Exclusive: Go Inside Content Creator Julia McGuire's Two Part Wedding, Including an Intimate Garden Ceremony and Warehouse-Style Post-Nuptial Party
When Julia McGuire, a content creator, model, and the founder of JL27, matched with Jackie Lankelis on Hinge in September of 2022, it took them nearly two months to schedule a date. In retrospect, though, they wouldn't change a thing. They spent that time chatting via text, which meant that when they did meet at New York City's Forsythia in November, it was anything but a typical first date—for more reasons than one. "Though it may not be for everyone, we found it to be the perfect way to start our relationship, since our first date was all about our connection and less about the typical 'first date questions,'" Julia, a Winter House alum, says. "Jackie unknowingly booked a five course tasting menu but it ended up being such a great first date that we had our second two days later. After that we were inseparable."
The pair, who also share a joint lifestyle Instagram account aptly named @jackiexjulia, got engaged on July 21, 2024, when Jackie popped the question on Julia's grandfather's dock in Brielle, New Jersey. "Jackie knew that was where he was going to propose in February 2023, the first time I brought him to see it," Julia notes. "He could tell how much it meant to me, and it was perfect."
Just under a year later, on June 20, 2025, Jackie and Julia were married at the bride's aunt and uncle's home in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, in an intimate garden ceremony attended by family members and their closest friends. The next night, they were joined by over 200 loved ones at New York City's Studio 525, where the newlyweds hosted a Fashion Week-style warehouse party designed by the team at Birch Event Design. "We knew we wanted an intimate ceremony but also didn't want to miss out on partying with our favorite people, so separating the days and creating two entirely different wedding events was the goal," Julia says. "We wanted the party to have an energy and vibe unlike any traditional wedding."
With planning help from Katherine Gray at Michelle Rago Destinations, the couple orchestrated a multi-day wedding celebration that allowed them to tie the knot their own way. Here, see all the photos from their family-centric ceremony and wedding dinner and their post-nuptial party, as documented by Zai Laffitte.
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For Julia, the hardest part of wedding planning was choosing her bridal fashion—and that's saying something, considering the couple's initial wedding venue in New York City canceled on them just one month before their big day. "I tried on so many before I found my ceremony dress and really almost canceled my last appointment of the day... and what do you know? The first dress I put on was the one," she remembers.
For her outdoor wedding ceremony in her aunt and uncle's backyard, she chose a strapless gown from Dany Tabet, which she purchased at Lovely Bride. "I tried on so many dresses and nothing was giving me the overwhelming feeling," the bride remembers. "The second I put this one on, I finally felt it and smiled ear to ear! I only took my mom dress shopping which helped me focus on my feeling and when I put this on, we both knew it." She accessorized with a veil from the same designer. Family jewelry from her grandmothers and from Jackie's mom were perfect finishing touches.
Julia also carried a bouquet comprised of ivory calla lillies, green amaranthus, textural pon pon ranunculus, and poppy seed pods.
Her hairstylist pulled the bride's hair back into a low, loose bun, an unfussy style she intentionally chose because it would last throughout the night without touchups. For her makeup, she asked for a "natural but enhanced" beauty look: "I wanted to feel glowy with soft pinks while still feeling like myself, just with a few more lashes and a simple undone updo."
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The couple chose not to have a first look ahead of their ceremony, but Julia shared a special moment with her dad before walking down the aisle.
Jackie wore a classic black tuxedo for their Friday evening ceremony, which he finished with Tiffany cufflinks from his parents.
"Our Friday ceremony and garden dinner party felt the easiest to plan because it was important to us to feel like a simple family gathering," Julia says. "No fuss, just us." The ceremony took place in the bride's aunt and uncle's backyard, which the bride and groom say allowed them to remain present and focused on the time they had with their families.
Natural wood crossback chairs were arranged on the lawn. At the end of the aisle, Whimsy Flowers created a half-circle meadow of white delphinium and greenery.
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The couple opted to write their own vows, which proved to be an emotional experience for everyone involved. At one point during the ceremony, Jackie's niece came to his rescue with a handkerchief. "We all laughed and took in the moment," Julia remembers.
Since the couple chose not to have a first look, they snuck away from cocktail hour to capture a few newlywed portraits around the property.
Food was a major focus of the Friday evening celebration. Julia and Jackie worked with Max Hansen Catering and Gary Farrell Winery to create a family-style dinner with a perfect selection of wine pairings. Before guests could dig into that meal, however, they were treated to a variety of passed appetizers and a signature drink named "The Garden Glow," a mix of Dano's Pineapple Jalapeńo Tequila, cucumber, basil, and lime. A selection of other spirits, beers, and wines were also on offer.
Two long tables, which were topped with green and white patterned linens from Julia Amory, were arranged on a patio for guests. Simple centerpieces of green and white flowers helped further evoke the evening's garden them.
For dinner, guests enjoyed a multi-course meal including dishes like a summer salad, filet mignon, and handmade gnocchi. "Sitting around for a family style dinner during golden hour was simply perfect," the bride remembers. "A few people gave speeches and it just felt very calm."
An acoustic musician performed throughout the evening.
