Jess Brian and
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Welcome to Charlottesville We are so happy that you are here to celebrate our wedding weekend. Charlottesville has played such an important role in our relationship - it’s where we met, where we first danced together and realized that we might be more than friends, where we celebrated our engagement, and where we have spent countless weekends and vacations over the past nine years. We are excited to exchange our vows on Sunday just a few steps away from the spot where we first met almost eleven years ago. We hope that you get a chance to explore this town that we love so much - to walk around the Downtown Mall - our favorite area of town - and check out some of the restaurants and shops, and maybe to visit UVA Grounds and the Corner. If you have time to venture a little further afield, there are plenty of vineyards and breweries, and we are right next to Shenandoah National Park. We are incredibly grateful that you have made the trip to be here with us. It means the world to us to be surrounded by our very favorite people as we take this next step and begin married life together. We know that you all have made an enormous effort to be here, and that many of you have travelled great distances, taken time off work, arranged for childcare, and missed other events - and we appreciate the effort more than you know. For us, this weekend has always been about the opportunity to celebrate with all of you - thank you so much for making it possible. All our love,
Jess & Brian
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Weekend Schedule REHEARSAL DINNER Saturday, May 25, 2019 7:00 PM Old Metropolitan Hall 101 East Main Street Cocktail Attire WEDDING CEREMONY & RECEPTION Sunday, May 26, 2019 The Blakemore Residence Buses will depart Residence Inn, Omni and Draftsman hotels at 5:00 PM. No parking at the Blakemore Residence. Black Tie FAREWELL BRUNCH Monday, May 27, 2019 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Shebeen Pub & Braai 247 Ridge McIntire Road Casual Attire
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Our Story Almost eleven years ago, Jess and Brian were both working on Senator Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. Jess was traveling around the country setting up campaign events, and Brian was assigned to work on the field campaign in central Virginia. Jess’s sister (and maid of honor), Emily, was working on the campaign as UVA’s campus organizer, and the Blakemore house was serving as a temporary campaign office. On Brian’s first day in Virginia, his first stop was the Blakemore’s home. He arrived just in time for dinner and was greeted by Jess and Em in the driveway. Jess left the next day, but Brian and Em spent the rest of the campaign working together and becoming friends. After the campaign, Brian and Jess each moved to DC. Em was still at UVA, but visited DC frequently to see her then-boyfriend (her now-husband and Brian’s best man), Stuart. Brian had heard all about Stu during the campaign, but they hadn’t met as Stu was studying abroad. One fateful night in 2009, Brian was waiting at a bus stop in DC and met a guy with a British accent who had recently graduated from UVA and had a girlfriend named Emily - Brian introduced himself, and he and Stu have been friends since that night. Brian and Jess saw each other frequently over the next year, as they would all get together every time Em was in DC visiting Stu. It wasn’t until May of 2010 that Jess & Brian found themselves back in Charlottesville together to celebrate Em’s UVA graduation. This time, sparks flew - they danced together in the driveway, right where they had met almost two years before. Their first kiss was a few weeks later and their first date was a few days after that. They read books in Meridian Hill Park and then Brian cooked Jess dinner. In June of 2017, Brian and Em worked out an elaborate scheme to get Jess from New York City to Meridian Hill Park, to the very spot where she and Brian sat reading books seven years before. She was completely surprised when he dropped to one knee and said, “I fell in love with you right here. I'm going to be in love with you the rest of my life. Will you marry me?” Jess said, “Oh my god oh my god is this really happening?!” Brian said yes, and then so did Jess. 6
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About Charlottesville In Charlottesville
To do
The Downtown Mall: One of the largest pedestrian malls in the US, with over 120 shops and 30 restaurants - the Mall also is home to art galleries, theaters, live music venues and a Saturday farmer’s market. The University of Virginia: UVA's campus, designed by Thomas Jefferson, is known as "The Grounds." The epicenter of campus is the Rotunda. The Corner: The 5 block area near UVA known as the Corner is full of bars, restaurants, bookstores, and night time spots on University Avenue directly across from the UVA Grounds.
