Erin & Jeremy

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Ceremony location: The Magnolia Hotel
Reception location: The Magnolia Hotel
Bridal Gown: Justin Alexander, Bridal Traditions
Bridesmaid Dresses: Eden Bridesmaids, J. Marie's, Lincoln
Tuxedos: Men's Warehouse
Hair: Morgan Evers, Avalon Suites
Makeup: Heather Artz, W Salon, Lincoln
Rings: Goldsmith Silversmith
Flowers: Paul at Simply Flowers, Center Mall
Cake: Michaela Hug-Nelson, La-Charlotte
Music: iTunes. Bride's brother was the DJ; Friends chose their favorite songs.
Photography: GeoffJohnson Photography
Invitations/Programs: Adam Nielsen, bi-'st O Design
Travel Agent: Diane Fischer, Regency Travel
Wedding Planner: Mindell Rethwisch, Magnolia Hotel
Favors: Adam Nielsen designed matchbooks for the couple, who collect them. Out-of-town guests staying at the hotel received welcome bags filled with information about the Old Market, Nebraska playing cards, specialty nuts and candy, and facial tissue.

Erin Joekel was ready to give up on men until she was cast in "Dogs Playing Poker," a benefit for the Nebraska Humane Society. The show still needed a leading man when someone suggested Jeremy Stoll, who had been described to Erin as "tall and good-looking."

Erin, sensing a matchmaking attempt, announced that she was done with men. "I showed up for rehearsal and the first person I saw was Jeremy. I thought, 'OK, maybe I'm not totally done with men.'"

After three rehearsals, Erin invited Jeremy out for a drink. "He had amazing eyes. And I loved his voice. He has a deep voice that makes me melt. He told me he was a teacher and that really touched me."

Jeremy found Erin beautiful, elegant, humorous and well-spoken. It was an instant attraction.

The coupled dated for 15 months before Jeremy proposed in Colorado on New Year's Eve. It was about 1 a.m. when Jeremy suggested they go for a walk. "I didn't want to go because it was freezing," Erin recalls. They walked to the Visitor's Center Square in Breckenridge and stopped on a bridge crossing over a small brook. The mountains were bathed in moonlight. "It was a beautiful, clear night. All the Christmas lights were on and there was snow."

Jeremy was standing with his arms around her when she suggested they make New Year's resolutions. "He said, 'Good idea' and pulled off my glove and put the ring on my finger. I think I screamed and then cried and
starting jumping up and down."

Erin and Jeremy were married Oct. 12, 2007, in the courtyard of the Magnolia Hotel in Omaha. A reception followed in the ballroom. Instead of exchanging traditional vows, the couple expressed their gratitude for one another. "We each chose three things that we appreciated and loved about each other."

During the lighting of the unity candle, each guest received a small, tapered candle. Jeremy's sister and a close friend walked down the center aisle, lighting the first candle in each row. Guests, in turn, lit the next person's candle in their row. The glow spread from the back of the courtyard to the wedding couple's parents in the front row. Jeremy and Erin each lit a candle from their parents' candles and then lit the unity candle as a couple.

Their invitation let guests know this would be a unique ceremony. The theme for their wedding, "Thank you for being," came from a card Erin had sent Jeremy during their courtship.

Their wedding colors were black and white. Their flowers: Red and white ranunculus and ornithogalums. The reception tables were graced with white lilies in tall vases and clusters of white carnations in short vases wrapped in black fabric.

Conversation cards on black tablecloths helped guests break the ice. A photo booth complete with funny hats and props kept the early stages of the reception lively; a projection screen outside the booth showed guests waiting in line what was happening inside the booth. "We got some amazing pictures. Jeremy's grandma even got in there and put on Viking horns." The candids were placed in the guestbook and guests were encouraged to write messages beside their photos.

"Our wedding was better than I could have imagined," Erin said.

"In every picture, I have the biggest, craziest smile on my face because I was so happy."