It’s a Match Made in Hogwarts for Newlyweds Jesse and Jessica
Usually, we tell a tale of a bride infatuated with the series who falls in love with a soon-to-be groom in desperate need of an initiation to the wizarding world. This is not one of those times. Jessica grew up with the novels and culminated her experience with the infamous lines for the Deathly Hallows films. Jesse, meanwhile, had a preference for the audiobooks and was making his way through the Order of the Phoenix when his cousin decided to play matchmaker. Why not introduce him to a fellow Potterhead she had known? It was an excellent decision.
What followed was a Potter-filled devotion complete with matching Ravenclaw uniforms, cats named Bellatrix and Narcissa, and even a dog named Regulus. In May of 2013, during a visit with family at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jesse guided Jessica to the backdrop of Hagrid’s hut and asked the big question.
They would both work tirelessly planning and budgeting the wedding for the next two years until finally the moment arrived. As the ceremony began, the bridesmaids made their way down to the sound of Beauxbatons’s ethereal entrance music in Goblet of Fire. Similarly, the groomsmen crushed it to Durmstrang’s formidable tune. And Jessica? She wore a gray gown with navy blue accents and a Rowena Ravenclaw-inspired diadem. The bouquet was fittingly fashioned out of a copy of Order of the Phoenix. Flanked by her parents, she glided to Harry’s “Wondrous World,” all the while forgetting her vows. Yet she managed to wing it with only the occasional modification. As for the officiant, according to Jessica,
We found an AMAZING officiant named Scott DeMarco who wrote us a truly magical ceremony that was focused around the world of Harry Potter but also included some nods to another shared love of ours: Doctor Who. In fact, we got married on Amy and Rory’s 5th anniversary and made sure to end our vows with ‘Together, or not at all’.
The couples exited to the sounds of Quidditch World Cup fanfare and made their way to the reception, affectionately dubbed the “Weasley stomp.” The butterbeer flowed (simple cream soda and butterscotch schnapps) alongside a pumpkin cake topped with a Golden Snitch. Those who wanted to grab some grub could retreat to the themed tables. The Gryffindor table was comprised of faux-gilded mythological statues, Hufflepuff’s bore strange plants, Ravenclaw’s was adorned with books and bird cages, and Slytherin’s would not be complete without potion bottles.
The magic continued through the themed dance floor with the help of suspended floating candles. Naturally, “Dark Lord Funk” was a popular request. At one point, a Quaffle from the Gryffindor table made its way out to become the belle of the ball. Even as the party wound down, there was another bit of magic just around the corner. The next morning, Jesse and Jessica departed for the very special theme park that was at the core of it all.
Congratulations, Jesse and Jessica! Be sure to pick up some tips from their Q&A below. If you have an event that you would like shared with the fandom, then be sure to get in touch with us. We would love to hear your story.
