November 20, 2021 | Emilee Deutchman-Blaschke and Brian Blaschke’s love story isn’t without its setbacks, but the couple overcame them all to finally tie the knot in an ultra-personal ceremony a year and a day ago.
The couple met in January 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida (where they still live), though they each moved to new cities shortly after meeting: Emilee to Boston and Brian to Whidbey Island, Washington. They dated long-distance for nearly three years, which included a deployment and move to Washington, DC for Brian, a Navy officer and pilot. Just hours before midnight on New Year’s Eve 2019, Brian asked Emilee to be his wife during a trip to the Salamander Resort in Middleburg, Virginia.
Little did they know the uphill battle they would have to face in the coming months. Their wedding was twice postponed but eventually took place in Emilee’s native central Ohio.
Family and close friends were heavily involved; the wedding party consisted of Emilee’s sister and brother-in-law, and Brian’s best friend. (COVID uncertainties made a larger wedding party too complicated, Emilee says.) The bride’s best friend, a graphic designer, created a custom monogram that was featured throughout the wedding décor and stationery.
Emilee wore her mother’s veil, which had previously been worn by her sister, and the newlyweds were draped in Brian’s father’s tallis prayer shawl, which he had received for his bar mitzvah nearly 60 years earlier. They also used the kiddush cup from Emilee’s parents’ wedding during their own ceremony. Her parents’ cake topper adorned the cake, which Brian cut with his ceremonial officer’s sword, a Naval Academy graduation gift from his late grandmother.
Brian’s military background was also represented through an engraving on his Breitling watch, the recession song (naval hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”), and guest favors, which took the form of donations to the Travis Manion Foundation. (named after a former Naval Academy classmate) and The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center, James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute.
Out-of-town guests didn’t leave empty-handed, though; they enjoyed Ohio-themed welcome boxes curated by Tracie Zody of Novel Storied Gifts.
The evening concluded with an after party in the Athletic Club’s basement bowling alley, where guests enjoyed Donatos and White Castle, one of the most memorable parts of the entire day, says Emilee.
Sellers
Ceremony, reception and catering: Athletic Club of Colon
Pie: Lavender and Honey Wedding Cakes
Planner: StR events
Florist: Floral and Boat Event Design
Rentals: Event Source (table linen, cutlery) and Aiden & Grace (furniture)
Music: the conspiracy gang
Photographer: Caroline Hilty Photography
Videographer: Jonas Epps Films
Stationery: The paper vote
Welcome boxes:novelty gifts
Transportation: extreme limousine
Accommodations: LeVeque Hotel and Renaissance Columbus Downtown Hotel
rehearsal dinner: due friends
sunday brunch:Lindey’s
Bride’s attire: Dimitra’s Bridal Couture (Chicago) Romona Keveza Dress, Heirloom Veil, Manolo Blahnik Shoes, Jennifer Behr Accessories
Cleaning/preservation of gowns:Dublin Cleaners
Bride’s hairstyle and makeup: Hair Artists Salon and Angie Warren Makeup Artistry
Groom’s attire: Ralph Lauren Purple Label Tuxedo from Saks Fifth Avenue, Breitling and Givenchy accessories
Rings: Kwiat
bridesmaid outfit: Saks Fifth Avenue J. Mendel Dresses
Groomsmen attire: Saks Fifth Avenue Tuxedos