Julie Elizabeth Meyers & Jason Andrew Shanker
Julie Elizabeth Meyers and Jason Andrew Shanker first said “I do” during the Sadie Hawkins dance at Camp Sabra in Rocky Mount, Mo., when Julie was 12 and Jason was 14. Unfortunately, as young love can be unpredictable, they went their separate ways after camp was over. But as fate would have it, the two reunited in their late teen years back at Camp Sabra, this time as camp counselors.
The two were engaged on a hot and humid July evening in Jason’s college town of Lawrence, Kan., over a picnic of their favorite takeout food. After the proposal, Jason had yet another surprise for Julie – her parents came down from St. Louis for a celebratory dinner at The Capital Grille.
The couple’s wedding and reception took place at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis, where the bride wore her grandmother’s wedding band and brooch. As a nod to the story of how they met, a subtle summer camp theme was echoed throughout the weekend. Each out-of-town guest was welcomed with a camp care package; camp favorite icy pops were handed out after the Havanagelah, and for the late-night snack at the reception, pizza bagels and S’mores were passed by servers wearing Camp Sabra shirts, custom-made in the wedding’s yellow and gray theme. As a very personal touch, Julie’s mother collected sticks from Julie’s childhood home, which were used to bind each of the wedding programs and escort cards.
“Jason and I loved dancing all night with all of our friends and family,” says Julie. “We had the most amazing night of our lives.”
The newlyweds honeymooned in Antigua and St. Lucia, somehow finding time to relax between snorkeling, zip-lining, exploring waterfalls, visiting a sulphur spring, and taking a helicopter tour. Jason works as an emergency medicine physician at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, Va., and Julie is an attorney for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Va. The couple resides in Arlington.
THE DATE
October 20, 2012
BRIDE’S PARENTS
Mark & Judy Meyers of Chesterfield
GROOM’S PARENTS
Stuart & Marcia Shanker of Overland Park, Kan.
BRIDE’S GRANDPARENTS
The late Daniel & Esther Sabin of St. Louis
The late Ray & Min Meyers of St. Louis
GROOM’S GRANDPARENTS
Isadore & LaVerne Newman of Leawood, Kan.
The late Simon & Francis Shanker of St. Louis
CEREMONY AND RECEPTION
The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis
OFFICIANT
Rabbi Amy Feder
WEDDING PLANNER
Simcha Lourie, Simcha’s Events
WEDDING DRESS
Vera Wang
FLORIST
Festive Atmospheres
CAKE
Sugaree Baking Company
BAND
Griffin and the Gargoyles
PHOTOGRAPHER
Steven Seebeck
BRIDESMAIDS’ DRESSES
Jenny Yoo
MAID/MATRON OF HONOR
Jamie Meyers and Morgan Meyers
BEST MAN
Scott Shanker
BRIDESMAIDS
Amy Shanker, Jill Shanker, Lauren Rubin, Amanda Mor, Melissa Gale, Stacy Schultz and Dana Roth
GROOMSMEN
Matthew Meyers, Brian Nochlin, Patrick Roberts and Mark Ravis
FLOWER GIRLS
Lila Meyers and Sydney Shanker
RING BEARER
Greyson Meyers and Jack Shanker