Welcome to this month’s installment of the “I Do” Interviews! This month our wedding series features a lovely couple, Jaclyn and Eric, who said their vows on a spectacular August day last year. They chose to celebrate both their ceremony and reception with both us and their 265 family members and friends who all shared in their joy.
This interview series is meant to give future couples a chance to hear the wonderful details of wedding experiences from those who have recently been there. Our lovely couples have agreed to share their stories so others can learn everything about their one-of-a-kind wedding and the planning process.
Responses have been edited for length and clarity.
Jaclyn & Eric
Wedding Date – Friday, August 19, 2022
Event Space – Ceremony at the Gazebo Edge and Reception in the Harborview Ballroom and sun deck.
Where are you originally from?
We are both from the North Shore! Eric is from Beverly, Massachusetts and I am from Salem, Massachusetts.
What do you do for work?
Eric is a baseball coach for Bryant University and I work in Marketing for Liberty Mutual.
How did you meet your bride or groom?
Eric and I knew of each other growing up as we are from big North Shore families who knew each other well. In fact, Eric’s parents attended my parent’s wedding in 1985.
Eric and I were officially set up later in life by his sister, Amy, who I attended Stonehill College with. She set us up the night before I graduated. Ten years later things would come full circle and Amy would become our wedding officiant.
What made you choose Danversport, and this venue/room specifically?
Danversport holds a very special place in my heart as it is a very special venue for my family. We have hosted many special events there including my very own sister’s wedding!
Eric and I have big families (my father is 1 of 11 and my mother is 1 of 9, while both of Eric’s parents are 1 of 5!) so we knew we had to have a large, open venue to accommodate everyone.
We are also big ocean people and it was very important our venue was on the water. When we first started venue hunting Danversport was on the top of our list, but we thought we should just visit a few other spots. However, the day Eric and I visited Danversport, there was no question about where we would have our wedding. From the moment we stepped under the arbor looking out to the ocean for the ceremony….all bets were off. We knew we wanted to get married here.
I have worked in corporate event planning for 10 years and Danversport is simply perfect. From the ocean views to the grand ballroom with those iconic chandeliers to the staff who treat you like family…you simply could not ask for more out of a venue.
How many guests did you have in attendance roughly?
We had approximately 265 friends and family members on our wedding day.
What did you offer for food/drink catering?
Starting with the cocktails, we offered a signature cocktail of vodka lemonade. Our guests were more beer and seltzer drinkers so having plenty of Coors Lights and High Noons was a must!
For dinner, our guests had a choice between prime rib or chicken piccata. And for late-night snacks, we provided chicken fingers & fries, and cheeseburgers. That definitely went over well with our guests! We also had a beautiful five-tier cake with vanilla, lemon, chocolate, red velvet, & funfetti!
We received so many compliments about how delicious the food at the Danversport was.
What was the most magical, moving, or special part of the wedding for you?
The day was so beyond perfect — filled with so much emotion, smiles, and laughter. From walking down the aisle and seeing Eric for the first time to sharing our vows, to our first dance together, in which we surprised our guests by having my cousin who is a talented musician sing …it is nearly impossible to pick one moment.
However, there was one special dance where Eric and I had our DJ announce we wanted to dedicate to our immediate families. We all gathered together in the middle of the dance floor (my parents, Eric’s parents, and our siblings) and just started dancing with one another, while our guests made a circle around us. It was a very special moment I will never forget.
Did you have a wedding theme?
Although we did not have an official theme for our wedding, my vision was to keep the look elegant and timeless. Our florals were white and our bridesmaids wore black dresses while our groomsmen wore black suits.
What type of style was your dress?
My dress was an elegant Allison Webb gown. It was golden ivory, fit and flare gown, with a modern peaked neckline with draping….and most importantly my dress had a very special bow on the back for a little bit of drama!
What was the song you danced to for your first dance?
We had my cousin, who is an amazing musician in Nashville, play our first dance song. He played a beautiful, acoustic version of Bryan Adams’s “Heaven.”
Who walked you down the aisle?
My father walked me down the aisle as a string quartet played “Somewhere over the Rainbow” beneath the Gazebo.
What are/were your plans for your honeymoon?
We went straight to Italy for our Honeymoon! We traveled to Venice, Florence, Rome, Praiano, and ended up in Positano. Truly a once in a lifetime trip that we will never forget. We spent our time together exploring these amazing cities, going on tours, eating the BEST pizza & pasta in the world, drinking wine, and relaxing on the beach!
Happily Ever After
This North Shore couple celebrated both their ceremony and reception with their large family at our gazebo and later in the Harborview Ballroom. We are thrilled that they chose Danversport to share this special moment in their lives. We wish them much happiness in the future.
