world.”
Jenn and Andy paired their first look with a photo-op, courtesy of Kaley from Kansas. According to the bride, Kaley was one of the very first vendors they hired—and for good reason. “I wanted someone who would take photos that would tell the story of the day, capturing unexpected moments that might have slipped our memories with all the excitement surrounding us,” she explains. “Kaley’s Instagram account speaks for itself. But, just as importantly as her beautiful work, she herself is a pleasure to work with.”
After some photos as a couple, Jenn and Andy were joined by their family and wedding party for a few pictures. As guests arrived at The Surrey-Williamson Inn via an old-fashioned trolley, the couple had a few minutes to relax before walking down the aisle.
Guests were greeted with Champagne and paper cones of Saratoga kettle corn—the bride’s favorite—while they mingled and waited for the ceremony to begin. “As they arrived, the sun began to peek through the clouds, casting a magical glow on the whole scene,” Jenn adds.
True to their Wes Anderson inspiration, Olive & June Floral Co. lined the aisle with a colorful array of blooms. The simple sprinkling of flowers drew attention to the inn’s natural beauty.
The bride glided down the aisle to “Untitled #” by Sigur Ros, with her parents in tow.
According to Jenn, the ceremony was short, sweet, and perfectly representative of the couple. “My Aunt Nancy, who had flown in from Quebec, was our officiant,” the bride shares. “She described how this slow but intimate process of making our coffee for each other each morning was a representation of our relationship: How we took our time and did things our way.”
After the couple exchanged vows and wedding bands, they sealed their marriage with a kiss and recessed down the aisle to Lord Echo’s “Thinking of You.”
The newlyweds hopped into a friend’s vintage Mercedes and drove to The Adelphi Hotel for the reception, with tin cans and a “Just Married” sign tumbling behind them. “The ride in the vintage Mercedes from the reception to the ceremony was funny and so fun,” Jenn recalls. “[We caused] a commotion as we waved to everyone all down Broadway as our driver, friend Palen, honked the horn incessantly.”
Guests enjoyed an oyster-filled happy hour at the hotel’s glass atrium before moseying into the reception area. Venture North Events transformed the high-pitched tent with furniture rentals and a few of the hotel’s pieces.
“At one point during cocktail hour, [planner Kim Pelkey] stole us away for a quick sneak peek inside the tent, where we would move for the reception,” Jenn shares. “It blew us away. We knew it would be beautiful, but the level of execution was just beyond what we could have imagined. The tent vibrated with good energy and love.”
When it came to designing the tables, the couple wanted to minimize their carbon footprint. “Utilizing the lush ceremony floral pieces, Olive & June Floral Co. repurposed each piece to further enhance the already beautifully designed reception space and bring the tent to life,” the bride shares. Completing the look is crisp white dinnerware and linens, as well as blue taper candles enclosed in tall hurricanes.
The Adelphi Hotel’s kitchen delivered a mouth-watering meal for the newlyweds and their guests. “We tag teamed the food selections but Andy really called most of the shots here,” Jenn explains. “He is a great cook and loves to make dinner for our friends and family any chance we get. Our guests raved about the food—from cocktail hour to the dessert bar.”
The couple made their first appearance as husband and wife to a special rendition of “Love Shack,” played by Soul Session Band. “With the ‘bang, bang, bang on the door, baby’ queues, Andy and I made our grand entrance into the reception tent,” Jenn shares. “We were flying high! For two people that don’t particularly enjoy being the center of attention, we surprised ourselves with how happy and calm we felt.”
Eventually, “Love Shack” evolved into their first dance to “Queen Bee” by Taj Mahal. “Andy and I didn’t practice our dance, but we are very comfortable with one another and we just did what felt natural to us,” the bride shares. “We held each other close, did a cute, slightly corny spin or two, laughed, and whispered to each other how insane it all was.”
After a handful of toasts, the newlyweds were surprised with a pre-recorded video of Jenn’s extended family sharing their love and happiness for the couple. “They all wished they could be present, but weren’t able to due to the Covid-related border restrictions between the U.S. and Canada,” the bride shares. “The whole room was in tears. Andy and I were both ugly crying. It was a beautiful moment that truly cemented how lucky we were to be surrounded in that moment (and always) by such a deeply loving support system.”
Thirsty? Guests could enjoy one of two signature beverages. “The East Ninth Margarita, named after our home in Austin, was a spicy take on my favorite summer cocktail,” the bride shares. “The Ludlow G&T was a seasonal take on a classic gin and tonic—adorned with rosemary and a spritz of grapefruit—and named after our home in Saratoga.”
From a joint dance with the couple’s respective parents to a packed dance floor, it’s safe to say the party went on all night long. “One thing that surprised us—and, I think, all of our guests— was how much everyone got along, from both sides of the family, and groups of friends from different past lives,” the bride shares. “Everyone mingled, danced, and talked together. Friends were made and we learned of interesting connections between guests from different groups.”
Looking back on their magical day, the couple stresses the importance of finding vendors who will champion the vision. “If you can do things your way, do [it],” Jenn emphasizes. “Everyone else will hopefully follow your lead because they want to be happy! And, you’ll be happy you stuck to your instincts.” As Jenn and Andy proved, a wedding (and all the events surrounding it) should be just as unique as the couple.