Emily Gordon & Jack Biro – 1/18/25 – Historic Dubsdread
- Photography: PB&J Studios
- Flowers: Dream Design Florist
- Music: Soundwave Entertainment
- Cake: Publix
- Hair & Makeup: Laura Reynolds Artistry
- Guest Book: Echo Phone
From a chance meeting at Florida State University to a magical, snow-filled proposal in Central Park, Emily Gordon and Jack Biro’s love story has always felt like a fairytale in the making. When it came time to say “I do,” they chose the romantic backdrop of Historic Dubsdread, where timeless elegance met the warmth of family and friends gathered to celebrate. Their day was filled with heartfelt moments—from a private vow exchange to a lively night of dancing—but it was their intimate last dance, just the two of them in the quiet glow of the ballroom, that became the memory they’ll treasure forever.
Questions answered by: Emily Biro
Love Story & Proposal
How did you two meet?
We met during the beginning of our freshman year, spring semester at Florida State University, at a local bar called Potbelly’s, in Tallahassee. We exchanged phone numbers and had messaged a few times. We continued to bump into each other on campus and through mutual friends, and as we spent more and more time together, we became inseparable.
Tell us about the proposal! Where did it happen and how did it go?
I had never seen snow before, so in January 2024, we took a trip to New York. We ate dinner in the Grand Central Terminal, went ice skating at Rockefeller Center, went to comedy and jazz shows, and finally saw snow. During the second day of our trip, we went for a romantic walk in Central Park through the snow when Jack got down on one knee and proposed in front of Belvedere Castle. It felt like we were the only two people in the world at that moment.
Wedding Planning
What was your overall vision or theme for the wedding?
We wanted our wedding to be classic and timeless, a day we could look back on for the rest of our lives and cherish. We wanted a day to not only celebrate us and our love but also celebrate our families coming together and bringing all our friends to one spot.
What made you choose Historic Dubsdread as your venue?
We hadn’t started planning yet, but after being told about the venue by a family friend, we decided to take a tour to check it out. We immediately fell in love with the rustic yet modern feel of the fireplace in the ballroom and the tree outside we could get married under.
What were your top priorities during the planning process?
During the planning process, we wanted to make sure that our wedding felt like our special day and not let too much stress take away from the commitment we were making and the love we share. We wanted our wedding day to be elegant yet still feel youthful, celebrating with our loved ones. We wanted to make sure there was something for everyone at the celebration, so we prioritized the menu and music during the reception.
Did you work with a planner or coordinate the wedding yourselves?
We worked with our day-of coordinator, David, provided through Dubsdread, who helped us think about both the big and little details of the day. Otherwise, we used vendors we had found online or through the open house held at Historic Dubsdread Ballroom shortly after we booked our wedding date.
How did you stay organized and manage stress during the planning process?
We got engaged on January 19, 2024, and married on January 18, 2025, so a day shy of a year. Being thoughtful about our decisions and staying on track with deadlines helped us not get overwhelmed with the planning process. We were both working during the planning process and had the stress of life and jobs to focus on, so we didn’t want planning our wedding to add any new stress. It’s easy to get caught in a whirlwind, but keeping the focus on getting to marry your best friend at the end helps you get through it all.
Style & Details
Describe your wedding-day look: what you wore and why you chose it.
Growing up, Jack had always seen a painted portrait of his grandma and grandpa on their wedding day, with his grandfather in an ivory tuxedo jacket. He wanted to emulate that picture and wore an ivory tuxedo jacket, black pants, and a black bow tie.
I wore an ivory A-line satin gown from Justin Alexander with dainty diamond jewelry. I wanted a wedding look that was timeless and comfortable. I initially wore a short heel during our first look, but changed into my reception sneakers before the ceremony even began because the back of my heels kept slipping off during pictures. Being comfortable on our wedding day was very important.
How did you choose your wedding colors, florals, and décor?
We wanted to play into how beautiful the venue already was and wanted subtle florals and decorations to highlight this. We went with white roses and baby’s breath for our florals to keep with the elegant black and white color scheme. We had greenery on the arch and the first few rows of chairs during the ceremony to tie in the greenery of the tree behind us. To add a little bit, we had hurricane and tea light candles across each table, along with a dome of baby’s breath and a few roses. We didn’t have too many decorations; we wanted the beautiful chandeliers and fireplace to stand out.
