Real Weddings: Jennie & Jon

Jennie and Jon had an intimate, festival-themed non-traditional wedding in the middle of the California desert that was inspired by Coachella Valley itself. Their relationship dates back, back to Cali, Cali. Jennie and Jon both have brothers who are best friends. As family friends, both knew of one another, but Jennie didn’t give a romantic relationship much thought until they eventually reconnected on Facebook as adults. Jon’s witty comments on Jennie’s feed got her attention, and that was all it took. Jon, who went to Washington & Lee for undergrad and is currently in law school at the University of Arkansas, was living on the opposite side of the country from Jennie, an alumna of Bowie State University, while they were dating. The pair were ready to go from a long-distance relationship to living together so they began searching for a place together in Joshua Tree, CA. They found a place and began moving in, though Jennie who’s a project manager, had a business trip to attend during the moving process. As soon as she returned, she flew straight to their new home together, for her first time seeing it. Jon used this as the perfect opportunity to propose. He led Jennie on a tour of their new home, culminating in him down on one need asking for her hand in marriage. The fun-loving, off-beat couple had a very personalized wedding that incorporated lots of Jon’s and California’s Mexican heritage. Jon is Black and Mexican-American, and many attendees only spoke Spanish. The couple had a bilingual wedding where the reverend they chose translated the ceremony in both languages aloud, as well as their DJ, Don Dirty, spoke Spanish and English throughout the reception. Jennie, a self-proclaimed anti-bride, was not afraid to take on many DIY tasks to bring her vision to life. Her wedding dress was found in the back of her mother’s closet; a Free People purchase her mother only bought because it was on sale and couldn’t actually fit – yet it was perfect for Jennie. Jennie’s attendants wore fashion-forward outfits of their choosing. Jon walked down the aisle escorting his mother, and the couple jumped the broom that belonged to Jennie’s parents from their 25th-anniversary vow renewal. A mini rave with their 60 guests ensued featuring live music by Jennie’s brother, R&B recording artist Jaye Wood. “Under the stars while on top of a mountain in the California desert we partied our little hearts out,” reminisces Jennie of the best day of her life.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Pioneertown, Ca

TIME OF YEAR: Fall

WEDDING STYLE: boho, desert, whimsical

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Le Haute Desert Aerie

DESSERT: Cake

FIRST DANCE SONG: “Why I Love You” by Major

INSPIRATION: Because we used to live near the Coachella valley when people would ask me “what are you near” I would always reference Palm Springs & Coachella Valley. So I figured, hey why not have a Coachella themed wedding! And thus Brownchella was born

SPECIAL FEATURES: jumped the broom, groom walked down the aisle with his father and mother; they nicknamed their wedding “Brownchella”; the entire ceremony was done in English and Spanish; the DJ spoke English and Spanish as well; they had a live performance by R&B recording artist Jaye Wood; wedding favors were mini canvas photos of the couple on tiny easels; they opted to have people sign their names on lavender-colored ribbons that were tied onto the broom they jumped as their “guest book”