To eat & drink
(all on the Downtown Mall or just a short walk away) Alley Light: Amazing cocktails, amazing food - mostly small plates. C&O Restaurant: An elegant meal at a historic Charlottesville icon. Reservations a must. Chaps Ice Cream: Delicious homemade ice cream and donuts. Christian’s Pizza: Good pizza. Super casual. Farm Bell: Modern Southern cuisine in a historic setting. Great for brunch. Fitzroy: Great cocktails, good food. Grit Coffee: Coffee, tea, baked goods. Marco & Luca Dumpling Shop: Dumplings, pork buns, and noodles with no-frills counter service. South Street Brewery: Charlottesville's longest running brewery and pub. Three Notch’d Brewery: Great food, great beer.
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Around Charlottesville
Three Presidents
Vineyards & Breweries
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello was There are 30+ vineyards in the region the home and plantation of Thomas and Charlottesville has a thriving craft Jefferson. The newly updated tour beer scene. Most vineyards and breweries presents a more modern historical are a short drive outside of town. perspective of our third President and his Barboursville Vineyards:The best wine home. Book a guided tour in advance, in Charlottesville, on an estate designed and plan for about a 2-hour visit. A 15 by Thomas Jefferson with a fantastic minute drive from downtown. restaurant. 35 minute drive. James Madison’s Montpelier is a 35 Bleinhem Vineyards: Owned by minutes from downtown Charlottesville, Charlottesville's own Dave Matthews. President James Madison's plantation Great views, good wine. 20 minute drive. home. The Mere Distinction of Color is King Family Vineyards: Beautiful a groundbreaking new exhibit on slavery views, great wines - and sometimes you at Montpelier. can catch a polo match. Great picnic James Monroe’s Highland is a spot. 25 minute drive. 15 minute drive from downtown Blue Mountain Brewery: Good beer, Charlottesville. good food - an ideal spot for beers or lunch outside on the sunny patio. Shenandoah National Park 30 minute drive. Shenandoah National Park has plenty Starr Hill Brewery: Independent and of hiking and biking trails and gorgeous locally owned, Starr Hill is the second drives. The closest entrance to downtown oldest craft brewery in Virginia. is in Afton, VA at Rockfish Gap. Skyline 20 minute drive. Drive is a beautiful way to see the park.
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The Blakemores
I think the best way to understand my family is to watch us in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. It is my family’s favorite holiday. My parents decided many years ago to open our home to family, friends, acquaintances, and strangers to celebrate the day together. It’s become a tradition of ours, and while the day no longer includes a dip in the pool to escape the hot Singaporean sun, and while the celebration has grown to last a long weekend instead of just one day, the spirit of love, generosity and warmth pervades just as it always has. Our planning begins weeks in advance, and the emails start flying fast and furious. From menu options to rooming lists, our family makes every decision by consensus, and no decision is considered final until we are sure everyone feels good about it - no matter how many family conferences or side-bar conversations it takes. We send around just as many comments to the invite email as we do to each other’s essays, resumes, and speeches. When the day arrives, we all play to our strengths - Mom as the captain, directing the troops, Em at the stove and the oven, pulling off a masterpiece, Dad in charge of the wine and of course carving the turkey, and me on logistics and decor (and my famous mashed potatoes). Brian and Stu have fit in seamlessly - moving furniture, manning the deep fryer, making sides and playing DJ. We sit down to dinner with 30 or 40 people - from family and close friends to people we’re meeting for the first time. The conversation is always boisterous - a Blakemore dinner is not complete unless we’re in a heated debate over current events or politics or both. Over many years of Thanksgivings, I’ve learned from my family that giving back reminds us of what we have, that being a great hostess has nothing to do with china patterns and everything to do with warmth and grace, and that all things in life are more rewarding when you are part of a team. As Brian and I take this next step together, I am so grateful that my family has taught me what it means to be a teammate and a partner. — 10
Jess
The Damrons
