Welcome to this month’s installment of the “I Do” Interviews! This month our wedding series features a lovely couple, Jillian and Frank, who said their vows on a beautiful August day last year. They chose to celebrate both their ceremony and reception with us starting at the beautiful outdoor gazebo and moving indoors to the Harborview Ballroom with their 150 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.
Jillian and Frank
Wedding Date – August 20, 2022
Event Space – The Harborview Ballroom.
Where are you originally from?
I am from Massachusetts and Frank is from New Jersey.
What do you do for work?
I am the Head of Children’s Literature for the public libraries in Framingham, and Frank is the Assistant Director of Parks & Recreation in Sharon.
How did you meet your bride or groom?
We both met at a wedding we were in back in 2015! Jillian’s college roommate was getting married as was Frank’s cousin. We first spoke right after the ceremony and danced the night away and the rest is history!
What made you choose Danversport, and this venue/room specifically?
Approximately 34 years ago Jillian’s parents were married at Danversport and used the same ballroom that we chose! We originally checked out the venue merely to make Jillian’s mom cry, but we ended up loving everything about it!
How many guests did you have in attendance roughly?
We had approximately 150 friends and family members on our wedding day.
What did you offer for food/drink catering?
For the main meal, we offered our guests the Filet Mignon, Cider Glazed Chicken, and Sautéed Quinoa with Edamame Dumplings. For cocktails, we offered an open bar with our cats, Gustavo and Jax, as our signature drinks for the Blue Hawaiian and Mai Tai.
What was the most magical, moving, or special part of the wedding for you?
The most moving and special part of the wedding was our first dance and parent dances. Jillian and her father took dance lessons for three months to have the dance they always envisioned! Soon after Frank and Jillian took lessons, and Frank was even able to take one when his mom flew up for the wedding weekend. We also loved receiving the live wedding painting we had done during the ceremony and reception!
Did you have a wedding theme?
Our theme was an elegant navy and gold feel, which on the count of three (while wedding planning) was the first color choice we said at the same time!
What was the song you danced to for your first dance?
We danced to Perfect by Ed Sheeran.
What style was your dress?
I had 2 dresses, one for the ceremony and one for the reception! My ceremony dress was a handkerchief ball gown with horsehair edging and floral applique and a matching veil. My secret party dress was a lace crop top two-piece with a long skirt!
Who walked you down the aisle?
Bert Holmberg, the bride’s father, walked her down the aisle.
What are/were your plans for your honeymoon?
We left for Maui, Hawaii for eight days the day after our wedding and then spent three days in San Francisco! It’s the furthest west we’ve ever been and it was our first vacation taken together.
Happily Ever After
Congratulations to Jillian and Frank! We love that Jillian’s mom and dad were married here and now the next generation is sharing the moment with family and friends as they tie the knot. We wish this special couple a lifetime of happiness together.