Julia slipped away to change into a two-piece set from Julia Amory, which she knew would be comfortable to wear throughout the evening and on the party bus ride back to the city at the end of the night.
The couple cut into a single-tier wedding cake decorated with fresh flowers baked by From Lucie. Guests enjoyed butterscotch pudding and chocolate espresso mousse cups for dessert.
The couple and their guets boarded a party bus back to New York City, where the revelry picked up on Saturday. Planning their next-day event was the more challenging of the two, the couple explains. "Funny enough, our Saturday reception space wasn't actually our original venue. We had our first venue cancel on us with less than two months to the big day, but in good New York fashion, a connection led us to this beyond incredible gallery," Julia says. "For any future couples reading, don't worry: It all works out even better in the end, even if it doesn't go as planned!"
For their warehouse-style party, Julia chose a two-toned strapless gown from Shehzarin Batha, which featured a black bodice and a layered skirt. Her hair was styled in a more dramatic updo for the second event.
Jackie worked with Proper Cloth on two custom tuxedos for the Saturday party. He kicked things off in a white dinner jacket, black tuxedo pants, and Stubbs and Wooten "Party" slippers.
Since the couple was already married by the time the Saturday party came around, they chose to have a first look before the celebration.
They also took advantage of the New York City backdrop to pose for photos around town before heading over to their venue in Chelsea.
The bride and groom worked with Birch Event Design on their Fashion Week warehouse-style reception. As soon as they made the decision to host two separate events, Julia had a vision for what she wanted the warehouse party to look like. "Our videographer created a video from the Friday ceremony to be played for guests on the wall of the Saturday party," the bride explains. "This was our vision from the beginning: We wanted to make Saturday more of a celebration but still show a tiny glimpse of our small wedding from the day before."
Ornate draping, including on the bar and on food tables, helped transform the space from an empty venue into something entirely unique. The DJ booth was situated above the bar, creating a focal point in the room. "It wasn't a traditional wedding reception or venue, so we had to bring in everything on our own," Jackie explains, noting that this proved to be one of the most challenging parts of wedding planning. "Julia's vision was to highlight some of our New York City favorites and create a true New York Fashion Week-style party, which was challenging at times, but it was epic!"
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"We were ready to change the wedding game and give our friends what they really want…a huge party to celebrate," Julia says of their decision to host the warehouse-style reception. To that end, creating a party-ready atmosphere was key. They hired DJ Mark Wolf to perform throughout the evening and centered the evening's design around the statement-making draped bar. They also had a dedicated espresso martini bar.
"It felt like a perfectly curated lounge with our favorite people to dance and celebrate the night away," Julia remembers. "Our elevated DJ booth created the perfect wow factor to the space."
Since they opted against having a sit down dinner, speeches, or other traditional wedding reception mainstays, Julia and Jackie brought in interactive popups that guests could experience throughout the night when they needed a break from dancing. A fashion illustrator drew pictures of guests, attendees could pose for snaps in the photo booth, or loved ones could saddle up to a permanent jewelry bar for a new accessory.
Julia and Jackie used their reception as an opportunity to highlight their favorite New York City restaurants. They worked with Alchemiq Catering and Bar, Gotham Burger Social Club, Sushi by Bou, Made in New York Pizza, and Red Oyster to create food and drink offerings for guests to enjoy throughout the night.
For dessert, a selection of single-bite sweets were on offer at a self-serve treat wall.
Mid-way through the party, Julia changed into a slinky halter gown from Wona Bridal NYC.
Towards the end of the night, Jackie traded his white dinner jacket for a black tuxedo jacket. Julia took that as an opportunity to have one more dress change, this time opting into a blue mini from River & Rose Design Studio. They also enjoyed late-night pizza with guests who weren't ready to quit partying just yet.
The couple, who is currently honeymooning in Italy and Paris, remind future brides and grooms to remember what this process is all about. "It's cliche but be sure to stop, breathe, and take in the planning process. You'll inevitably have a few stressful moments, so it's important to remember you're on the same team," they say. "Most importantly: Enjoy the ride! It's about celebrating the decision you've made to start a new life together!"Wedding Photographer Zai Laffitte
Ceremony Venue Private residence
Reception Venue Studio 525
Wedding Planner Katherine Gray of Michelle Rago Destinations
Reception Design Birch Event Design
Bride's Hair Polisa Osipenk (Friday), Bar Wedding Bridal Makeup & Hair (Saturday)
Bride's Makeup Jennet Gurbanoca
Wedding Dress Alterations Alterations Room
Wedding Flowers Whimsy Flower
Music Tim Farrell (Friday), Mark Wolf (Saturday)
Catering Max Hansen (Friday), Alchemiq Catering and Bar, Gotham Burger Social Club, Sushi by Bou, Made in New York Pizza, and Red Oyster (Saturday)
Cake From Lucie
Rentals Adams Party Rental (Friday)
Permanent Jewelry The Bond Society
Photobooth Majestic Photobooth
Illustrator Sketchbook Style
Videographer Clicked by Carly
Content Creator The Harmon EditRelated: Italy's Most Breathtaking Honeymoon Destinations: 10 Must-Visit Spots, According to a Travel Expert
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