My parents gave me my first big break in life. They were high school sweethearts in Kirksville, Missouri. Luckily for me, they did not stay put and instead started on an unheard of adventure in 1978 when the moved to Brussels, Belgium for a six-month mission trip. My dad, David, is an architect and they went to design a church and college. They came back to the US in 1989 with three children - I am in the middle between older sister Jennifer and younger sister Rachel. (Our parents called us Brussel Sprouts. My love of bad puns started early.) We were raised with a more international perspective than most kids who grow up in Springfield, Missouri. It was fostered by a family summer in Portugal and my parents’ missionary work all over the world - Russia, Romania, the Philippines, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, Bangladesh - the list is much longer. My mom fueled my desire to read and pushed me academically. She was an English, French and Spanish teacher, and remains an avid reader and outspoken grammarian. Most importantly, my whole family surrounded me with love (if not attention, see middle child above). My mom and dad gave me the strongest example of a loving and committed marriage. In 2018, they celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. I owe them everything. —
Brian
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Maid of Honor
Bridesmaids and Bridesmen
Emily Blakemore
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Jennifer Anderson
Anne Carpenter
Theresa Dean
Julia Druhan
Elise Farrell
Kristen O’Neil
Peter Terela
Ethan Yake
Miriam Zelinsky
Best Man
Groomsmen and Groomswomen
Stuart Murphy
Greg Bice
Jennifer Correa
Rachel Damron
Javid Farazad
Camron Gorguinpour
Andrew Kinder
Devon Puglia
Nathan Schradle
Alex Schned
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About Jessica Marie Blakemore BY BRIAN When we were dating, I was the first one who said “I love you.” That was an accident. The words fell out of my mouth, but when I said it, I knew it was right and that Jess would be my partner for life. Jess has more heart than anyone I know. She loves the whole world and believes in every person’s inherent goodness. Her mission is to make the world a better place. By that she means she wants it to be more equitable, just and loving. Her overdeveloped empathy drive, unwavering integrity, intense work ethic and indomitable stubbornness make her a powerful agent of change. Jess believes in making progress at the highest level in order to do the most good. Fair warning - do not be fooled by her good intentions, natural beauty, Blakemore charm or megawatt smile. Jess is the smartest person I know and a master strategist. She is always thinking three steps ahead of everyone else, whether she is planning a bridal shower or a corporate takeover. I want her advice before anyone else’s. When I follow it, I do better than I would have on my own. Her encouragement and example have made me a better person in every way. I think that everyone who comes in contact with Jess is lucky to have met her, and I am the luckiest of all.
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About Brian Keith Damron BY JESS Brian’s greatest loves in life are coffee, war movies, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He can sit for an entire day and watch documentaries, and he’s usually reading two or three biographies at a time. He hates clutter and loves organization (so I drive him crazy!) and nothing makes him happier than checking items off a to-do list. His determination and focus blow me away. He sets ambitious goals for himself and then works hard until he achieves and exceeds them. Brian is constantly striving to become the best version of himself - mentally, physically, and spiritually -and he is always working to be a better partner to me. He is an incredible friend and is deeply committed to his family – nothing makes him laugh harder than a text chain with his friends or an inside joke with his sisters. Brian is constantly looking for ways to make me smile – whether it’s texting me a photo of a cute puppy when he knows I’m having a hard day, or making me coffee every morning to help me wake up, or bringing me flowers on a random Tuesday because he knows it will make my day. He also shows up for my loved ones when they need him - from helping me to set up for a bridal shower to running errands for my mom as she gets ready to host a dinner. Brian supports me in everything that I do – whether it’s quizzing me on bar exam flash cards, helping me to strategize about a problem at work, or staying up all night to help me hand-make our wedding favors, I know that he is at my side for every single challenge that I face. He fights for my dreams as hard as he fights for his own, and I know that everything I do is easier and more rewarding when we do it together. 15
Wherever you are is my home, my only home. Charlotte Bronte, JANE EYRE
magazine design by UNLIKE JULIET
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photography by JEN FARIELLO