Spotlight

TARYN WEISS & BOBBY DERIN

WEDDING DAY FEB. 9, 2020 DREAMS TULUM RESORT & SPA | TULUM, MEXICO TODAY AGES: 29 AND 34 HOMETOWN: SOLON SYNAGOGUE: TEMPLE ISRAEL NER TAMID

We originally met on JSwipe. We went on a few dates, but then slowly parted ways. We lived in apartment complexes next door to each other and about a year later our paths crossed again. The rest is history.

DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORIES ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER?

Early into our relationship we spent a weekend together in Miami, Fla. One morning I (Taryn) told Bobby I made brunch reservations, but when we got to our destination there was no restaurant in sight. Instead, I planned a parasailing excursion and, in the moment, Bobby happily took part. I have since learned that not only is Bobby afraid of heights, but he is also extremely motivated by food and I took away the prospects of food and replaced it with his greatest fear. But rather than refuse to participate, Bobby enthusiastically took part, and I’m glad he did because it was while we were parasailing that I realized that I loved him.

HOW LONG DID YOU KNOW EACH OTHER BEFORE YOU GOT MARRIED?

Just over three years.

WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO MARRY YOUR PARTNER?

Bobby: Soon after Taryn and I started “talking” I went to Miami, Fla., for the winter. I wasn’t ready to make any commitments before I left, and Taryn never pressured me to make things official either. However, while we were apart, we talked on the phone every night, texted all day and I looked forward to Taryn’s next visit to Miami. What they say is true, distance does make the heart grow fonder, and before that winter was over, I knew I wanted to marry Taryn. Taryn: I knew I wanted to marry Bobby after our trip to Napa, Calif. After spending six days together nonstop, I came home, dropped my bag off and rather than want to spend time alone to relax, I just wanted to spend more time with Bobby. I knew then that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.

WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF WEDDING PLANNING?

The best part of wedding planning was traveling to Mexico to tour venues.

YOUR WEDDING DAY JUST ESCAPED THE PANDEMIC. YOU DIDN’T EXPERIENCE ANY IMPACT OF COVID-19 WITH YOUR PLANNING, DID YOU?

We were very lucky in that the pandemic did not affect our wedding day at all.

WAS THERE ANY SPOT-ON ADVICE YOU RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE BIG DAY?

During one of our meetings with the rabbi prior to our wedding, he gave us the advice that you should start and end each day with a kiss and an “I love you!” Even through this crazy first year of marriage, we have followed this advice daily.

WERE THERE ANY CONFLICTS BETWEEN THE TWO OF YOU OR YOUR FAMILIES IN THE PLANNING PROCESS? DID EITHER OF YOU HAVE TO MAKE ANY SACRIFICES?

Honestly, there were no conflicts between the two of us or our families. In fact, our parents possibly got along too well. The four of them traveled to Mexico twice without us to continue the wedding planning. (Our PTO prevented us from going with them.) The one downside of having a destination wedding is that we had to make sacrifices when it came to the guest list.

WHAT WAS THE MOST FUN OR INTERESTING JEWISH ASPECT OF YOUR WEDDING/PARTNERSHIP?

It was important to us that even though we had a destination wedding in Mexico, that we still had a Jewish wedding complete with our rabbi, a ketubah signing and “Hava Nagila.” Perhaps the most special Jewish aspect of our wedding is that Taryn’s grandma baked, traveled and made it through customs with a challah that we cut during our reception.

PLANNING

O ciant: Rabbi Matthew Eisenberg Wedding colors: Blush and navy Dress: Landry by Enzoani Wedding rings: Groom’s ring is from Ark Jewelers; Bride’s ring is from Albert’s Fine Jewelers, Inc. Jewelry: Great-grandmother’s bracelet Veil: Sister’s veil that she wore at her wedding 10 years ago Shoes: Klub Niko ‘Moxie’ from Nordstrom Hair and makeup: Dreams Tulum Spa Bridesmaids dresses: Amsale and Jenny Yoo from Bella Bridesmaids Groom’s formalwear: Jos. A. Bank Groomsmen: Jos. A. Bank Bouquet, owers and chupah: Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa Ketubah: Ketubah.com Photographer and videographer: Wed Life Media, a destination wedding photographer Planner/consultant: Victoria Arista of Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa Reception and catering: Dreams Garden at Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa Cake/sweets: Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa Rehearsal dinner: All white party at the Dreams Tulum Beach Invitations/Stationery: Noteriety Invitations Music/entertainment: The Imperial Band of Cancun, Mexico Rentals and accommodations: Dreams Tulum Resort and Spa Registries: Amazon, Crate & Barrel, Bed Bath & Beyond Honeymoon: London and Paris Extras: A Weiss family tradition is to end every event with Krispy Kreme Doughnuts. Our parents made sure that Krispy Kreme Donuts made it to our wedding too!

“We are still extremely humbled by the fact that our friends and family traveled from all over the world to celebrate with us in Tulum, Mexico. With the way the world changed just over a month after our wedding, we are more grateful every day that we had this experience and don’t take it for granted. Our hearts go out to all of the brides, grooms and families that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.” -Taryn & Bobby