Jenny & Joel

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Ceremony Location: Cathedral of the Risen Christ, Lincoln
Reception Location: Country Club of Lincoln
Bridal Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Bridesmaid's Dresses: Jim Hjelm
Tuxedos: Custom-tailored black Italian tuxes, Emsud's Expert Alterations in Lincoln
Makeup: In-home Chanel makeup application by Claudia Messineo of
Lincoln Bride and Mother of the Bride Hair: Devonna Primavera of Lincoln
Bridal Party Hair: Tranquility Salon in Lincoln
Bride's Ring: Tiffany-style with round diamond passed down from Joel's late father ; Borsheim's wedding band Groom's Ring: Two-tone brushed-andpolished titanium band with diamonds
Flowers: Mike Hillis of Hillis & Company, Lincoln
Caterer: Country Club of Lincoln
Cake: Donna Roehrs of Lincoln
Soloist: Steve Kocher of Chicago, friend of the groom
Instrumentalists: Summit String Quartet of Lincoln
Organist: Dave Schmidt of Lincoln
Trumpet: Tom Kelly of Lincoln
Reception Music: Pam and the Pearls of Omaha
Photography: Geoff Johnson, Omaha
Videography: Special Images, Omaha
Transportation: VIP Limo of Lincoln
Invitations/Programs: Paper Panache in Lincoln created a neutral palette of off-white letterpress on pure cotton rag paper by Elum.
Graphic Designer: Carla Roscoe of Moon Design in Lincoln helped with design of menu cards, ceremony programs, seating chart and monogram.
Rentals: United Rental and AAA Rents & Event Services
Travel Agent: Melissa Blue of Blue Hawaii Vacations in California
Wedding Planner: Tracey Fricke of Special Occasion by Design in Omaha and Maryanne Heiser, mother of the bride
Favors: Heart-shaped butter cream sugar cookies with white frosting

Oprah Winfrey once referred to St. Patrick's Church in downtown Chicago as "the place to meet your match." Jenny Heiser and Joel Pilka would agree. Both were invited and felt compelled to attend a block-party fundraiser for the historic church. Jenny and Joel bumped into each other, chatted, and ultimately exchanged phone numbers. Three months later, their paths crossed again at a black-tie fundraiser and they agreed to get together the following week.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Jenny left Chicago to pursue a master's degree in advertising, marketing and communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln but maintained a long-distance relationship with Joel. After two years of dating, Joel proposed.

"I was in Germany for a conference. The World Cup soccer competition was in Berlin that year and Joel decided to fly in with friends to see some of the matches," Jenny said. After meeting up in Berlin, Joel took Jenny to a quaint Italian bistro in a quiet alley.

"Our candlelit table was outside on the cobblestones," Jenny said. During the meal, Joel excused himself. When he returned, he moved his chair aside, looked at Jenny and proposed. "I threw my face in my hands," she said. "I was so emotional I don't exactly remember what he said." After dinner, they spent the rest of the night walking the streets of Berlin yelling, "We're engaged."

Exactly a year after proposing, Jenny and Joel were married June 23, 2007. The ceremony was held at the Cathedral of the Risen Christ in Lincoln, with the reception at the Country Club of Lincoln.

The atmosphere of the day was vintage garden with a contemporary feel inspired by romantic overtones and summer neutrals using garden greens, whites, off-whites and hints of pink with golden accents.

Jenny carried a just-picked bouquet with stems wrapped in satin ribbon and her grandmother's rosary. Her bouquet included clematis flown in from California, garden roses, ranunculus, green mini-cymbidium orchid blossoms, ladies mantel, and white and green hydrangea.

Emphasizing the garden motif, the room was adorned with boxwood shrubbery and large trees twinkling with hundreds of tiny white lights. The Chivari opera chairs had sheer gold organza covers.

The chandeliers were wrapped with Southern smilez and white clematis, while the dining tables were draped in off-white linens with a silk overlay. The centerpieces - varying in style and height - utilized the same flowers found in the bridal bouquet and basked in the warm glow offered by clusters of votive candles.

Jenny wore a fitted, strapless crème Chantilly lace gown with a latte silk underlay by Monique Lhuillier.

During the day, she wore an offwhite ribbon with an antique broach made of Swarovski crystals and seeded pearls. For the reception, Jenny switched to a fitted belt encrusted with Swarovski crystals.

Joel made the day complete with the debut of their wedding song, which he wrote, sang and co-produced with Derrick Procell of Chicago.

"A Perfect Day" brought tears to everyone's eyes by the end of the couple's first dance.

"I knew he was up to something because he kept changing our first-dance song. He didn't seem to care what it would be, even up until the last moment.''

Jenny and Joel both come from large families and they wanted to be sure everyone was involved in the events of the day. A photograph of the cousins, bridal party and grandparents captured the essence of family tradition and togetherness.

The couple honeymooned in Maui before making their home in Illinois.

"I feel so fortunate to have been able to have such a special day. It could not have been possible without the support of family, friends, and guests who came from all over the country," Jenny said. "This was more than I could have ever imagined. We had such a good time. I almost want to do it all over again!"