DAVID MERKOW + JORDAN SCHER
Photos by Clane Gessel with Clane Gessel Photography
Wedding Highlights Videography by David Ethridge of AVR Films
https://mediazilla.com/cnwbgbaG2?autoplay=1
WHEN THEY MET
This couple met in Chicago back in 2010. The groom was a professional golfer at the time and the bride was pursuing medical school. On May 5, 2010, David’s 25th birthday, he convinced Jordan to meet with him on a first “official” date. Although Jordan paid the tab (David always has to point out ‘it was his birthday!’, it was very clearly love at first sight and their relationship blossomed despite career changes, long distance, and attending different medical schools.
THE PROPOSAL
Jordan’s golden birthday was February 27, 2014. David had been planning to propose since October and had ample time to create the perfect engagement. On February 28, 2014, he had arranged for his family from Wisconsin and Baltimore, and her family from the San Francisco Bay Area, to fly out to Chicago where they were living together at the time to celebrate the proposal with them. David proposed by giving Jordan three gifts the day after her birthday – claiming that some gifts were “delayed by the mail.” The first, a pillowcase with the phrase “Mr.” embroidered on the front, followed by “Mrs.” and then the ring in multiple boxes that Jordan had to unwrap. The ring itself was symbolic – David designed it to sit atop the letter “M,” the first initial of his last name. After the proposal David told Jordan that there were more surprises- family had flown in to celebrate. We all spent the weekend together at some of the couple’s favorite Chicago eateries.
MAZEL TOV, MR. & MRS. DAVID & JORDAN MERKOW!
WITH GRATITUDE
“My husband and I are both medical students across the country, so planning a wedding several time zones away was going to be challenging. Additionally, I am a self-described personality type “AAA” so I knew I wanted to be as involved as I could in the wedding planning process but also have someone on my team that I could entrust with all other details when my wedding could not be prioritized. As a thorough individual, I wanted to do my due diligence in researching a wedding planner who would protect my vision, understand my neuroses, and be flexible with a demanding schedule. In the end I made a spreadsheet of 46 wedding planners – spoke to most of them over the phone and eventually landed on Duncan Reyes. Duncan was truly the brains behind our entire wedding- not to mention a complete genius when it comes to knowing who’s who in the Bay Area wedding scene. In the end Duncan did so much more than plan our wedding; he introduced us to vendors that I never would have found, answered thousands of e-mails (responding to all of them with lightning speed!), and kept meticulous records of budgets, payments, and meetings. To those of you weighing whether or not to have a wedding planner – it was an absolute must for us and really allowed us to enjoy the wedding planning process and most importantly our wedding day. Duncan Reyes truly has our highest recommendation and is a pleasure to work with. He coordinated our wedding, dealt with crazy nuances (and personalities), and handled all stress and anxiety with poise and grace. Several weeks have gone by and we are still getting endless compliments on our wedding and wedding weekend. Duncan absolutely knows how to make YOUR special vision come to life in the most vibrant and fabulous form. Most importantly, my husband and I were beyond floored our wedding day and would not have changed a thing.” – Jordan Scher Merkow
THE “DREAM TEAM”
“It was crucial to have vendors that I trusted and could be myself with. The wedding planning and photography were two areas that I really cared about – and I am thrilled that throughout the planning and the wedding I really feel like both the photographer and planner are true friends. On the actual wedding it was great to see the dance floor packed and people inhale their appetizers and dinner – so clearly a major applause must go to the entertainment (strings, band and DJ) along with the catering team. What left me the most speechless were our florals, they are absolutely breathtaking and completely magical. David is most excited about seeing our wedding video, and we have loved getting to know our videographer Dave Etheridge throughout the past year as well. We’ve been so lucky with our vendors!” — Jordan Scher Merkow
Wedding Planning & Event Design | Duncan Reyes along with his Wedding Associates Halina Brown, Heather Vaughan and Tam Garner – F. Duncan Reyes Events By Design
Bridesmaids’ Dresses | Monique Lhuillier
Cake | Gabrielle Feuersinger – Cake Coquette
Cake Pops | Lauren Martin – Sweet Lauren Cakes
Catering | Jane Hammond, Ceanna Stephens, Naomi Ages – Jane Hammond Events
Choreography | Cynthia Glinka
Shriver Chair Rentals | Beverly Yip – Especially Yours Chair Covers & Rentals
Entertainment (12-Piece Band) | Dick Bright – Dick Bright & His Orchestra
Entertainment (DJ) | Jason Mitchell – Gatsby Entertainment
Entertainment (String Quartet) | Su Buchignani – Golden Gate String Quartet
Floral Design | Jeeryn Dang – Tanjeeryn Designs
Hair & Make-Up | Sherrie Long
Honeymoon Travel Agency | Amy Tam – Planet Hoppers
Hotel Accommodations (Wedding) | Stephanie Otter – The Fairmont San Francisco
Hotel Accommodations (Honeymoon) | The Resort at Pedregal
Jewelry (Engagement & Wedding) | Douglas Jeweler
Jewelry (Bride’s) | Family Heirlooms
Ketubah | Alexandra Mink
Lighting Design & Drapery | Michael Kuhlmann – Got Light?
Men’s Grooming Services | Julie Moore
Officiant | Carolyn Sorensen Balling (Aunt of the Bride)
Photography | Clane Gessel, Alex Lexson, Danielle Barnum and Marie Normandin – Clane Gessel Photography
Post-Wedding Brunch | Stephanie Otter – The Fairmont San Francisco
Specialty Linens & Napkins | Diana Cardenas – Napa Valley Linens
Tablescape Rentals & Specialty Linens | Mindy Roark-Aldridge and Nicole D’Andrea – Classic Party Rentals San Francisco
Transportation (For the Welcome Reception) | Jennifer Jaciw and Aisha Best – Lone Star Transportation
Transportation (For the Wedding Party & Families) | Jeff Thorpe – Classic Cable Car Charters
Transportation (For the Bride & Groom) | Carl Payne – Carl Payne Rolls Royces
Tuxedo Rentals & Sales | Michael Davenport – Black Tie Tuxedos
Tuxedo (Groom’s) | Hugo Boss
Venue (Rehearsal Dinner) | Casey Hunt – Waterbar
Venue (Wedding Ceremony, Cocktail Reception and Dinner/Dance) | Jim Bruels and Diane Lo – The Bently Reserve
Videography | David Ethridge, Jim Snow, Phil Sheffield and Noah Clark – AVR Films
Wedding Invitations | Paper on Pine
Wedding “Day Of” Stationeries | Mercurio Brothers Printing
Wedding Gown Design & Veil | Mark Zunino
Wedding Shoes (Bride) | Manolo Blanik
Wedding Website | Riley and Grey
To Jordan & David,
“So many paths to choose from — yet a moment here, a different turn there, and you may never have met to experience a love so right! Isn’t it amazing the way life works? Here’s wishing each new day finds your hearts closer, your lives fuller, your love deeper. May your love bloom brighter and your companionship grow sweeter with each passing year. To a beautiful life together!”
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