Weddings, Jersey style: A fresh start for former high school sweethearts

Kari Silvers and Elliot Vazquez first met as sophomores at Millville Senior High School. Only fifteen, they became friends, went to homecoming together — and even shared what was, for each, a first kiss.

But the path from that embrace to their wedding on Oct. 23 was a long and winding one.

After high school, although they stopped dating, Silvers and Vazquez remained friends; they ran into each other from time to time. Silvers married and had twin daughters. In 2009, Silvers was again single, and thanks to social media, she reconnected with her old high school friend, Vazquez.

"I was dealing with a lot and transitioning into a new life for myself and my twin girls. I needed support and I got it from an amazing group of friends," said Silvers.

Vazquez and Silvers began hanging out in groups, but soon began spending more time together on their own. "He was always willing to help me in any way," said Silvers, who works Vineland Board of Education as an aide to a special-needs student. "He was so good to my girls and gave me the strength and support I needed in a time I felt really overwhelmed."

It was "impossible not to completely fall in love" with him, she said.

"I knew he was the one for me when he came into the lives of my twin daughters and loved them and took care of them like they were his children," said Silvers.

Vazquez, it seems, always knew they would reunite. He cites their first kiss as the moment things were destined to happen for the couple.

"Kari and I have known each other since high school and even then, we shared a special friendship. I think that was key," said Vazquez, who works as a logistics operation analyst.

Their rekindled love brought a son, Liam (now four years old) into the family — and finally, the couple decided to walk down the aisle.

The wedding date

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Vazquez's proposal to Silvers was so unexpected she thought he was joking.

"[He proposed] over dinner with our children, at home, with an onion ring," said Silvers. "It was so funny, I thought he was kidding."

But one week later, Vazquez proposed seriously, if without fanfare; he presented Silvers a ring while the couple was on vacation in Ocean City.

Wedding experts say they have witnessed a spike in weekday celebrations, which can cut per-plate venue costs by as much as 30 percent

"I was folding sheets when Elliot nervously walked in and said, 'Um, I have this for you.' And he handed me a box with my engagement ring it."

The couple chose October 23 as their wedding date.

"We had our heart set on that month," said Silvers. "The date was picked by what the venue had available."

The venue

The couple chose Rode's Barn, in Swedesboro as the site for their wedding.

"I knew I wanted something outside of the typical wedding venue," said Silvers. "They were the first venue I visited and the last. I knew I wanted to get married there."

Silvers cited the barn's rustic and nostalgic feel for choosing the venue. "It's been around since the '40s and you can really feel that when you're inside. The old weathered barn wood, the beautiful beams going across the ceiling and the big open barn door... just drew me right in."

What They Splurged on

With three children and over 100 guests, the couple tried their best to keep everything as cost effective as possible.

"We honestly didn't splurge on anything. The biggest expense was what we paid for the venue, catering and bar," said Silvers.

Where Did They Save

Silvers looked to Lady Luck to help cut a few costs for the the wedding.

"I entered so many contests to try and help cut cost," said Silvers. "I entered a Facebook contest to win a photographer, and actually won." The winnings helped save the couple $1600.

How they made their wedding special

The reception was a casual, family-style affair. There was no seating chart; guests sat where they wanted. Comfort food classics like fried chicken and baked mac and cheese filled the menu; there was also a barbeque-style slider bar. In lieu of a traditional wedding cake, guests chose from a selection of desserts.

Silvers and Vazquez couple also decided to surprise each other with their choices of music for the ceremony and the reception.

Vazquez picked the song for the first dance ("I Don't Dance" by Lee Brice) while Silvers picked the song to to walk down the aisle to ("At Last" by Etta James).

Most memorable moments

The couple cite a number of emotional moments as the highlights of the day. Speeches from the Silver's cousin Paula Ferrari, and her best friend, Jessica Moore, moved the bride to both uncontrollable tears and hysterical laughter. And "my groomsman David Galafa gave a speech that really moved me. It put into perspective how far we have come," said Vazquez.

But for both the bride and groom, the most moving moments involved their whole family. Vazquez recalled their unity ceremony as a highlight.

"Instead of sand or a candle, we put together a puzzle with all of our names on it," he explained.

And Silvers said one of her daughters reacted in a way she had not envisioned, but which moved her profoundly.

"My daughter Ava cried — sobbed actually — throughout the entire ceremony." said Silvers. "When I asked her why the next day, she said because she was just so happy, all she could do was cry."

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