Rachel Duitch and Jon Aronson got more than they bargained for when they attended a Dallas networking event for young Jewish adults. Fresh off a move from Los Angeles, Jon was in the market for new friends. But when he spotted Rachel across the room, sparks flew.
“I remember being immediately captured by her smile and that outfit,” he says. “She was easily the best dressed of the night.”
Rachel was equally taken.
“I wasn’t expecting to find a hot new Jewish guy in Dallas, so Jon was a great surprise,” she says. “We hit it off right away.”
Rachel gave Jon her card and the two stayed in touch. Two-and-a-half years later, they began dating — and they’ve been inseparable ever since.
In April 2016, Jon proposed on the roof of the couple’s townhouse with a gesture that would make even the biggest rom-com fan weep.
“I came home from work, and he had rose petals and framed photos of the two of us throughout our relationship hanging on the walls, all the way up the three stories leading to the roof,” Rachel recalls.
Jon and the couple’s dog were waiting on the rooftop with a bottle of Dom Perignon, engraved champagne glasses, and “a zillion” roses. It was picture perfect, and Rachel didn’t hesitate to say yes.
She also didn’t waste time getting started planning. With help from Kristin Butler with Fabulous Fête, and with Rachel’s heart set on a spring wedding, the couple secured The Joule hotel for May 28, 2017.
With much of the guest list traveling in from out of town, a hotel made sense. And, because she wanted to provide attendees with an iconic Dallas experience, Rachel was attracted to the downtown location.
The hotel’s rooftop terrace — clearly the couple has a thing for roofs — also checked the couple's aesthetic boxes.
“The rooftop terrace is bright and beautiful,” says Rachel. “The natural light that pours in was exactly what we were hoping for. I had dreams of coming up in that glass elevator leading up to the big day.”
Arrangements from Branching Out featuring the bride’s favorite flower, peonies, filled the space. Like so many of the wedding day details, the flowers held sentimental value, as they were a nod to Rachel’s mother and grandmother.
The bride wore a Martina Liana gown, and her veil was her "something borrowed," passed down by her best friend, who was married a year earlier.
Once the glass was broken — a tradition in Jewish weddings — guests convened for a fun-filled reception featuring music from Limelight Band, a champagne tower, and cotton candy courtesy of the Cottonsmith.
“Nick and Sam's is one of our favorite restaurants, so re-creating the glowing cotton candy was a priority,” says Rachel. “We loved the unique flavors that the Cottonsmith offered and went with champagne and raspberry rose.”
Ceremony and Reception: The Joule
Wedding Planner: Kristin Butler, Fabulous Fête
Floral Design and Dance Floor: Branching Out Events
Photographer: Carter Rose, F8 Studio
Videographer: Jason Traub, Elixir Entertainment
Rentals: Bella Acento
Ketubah: Ketubah.com
Invitations and Paper Products: Cindy Spechler, Invitation Company
Cake: Panini Bakery
Cotton Candy: The Cotton Smith
Band: Limelight Band
Bridal Gown Retailer: Patsy's Bridal
Bridal Gown Designer: Martina Liana
Bridal Gown Alterations: Bestfit Alterations
Groom's Formalwear: Q Clothier
Bridesmaid Dress Designer: Hayley Paige
Makeup: Maggie Remer
Photo Booth: Flock Together Fotobooth
Ceremony Music: Serenata Strings
Jon and Rachel Aronson were married on May 28, 2017 at The Joule hotel.
