{"id":4819,"date":"2021-11-15T03:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-15T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/when-the-groom-got-covid-a-week-before-the-wedding-this-couple-changed-plans-for-the-fifth-time\/"},"modified":"2021-11-15T03:00:00","modified_gmt":"2021-11-15T08:00:00","slug":"when-the-groom-got-covid-a-week-before-the-wedding-this-couple-changed-plans-for-the-fifth-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/espacestudio.ca\/en\/when-the-groom-got-covid-a-week-before-the-wedding-this-couple-changed-plans-for-the-fifth-time\/","title":{"rendered":"When the Groom Got COVID a Week Before the Wedding, This Couple Changed Plans for the Fifth Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

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They finally said \u201cI do\u201d at River House at Odette\u2019s in New Hope.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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\n\t\t\tDelivering the latest in style, inspiration, helpful tips and tricks, and everything else you need to know to plan the perfect Philly wedding.\t\t<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\"River<\/p>\n

Jewel Lester and Ameer Sherard\u2019s River House at Odette\u2019s micro-wedding was moody and glam. Photography by Avonn\u00e9 Photography<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cLove conquers all\u201d \u2014 that could be the theme not only of 2020, but also of 2021. The evidence, of course, is the many soon-to-be-weds whose nuptials were impacted by the pandemic<\/a> \u2014 and, at the same time, the ups and downs of life itself. It\u2019s particularly true for this couple, who changed plans five times before finally finding a date that stuck. Their gorgeous, sophisticated and bittersweet River House at Odette\u2019s<\/a> micro-wedding was captured by Avonn\u00e9 Photography<\/a>, as you can see below.<\/p>\n

\"River\"invitation\"\"bride\"\"makeup\"\"hair\"\"earrings\"\"reveal\"\"groom\"\"groom\"\"groom\"<\/p>\n

Jewel Lester<\/strong> and Ameer Sherard<\/strong> met in one of the most romantic places \u2014 in Antigua, on a trip to celebrate a mutual friend\u2019s 30th birthday. They ended up watching the sunset together one evening, just the two of them, and talking till the wee hours. The day after returning to their respective homes (the Germantown-raised Jewel was living in D.C. at the time, and Ameer was living in Brooklyn), they started dating.<\/p>\n

Two years later, Ameer, an FDNY firefighter, proposed. \u201cI said yes, and ever since, I\u2019ve asked him to ask me again multiple times, because I love the way he loves me. \u2026 More than anything, I want to keep living life with him, laughing with him and growing with him,\u201d says Jewel, a human-resources officer.<\/p>\n

\"first\"first\"portraits\"\"portraits\"\"first\"father's<\/p>\n

The couple, who now live in Brooklyn, initially planned to get married on October 2, 2021, at Front & Palmer<\/a> in Kensington, with 175 guests. The date was special because it would have been Jewel\u2019s grandmother\u2019s 95th birthday, but she passed away in the fall of 2020. Within a week of her death, Ameer\u2019s father was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, and Jewel\u2019s dad had two strokes.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe decided life was too short and moved the date up,\u201d says Jewel. Their new choice: February 13, 2021, at Fame<\/a>, with 75 guests. When the city shut down indoor events, they looked to New Hope, which had different guidelines. They tried an Airbnb, but the host ended up canceling out of concern for COVID. So they booked River House at Odette\u2019s.<\/p>\n

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But that wasn\u2019t the last of it: A week before the wedding, Ameer got COVID. So they pivoted again, moving the date to March 13th. Jewel credits planner Caitlin Maloney Kuchemba of Clover Event Co. for helping them get through it: \u201cShe worked with the vendors to handle logistical changes as they came,\u201d says the bride, who notes that the couple had to get a new photographer due to a schedule conflict and lost money on the original caterer. \u201cShe talked to me almost daily to make sure Ameer and I were okay.\u201d<\/p>\n

Despite it all, the result was a dream. The day had a moody, glam winter vibe, down to the groom\u2019s jacket. During their first look, he surprised his bride when he revealed he\u2019d had \u201cFound a Jewel\u201d stitched into the lining. Both Jewel and Ameer also had virtual first looks with their wedding-party members who weren\u2019t able to attend.<\/p>\n

\"bridal\"bride\"\"groom\"<\/p>\n

The 24 in-person guests (there were 200 virtual attendees) all dressed the part: Jewel\u2019s father sported a peacock-patterned bow tie, and Ameer\u2019s dad wore a new feather in his hat. And Jewel\u2019s other grandmother sported a fur coat over her sparkly dress when she walked down the aisle as flower girl.<\/p>\n

The ceremony scene was set with plush velvet furnishings and dramatic flowers \u2014 RAM Floral used a custom-color anthurium from Haus of Stems<\/a> that was appropriately named \u2018The Jewel\u2019 as well as dyed \u2018Brownie\u2019 tulips and carnations, black-painted foliage, and local anemones, roses and ranunculus. Clover also made a custom Harry Potter sign for the bride \u2014 an avid fan of the series.<\/p>\n

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In another special touch, the couple was married by friend Collin Williams \u2014 who ran the group travel agency behind the Antigua trip where they first met.<\/p>\n

The reception followed suit with black linens, gold accents, and custom acrylic name cards to welcome each guest to the party \u2014 and what a soiree it was. The groom\u2019s favorite part was the soul-train line with their families: \u201cEveryone was out on the dance floor,\u201d he says. A surprise for the bride: Her Delta Sigma Theta sorority sisters pre-recorded their sweetheart song to be played during the event, and six of her sisters encircled her while it played.<\/p>\n

\"Final\"<\/p>\n

There were six different doughnuts \u2014 sweet potato chai brioche and maple-bacon cake among them \u2014 for dessert. And there were nods to Jewel\u2019s late grandmother, like her favorite 7-Up cake, baked by Clara\u2019s Groovy Deliciousness. \u201cI could feel my grandmother\u2019s presence,\u201d says Jewel. \u201cIt was perfect.\u201d<\/p>\n

THE DETAILS
<\/b>Photographer: Avonn\u00e9 Photography<\/a> | Venue & Catering: River House at Odette\u2019s<\/a> | Planning, Styling, Coordination, Invitations & Signage: Clover Event Co.<\/a> | Florals: RAM Floral<\/a> | Bride\u2019s Gown: Kleinfeld Bridal<\/a> | Hair: Dommie Cole<\/a> | Makeup: Robin Chism<\/a> | Groom\u2019s Attire: Gar\u00e7on Couture<\/a> | Entertainment: Jersey Gina<\/a> (ceremony music); Yannick Jones<\/a> (reception music) | Cake: Clara\u2019s Groovy Deliciousness<\/a> | Videography: PenWeddings<\/a> | Officiant: Collin Williams of Collin Devon Events<\/a> | Linens: N\u00fcage Designs<\/a> | Rentals: Party Rental Ltd.<\/a> (tablescape); Allaire Rentals<\/a> (furniture) | Photobooth: Dearly Beloved Booth<\/a><\/p>\n

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Getting married? Start and end your wedding planning journey with Philadelphia Weddings’ guide to the best wedding vendors<\/a> in the city<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n