Spotlight

ELYSE FRANK & JONATHAN PETERLIN

WEDDING DAY JULY 31, 2021 THE RITZ-CARLTON | DOWNTOWN CLEVELAND TODAY AGES: 29 & 32 HOMETOWN: CLEVELAND

We like to say we met in the blueberry aisle at Heinens – I (Elyse) dropped the carton of blueberries and as I bent down to pick them up, Jonathan was there to help. We locked eyes and the rest is history. ... But we actually met on the dating app, Coffee Meets Bagel.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORIES TO SHARE ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER?

On our third date, Jonathan and I took an Uber together to a Thai restaurant in Tremont. On the drive over, the Uber driver got lost and started circling around downtown Cleveland and went the complete wrong way. We were so enthralled with conversation with one another that it wasn’t until 15 minutes later we looked up to realize the Uber driver was lost.

HOW LONG DID YOU KNOW EACH OTHER BEFORE YOU GOT MARRIED?

Three-and-a-half years. We dated for a year and a half before getting engaged, and then we were engaged for two years (bonus year due to COVID).

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO MARRY YOUR PARTNER?

Elyse: After a few months of dating, I was waiting for Jonathan to be the first one to tell me he loved me so I could say it back, but he was waiting for me to say it first, too. I told Jonathan how much I really, really, really, really liked him. He asked “Do you love me?” I said “Yes,” and then so did he. So I guess I technically told him first, but he prompted me. And from that point on I knew we’d be together forever.

Jonathan: I thought that was my answer. Didn’t I give you that answer?

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF WEDDING PLANNING?

Definitely cake testing. We got cakes from two different bakeries with my (Elyse’s) parents and did a “cake-off.” We sampled frostings, cake flavors and fillings for each of the two bakeries and everyone scored their favorites. At the end of the evening, we tallied up the votes to pick the winning bakery and flavors. We were so stuffed that by the end of the tasting, we couldn’t move. But a year later when COVID happened, we lost the piece of paper with the winning flavors, so we had to do it all over again.

We also loved taking dance lessons for our first dance. We highly recommend couples take dance lessons – it was a super fun experience that put us out of our comfort zone and gave us something to look forward to during the wedding reception. We also turned each dance lesson into a fun date night. We really wanted to add a lift and surprised all of our guests with the big finish.

HOW DID THE PANDEMIC AFFECT YOUR WEDDING PLAN AND WEDDING DAY?

We had originally planned our wedding for July 18, 2020, which was going to be three days before my (Elyse’s) birthday and so the first day of the honeymoon would be on my birthday. In April of 2020, we decided to move the wedding back a year so that our family and loved ones could safely celebrate with us, especially my grandmother (who now just turned 92). We were able to keep all of our original vendors and get married on July 31, 2021.

WAS THERE ANY SPOT-ON ADVICE YOU RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE BIG DAY, EITHER IN TERMS OF THE WEDDING OR LASTING RELATIONSHIP?

The first piece of advice people told us before we got married was don’t go to bed angry. The second piece of advice was to take in every moment the day of the wedding and to look around and soak it all in. Both are spot on, though we never really get upset with each other anyways. The third piece of advice for the wedding was to make sure we find time to eat on the wedding night. Luckily, we didn’t have this problem.

WHAT WAS THE MOST FUN OR INTERESTING JEWISH ASPECT OF YOUR WEDDING/PARTNERSHIP?

Jonathan has enjoyed getting to learn about the Jewish wedding traditions that were important to me and was most excited for the breaking of the glass. We had been to other Jewish weddings prior to ours, where the groom “whiffed” at the breaking of the glass, and Jonathan was determined to break it on the first attempt. When it was time to break the glass, our eyes were all locked on Jonathan’s feet – and he crushed it, literally.

PLANNING

Engagement: June 5, 2019 O ciant: Adam “The Bull” Gerstenhaber Wedding colors: Gold, blush pink and white Dress/Veil: Brides by the Falls in Chagrin Falls Wedding rings: Bookman & Son Fine Jewelry Jewelry: Tennis bracelet from Elyse’s mom and earrings from Nordstrom Shoes: Dillard’s Hair: Elaina Kovach from Style House Beauty Bar and Kim Pasquale Makeup: Rachel Lorraine Artistry and Kaelyn Zielinski for bridesmaids Bridesmaids dresses: Bill Levkoff from Bella Bridesmaids Groom’s formalwear: Suit from Indochino, tie from Jonathan’s dad Groomsmen: Suits from The Black Tux Bouquet/Flowers/Chuppah: Ashley’s Floral Ketubah: Nehama Samson from Etsy Photographer: Imagine It Photography Videographer: Work Shed Weddings Planner: Kim Singerman from Noteworthy Events Ceremony/Reception/Catering: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland Cake: Wild Flour Bakery Rehearsal dinner: Mallorca Invitations/Stationery: Amy Finkenthal from Noteriety Music/Entertainment: Band: The Avenue from Cleveland Music Group; string quartet: Stellare Strings; ceremony soloist: Bob Frank Rentals: Chiavari chairs from weddingchairs.net; photo booth from Cleveland Music Group; limo from A-1 Mr. Limo Accommodations: The Ritz-Carlton, Cleveland Registries: Crate & Barrel, Bed Bath & Beyond and Amazon Honeymoon: Antigua Extras: Custom cookie favors from Cookies by Courtney; wedding signage by Laveda Peterlin; first dance lessons from Viva Dance Studio

“ ur wedding ceremony was so special to us. ur officiant, dam “The ull,” is a colleague of onathan’s on the radio at . The Fan) and he made the wedding ceremony so unique. From his big booming voice and “live from downtown Cleveland I now pronounce you husband and wife” finale, he made the ceremony feel truly show stopping. t was also so special to have Elyse’s year old grandmother wal down the aisle and dance the hora.”

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Left and center photos © Genevieve Nisly Photography Right photo © Dennis Crider Photography