6 minute read
Spotlight
SARAH SHEMORY & SAM ZIMMER
WEDDING DAY OCT. 17, 2020 AT HOME IN SOUTH EUCLID TODAY AGES: 33 AND 37 HOMETOWN: SOUTH EUCLID SYNAGOGUE: TEMPLE ISRAEL NER TAMID
Sam and I (Sarah) met through mutual friends about five years ago but never connected romantically.
DO YOU HAVE ANY INTERESTING STORIES ABOUT GETTING TO KNOW ONE ANOTHER?
We both ended serious relationships at the end of 2018 and reconnected early in 2019 because Sam “slid into my DMs” on Instagram. He relentlessly commented on my photos and stories for six weeks before I understood that he was flirting!
He finally asked me out and on our first date, that night I knew he was the one. I called my mom and best friend on the way home from the date and I told them that I was marrying him. The rest is history.
HOW LONG DID YOU KNOW EACH OTHER BEFORE YOU GOT MARRIED?
We went on our first date March 20, 2019, but knew each other socially for about five years. From our first date it was a whirlwind. Dating, to engagement, to marriage and now pregnant with our first baby due in August 2021. We’re having the best time growing with each other and adding to our family. Sam and I felt a deep, serious connection the second we decided to cross over from friend territory to dating. It’s all been very fast, but very fun and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
We dated a little over one year before he proposed. Sam popped the question in our pajamas on Saturday, May 9, 2020 in our living room. I was totally shocked. I knew it was happening soon, but never expected to be in my pajamas! We called just our immediate family and best friends then stayed up the whole night laughing.
The next day, Mother’s Day, we got to see my nana who had gotten very sick, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our family made the decision to move her home with my uncles. We got to share our joy with her before she sadly passed away two days later. After her passing, we decided that there was no day but today to celebrate and decided on a wedding date a few short months away.
WHEN DID YOU KNOW YOU WANTED TO MARRY YOUR PARTNER?
Sarah: I knew the second I went on our first date. We went to Batuqui on Larchmere and he just felt like my person. I never wanted the date to end and I never wanted to not be around him. Sam is the most gentle, kind, compassionate and funny person I’ve ever met. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world, seriously.
Sam: It took me a little longer than Sarah, but I knew from date one that she could potentially be my person. What started as a fun first date blossomed into something bigger than I could of ever imagined.
WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF WEDDING PLANNING?
That our whole family could be involved. The whole event was super collaborative and inclusive. Since our wedding was just our immediate family we wanted to make it special for everyone.
HOW DID THE PANDEMIC AFFECT YOUR WEDDING PLAN AND WEDDING DAY?
Because of COVID-19, our guest list was small but mighty (nine of us total). On Oct. 17, 2020, we tied the knot in our living room, the exact place we got engaged five months prior. Our brothers were our best man and man of honor. I got ready with my mom and mother-in-law at our house and we met the rest of the family at the Cleveland Museum of Art for first look and family portraits. We lucked out with the most beautiful fall day. We had a traditional Jewish wedding officiated by the rabbi who I (Sarah) was bat mitzvahed by. Following the wedding, we toasted champagne and had a few nibbles before going to our favorite restaurant, Giovanni’s Ristorante, for an Italian feast. Even though COVID-19 kept our wedding small, the love was boundless and the laughs overflowing. Our day turned out absolutely perfect.
WAS THERE ANY SPOT-ON ADVICE YOU RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE BIG DAY?
The best advice we got was to not forget that the big day is just a day to celebrate, but a marriage lasts forever. Don’t get lost in the details and the planning, it’s not what’s important. Check in with each other through the process and enjoy it. It’s just one small moment in your lives together.
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?
Not at all. We’ve become like one family – we call ourselves the Shimmers! We feel so lucky to all love each other.
WHAT WAS THE MOST FUN OR INTERESTING JEWISH ASPECT OF YOUR WEDDING/PARTNERSHIP?
Sam and I had so much fun coming back to our Jewish roots as a couple. We especially loved making a date night out of the car Shabbat services this summer and fall. At our wedding, we incorporated elements from our grandparents (kiddush cup, yarmulke, tallis, jewelry).
PLANNING
O ciant: Rabbi Matthew Eisenberg Wedding colors: Bright and tropical Dress: Mikaella from Luxe Redux Bridal Wedding rings: Robert & Gabriel Jewelers Jewelry: Earrings borrowed from Sarah’s mother-in-law, a ring from her nana Veil: Sara Gabriel from Luxe Redux Bridal Hair: Jennifer French at Andrews Colour Atelier Makeup: Jessica Miller at Andrews Colour Atelier Groom’s formalwear: J. Crew Bouquet, owers and chupah: Stems Fleur Ketubah: From our rabbi Photographer: One Red Door Photography, Melissa Lopez Reception site: Giovanni’s Ristorante in Beachwood Catering: We had a cocktail party at our house following the ceremony before dinner, catered by Gigi’s on Fairmount in Cleveland Heights Rehearsal dinner: The whole family (minus our dads) went to get nails done at Manifest followed by all of us having cocktails and pizza at Garden City, both in Shaker Heights Invitations/Stationery: Our friends made our invitations, Jackie Spoth and Meggie Hill Registries: Crate & Barrel, West Elm, Bed Bath & Beyond Honeymoon: Charleston and Kiawah Island, S.C.
A unique and memorable venue • Professional event planning services • Upgrade to include animal encounters Modern, upscale catering - Kosher catering available upon request Beautiful locations throughout the Zoo for photos • Patio available for desserts
