A METROPOLITAN LOVE STORY
Josh & Jeni Mainard
August 5, 2023
Written By | Meg Daniel
Photographer | Four 2 North Photography
Jeni and Josh know how to put up a good fight. No, they are not trading blows, but they know when you have something really special, you have to fight for it.
The couple met while Jeni was working at a quarry. Josh was a customer who kept coming in around closing time for a load of gravel for his property. At first, Jeni was annoyed he always arrived so late, but one thing led to another and before you know it, Josh asked her to come and see his property where he had been putting all the gravel he was buying. He had a campfire, cooked her dinner and the relationship ignited from there.
After about six months, Jeni just had to let him know how much he meant to her. In January, she wrote him a letter, professing her love and that she wanted to marry him, but he would need to make it official. He stopped by that day at lunch to make it official and say “yes!” The couple first decided who was most important that they wanted to be present at their wedding. Number one on the list was Josh’s 92 year old grandfather. Hence, they decided August 5, 2023 would give them about eight months to plan and implement the wedding of their dreams.
Next, Jeni went to look for a dress in February. She knew she wanted to purchase her dress from Wedding Expressions by Geri and tried on about every dress in the store. Feeling overwhelmed, she told her sister she needed a break and to go find one more dress for her to try. Her sister brought her a dress that was stunning, form-fitting with cut outs, all things she thought she did not want, but it made her feel gorgeous. Fast forward to May, when Jeni went to have a fitting of the dress, it did not fit. Jeni battles multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease and because of her medication, had gained weight. Unfortunately, with the dress design, it could not be altered. Crying, desperate, and as a joke, she tried on a black wedding dress. Jeni actually loved the way it fit, but knew Josh did not want her to walk down the aisle in black. Luckily, the store had the exact same dress in ivory and it was perfect.
The next battle would be to find a place to tie the knot. Jeni and Josh wanted a small, private ceremony with close family and then have a larger reception. The cabin on Josh’s property had meant so much to them and held many special memories, but when they walked out there to visualize a ceremony, they quickly realized they were covered in ticks and this would not be a good place to get married. They decided to have the ceremony at his parent’s pond with a larger reception at Twin Oaks Event Center.
Jeni and Josh knew their wedding photos were one of the most important things at their wedding and wanted to use a photographer who would capture the uniqueness of their relationship, not just pose them for standard pictures. She must have talked to 100 photographers, but when she found Four 2 North, they were overwhelmed with their portfolio and guaranteed the couple they would “catch their emotions” on their big day. Jeni says owners Gary and Tracy were amazing to work with, and not only did they capture the essence of their relationship, but Four 2 North was able to whip out a slideshow in under an hour to project on a big screen at the reception of the private ceremony they had at his parent’s pond. It was a great way for all the guests at the reception to share in their joy.
At the ceremony, one of the most precious moments was when Josh’s 92 year old grandfather, their ring bearer, proudly brought in the wedding bands. The couple was so grateful he was able to participate in their wedding. Not only did the couple exchange vows to each other, but Jeni also professed vows to Josh’s mother how much she loved her son and what kind of wife she would be. To unify this couple, Jeni and Josh did a whiskey blending ceremony, combining whiskey into a miniature oak barrel that they will be able to share a drink from on each anniversary.
At the reception, the couple decorated with burgundy and dusty rose florals, lots of greenery and sheer chiffon. This theme was carried over onto their cake. Mike Elder, world famous baker who has made award winning cakes for the rich and famous, is a friend of Jeni’s. She told him what she did not want in a cake and gave him free reign. Not knowing what her cake would look like, they walked into their reception and saw he created a masterpiece. It was a four-tier lemon cake with raspberry filling, decorated with dusty rose florals and a chocolate tree limb wrapping around the cake with edible cherry blossoms. Mike definitely knocked it out of the park.
Reception guests enjoyed a delicious dinner catered by Matthews Catering and then had a blast with DJ Cameron Beck. But the highlight of the evening was when Jeni’s seventeen year old daughter gave a toast and asked Josh to adopt her and be her dad. There was not a dry eye in the house!
A marriage like this is worth fighting for. Jeni says, “everything happens for a reason” and is so glad they can take off the boxing gloves and enjoy life together.
XOXO, Met Wed
Alterations
Wedding Expressions by Geri
Beverages/Bartending Service
Top Shelf Bartending
Bridal Gown
Wedding Expressions by Geri
Bridesmaids Gowns
Wedding Expressions by Geri
Cake
Black Sheep Custom Cakes
Caterer
Matthews Catering
Entertainment
Cameron Beck Mobile DJ Service
Floral & Event Decor
Awesome Blossoms
Hair
Salon Trio
Honeymoon Travel Service
VRBO
Make Up
Parlour Seven Asthetics
Men’s Formalwear
Men’s Warehouse
Photographer
Four 2 North Photography
Rentals
The Party Patch
Ring Bearer Suit
Men’s Warehouse
Venue Reception
Twin Oaks Event Center
Wedding Rings
Antler Rings
