KOURTNEY AND JOE MIERZEJEWSKI’S LOVE STORY BEGAN EIGHT AND A HALF YEARS AGO WHEN SHE STARTED WORKING AT THE SAME CONSTRUCTION COMPANY AS JOE IN BOSTON. THE TWO FELT AN INSTANT CONNECTION, AND THEIR BOND CONTINUED TO GROW STRONGER YEAR AFTER YEAR.
Sharing hobbies like soccer, love of the outdoors, concerts, renovating, and especially traveling, this couple couldn’t be more perfectly paired. Over the years, Kourtney and Joe indulged in a few tropical getaways, escaping to the popular U.S. Virgin Islands. The appeal of their favorite destination’s charm inspired Joe to pop the question during a vacation in April of 2013. Joe, a nervous traveler and type A personality, was on edge leading up to the trip. He wanted to make sure everything was flawless. “From the moment he got the ring, it was burning a hole in his pocket,” said Kourtney. “When he finally proposed, he felt relieved. He was so sweet and sincere.” Staying at the Marriott Frenchman’s Reef and Morning Star Beach Resort, the couple and their friends were spoiled with a picturesque view of the pristine beach. Joe, wanting some privacy, took Kourtney on an intimate evening walk along the cliff to gaze up at the stars. The scene was gorgeous, with palms trees, crashing waves, and the sparkling night sky. When they reached the bottom, he got down on one knee, ring in hand, and asked her to marry him. “I died on the spot,” said Kourtney. “I had no idea he was going to ask me. It was so romantic.”
The islands are known to leave guests mesmerized, yearning for more time near the blue salty sea and warm sand. Kourtney and Joe, after looking at multiple wedding venues in Boston, decided that nothing compared to their beloved Caribbean paradise. Wanting a secluded beach setting to accommodate their guests, Kourtney and Joe selected The Westin St. John Resort for the exchanging of their vows. Sixty-five close friends and family traveled from Maine, New York, and Boston to sink their toes in the sand and join in on the festivities. Leading up to the big day, the couple wanted to make sure their guests felt welcome and at ease. On Wednesday evening, the couple threw a kick-off party and gave each guest a custom designed bag filled with goodies like local rum and hot sauce. Two days later, a group of 30 went on a half-day catamaran sail, giving guests the chance to take in the undeniable beauty of St. John.
On Nov. 15, 2014, Kourtney and Joe said “I do.” All their hard work and planning was well worth it because everything turned out exquisitely. For their color, they chose jungle green, which was elegantly
accented with assorted pink flowers. The bridesmaids wore flowy jungle green infinity dresses, each wrapped uniquely. They carried bouquets of peonies, roses, and greenery, tied with white ribbon. In their hair, they wore exotic fuchsia orchids, which added a brilliant pop of color. By their sides were the handsome groomsmen, sporting classic white shirts, khaki pants, and blue-green plaid neck ties. Stealing the show, of course, was Kourtney. She looked ravishing in a signature gown by the Australian line, Grace Loves Lace. Her beach-ready white dress was adorned with French lace and a sheer overlay. She looked like a goddess as she walked down the aisle to “At Last.” Captain Phil Chalker, a local wayward sailor, served as the officiant of the ceremony. He was perfect for the job. In the company of this spiritual sailor, and their friends and family, Kourtney and Joe exchanged their own personal vows, which were an accurate depiction of the pair’s feelings for one another.
“I take you to be my best friend, my faithful partner, and my one true love,” they said to one another. “I promise to challenge you and inspire you. To be grateful and to take nothing for granted. I promise to love you truly with all I have to give— when life seems easy and when it seems hard, when our love is simple, and when it’s an effort.”
I TAKE YOU TO BE MY BEST FRIEND, MY FAITHFUL PARTNER, AND MY ONE TRUE LOVE, I PROMISE TO CHALLENGE YOU AND INSPIRE YOU. TO BE GRATEFUL AND TO TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED. I PROMISE TO LOVE YOU TRULY WITH ALL I HAVE TO GIVE—WHEN LIFE SEEMS EASY AND WHEN IT SEEMS HARD, WHEN OUR LOVE IS SIMPLE, AND WHEN IT’S AN EFFORT.
Following the ceremony, everyone headed to RhumbLines for a lively reception. The restaurant was so accommodating, offering the party a comfortable environment and delicious Caribbean and Pacific Rim cuisine. A crowd favorite was the rum punch station, which let guests craft their own sweet concoctions. “We never had to ask for anything,” said Kourtney. “They took care of everything. They even gave Joe and I our own bottle of celebratory champagne.” Kourtney and Joe first danced together to “The One I Love” by David Gray. Then, Jon Gazi kept the room moving with his upbeat and spicy songs. Never was there an empty dance floor the entire evening. To the end, Kourtney and Joe continued to demonstrate their deep gratitude for their guests’ attendance. To send their guests off in the best spirits, they threw a farewell brunch on Sunday, complete with bloody marys and mimosas. “The most lasting memory is getting that group of people in the same place at the same time for a once in a lifetime event,” said Joe. “That group of people will never be together again, and hearing how much fun everyone had that week will never get old. Overall, we just wanted a big party with all our favorite people in one of our favorite places, and that’s exactly what we got.” After the last weekend gathering, Kourtney and Joe journeyed to the British Virgin Islands for their honeymoon. The couple couldn’t have asked for a better wedding, and they feel certain that the islands will forever hold a special place in their hearts. – By Melissa Kenyon
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