Original Wedding: Kaori and Jon at Turf Valley's Terrace on the Green

Having made the decision to attend a Marine Corps presentation, solely based on the free pizza, I can’t imagine that Jon ever thought that that one move would lead to the rest of his life. Not only did it decide his career path, it also led him to Kaori.

Kaori and Jon met in Japan, where Jon was stationed shortly after training and Kaori was earning her Master’s Degree and working on base. As Jon describes it, he wandered into her office one day and remembers thinking about how lovely she was, but doing nothing about it. Months later, he asked Kaori out and she said yes. She continued to say yes and when their relationship made it through stressful jobs and deployments, Jon realized he couldn’t leave Japan without her.


You can tell, just by being in the same room as them, that Kaori and Jon are deeply in love. The way he treats at her with such tenderness and adoration, the way she looks at him, the way he pulls her in close every time a slow song comes on, the way she leans on him and trusts him… It’s all evidence that they are meant for each other and I’m so happy that I was able to share in celebrating their celebration.

Kaori and Jon’s wedding day was nothing short of perfect. The centerpieces, the cake, the menu, they were all fantastic. But, my absolute favorite things had to be the personal touches that they incorporated. Their guest book was a kokeshi doll, a Japanese wooden doll, which unrolled into a scroll for guests to sign. {It was a male doll that matched a female version that they used at their wedding ceremony in Japan.} Guests took home a shamoji, a flat rice paddle, which was devised in Kaori’s hometown and is thought to bring good luck and happiness. Included with the shamoji was a small origami crane that was an ode to Kaori’s putting them in the letters she sent to Jon while he was deployed. Jon even used his sword to cut the cake.

Each and every detail was thought out and specifically unique to Kaori and Jon and I can’t begin to put into words how much fun I had planning everything with them. I’m certainly going to miss our weekly emails and conversations and am honored that they put their trust in NoLo to plan and coordinate their special day.

Full Planning & Centerpieces: NoLo Weddings & Events
Ceremony: Grace Historic Stone Church
Reception: Turf Valley's Terrace on the Green
Catering: Turf Valley
Cake: Debi's Cake Studio
Photographer: Gobrail Photography
Florist: 41st Flower
Stationary: LoveTag Design