“After four days we had a Skype conversation and he booked a flight to see me the next day. It was a whirlwind.” > feature wedding :
JACQUELINE BRUNO AND JOSEPH FINLEY SEPTEMBER 21, ‘12 NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND
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Joseph Finley likes to joke that his relationship with Jacqueline Bruno was “love at first Skype.” It was January of 2009 and Joseph was living in London and Jackie had just started her first on-air reporting job in Springfield, Massachusetts. Mutual friends thought they would have a great connection and introduced the two on Facebook. “After a few messages, I knew there was something special,” remembers Jackie. “After four days, we had a Skype conversation and he booked a flight to see me the next day. It was a whirlwind.” The two continued Skyping and talking in the weeks leading up to Joe’s first visit. “It was a unique experience to fall in love with some-
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one before you actually meet her,” he says. “The first time we met was at Logan Airport. After that moment, I knew my life would never be the same.” After an “across the pond” relationship for a year, Joe relocated to New York City for a few years before making the move to Massachusetts once Jackie had joined New England Cable News as an anchor. Although the couple had looked for engagement rings together, Joe was still able to surprise Jackie with his proposal. With both sets of parents in town to celebrate his 30th birthday, Joe rushed home from work to pick up Jackie and head to the restaurant to meet the folks. Already running late, Jackie thought he was fumbling for his keys as they stood outside his apartment, but instead he was pulling out
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the ring. “Jackie almost fell over herself,” recalls Joe. “We both cried and embraced.” No stranger to fashion and weddings—Jackie is a former Miss Massachusetts USA and also spent years modeling for both “Grace Ormonde Wedding Style” and The Grand Bridal Show— she knew she wanted a wedding day that was chic and glamorous and chose waterfront Belle Mer as the location. After a “first look,” the couple drove through downtown Newport in Jackie’s uncle’s vintage Cadillac convertible before the outdoor, sunset ceremony officiated by close friend Ryan Sbarra. “It was wonderful for us to commit to each other eternally with so many of our loved ones standing alongside us,” says Joe of the large bridal party. The almost 200 guests dined on petite filet mignon, braised short ribs and crab-crusted white fish before enjoying cake and macaroons. “Joe brought me them from London every time he visited,” says Jackie of the sweet French confections. Adele’s “Make You Feel My Love” played—the first song Joe ever sent to Jackie—as the newlyweds shared their opening dance.
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An eight-day trip to Kauai and Maui, Hawaii followed. “It felt wonderful to finally introduce Jackie as my wife,” says Joe. No longer needing to travel to be together, the two cherish any free time they have together despite their demanding jobs. “He’s an incredible husband, my best friend and supportive of my career,” adds Jackie. “I feel like I hit the jackpot.” > Written by April C. Miller For more feature weddings and resources visit WeddingStyleNewEngland.com
Location: Belle Mer Newport, RI; Cake:
Confectionery Designs by Mark Soliday Newport, RI; Florist: Ray’s Flower Shop Fall River, MA; Linen: Nüage Designs Miami, FL; Lighting: Ormonde Productions Newport, RI; Tuxedo: Tux Towne Taunton, MA; Gown: Oscar de la Renta at L’élite Boston, MA; Photography: Cheryl Richards Photographer Newport, RI and Boston, MA
thank you for sharing your story
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GRACE ORMONDE WEDDING STYLE NEW ENGLAND
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