Were there any DIY or personalized elements you included?
I made all our place cards and welcome signs, and hand-embroidered a message on Jack’s pocket square for him to have close to his heart all day.
Did you have a favorite vendor or must-have detail?
Every vendor we worked with to curate our wedding day was patient, helpful, and knowledgeable. The florist met with us on many occasions to make sure our vision came to life. The DJ was thorough in ensuring we had the musical moments we always dreamed of, and our day-of coordinator was at our side throughout the planning process and big day to guarantee a smooth wedding day. The hair and makeup artists listened and executed beyond the bridal party’s and my expectations. The photographers directed us to capture unforgettable moments, but also caught beautiful candid shots as well. Of course, the Publix cake was both beautiful and delicious!
Ceremony & Reception
What was the most memorable moment of the day?
We both agreed that the most memorable moment was our private last dance as our guests waited outside to send us off. It was a beautiful and intimate last moment of the day, looking around the room that held all our friends and families. Being with my new husband was such an indescribable feeling.
Did you have a first look? Why or why not?
We did a first look and private vow reading before our wedding ceremony. There are so many feelings leading up to and on the morning of a wedding day that it felt right to ease the anxieties and take a moment just for ourselves. We had written our own vows, but wanted to share them privately with each other rather than during our wedding ceremony. This gave us a moment to be together and bask in what the day was to bring.
What songs did you choose for your ceremony, first dance, etc.?
Jack walked down to ‘Hogwarts’, a Hymn by Patrick Doyle. We are both fans of Harry Potter and wanted a subtle inclusion in our ceremony. I walked down to ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love (With You)’ by the Brooklyn Duo, a beautiful instrumental rendition of the famous love song. I’ve always been a big Elton John fan and had always dreamt of having ‘Your Song’ as the first dance song at our wedding.
Groom – Hogwarts’ by Patrick Doyle
Bride – Can’t Help Falling In Love by Brooklyn Duo
Recessional – This Will Be by Natalie Cole
Intro Couple into Reception – I’m a Believer by Smash Mouth
First Dance – Your Song by Elton John
Cake Cutting – How Sweet It Is by James Taylor
Bride & Mom Dance – She’s Got a Way by Billy Joel
Groom & Mom Dance – Upside Down by Jack Johnson
Last Dance with Guests – One More Time by Daft Punk
Private Last Dance – Next to Me by Rufus Du Sol
How did you make the reception fun and unique for your guests?
We made sure to include different genres when discussing song choices with our DJ. We wanted there to be a wide range of music selections so that everyone felt like they could get up and dance at least once during the evening while also sticking closely to our music tastes. We also had light-up glow sticks, which were a fun addition to the dance floor. The photo booth, phone voicemail guest book, and snacks available throughout the reception were also nice touches to the evening.
Pro Tips
Do you have a favorite wedding photo? What’s the story behind it?
My favorite wedding photos are from our first look. They capture the excitement and love we felt when we first saw each other that day.
Any advice for couples on working with photographers?
Finding a photographer’s style that you like is very important! These are pictures that will capture your special day, and you want to try your best to pick a photographer who will capture these moments to cherish for a lifetime. It’s also important to meet before the wedding day to discuss expectations of shots you definitely want, inspiration, and the timeline.
Advice & Reflection
What was your favorite part of the entire day?
We have so many parts of the day that we hold so dearly, it’s hard to pick a favorite. My two favorite moments of our wedding day were our private last dance after all the guests, DJ, and photographers left the room, and it was just Jack and I left, and during dinner when we looked out across the ballroom from the sweetheart table and saw each and every person that we loved sitting in one room.
If you could relive one moment, what would it be?
If I could relive one moment from our wedding day, it would be the moment right after our first kiss, when our friend and officiant announced that we were husband and wife for the first time.
Is there anything you would change about your wedding/wedding day?
We wouldn’t change anything about our wedding day. We’ve now been married for over seven months and are happier than ever; we love reminiscing about each moment from our wedding day.
What advice would you give to other couples planning a wedding?
Take every detail and decision little by little, don’t rush to get things done. It will all work out, and the day will be beautiful!
