July 7, 2018 | Sara Drew Photography
Jaclyn & Rob
The Meet Cute: It all started when Rob wrote his very first online dating message to his
dream girl. “It was lengthy, he clearly put a lot of effort into it, and he asked me out all
in one go,” Jaclyn recalls. “I was exhausted with online dating and thought it was weird
that he didn’t want to chat first to see if a date was worth it.” So, she ignored him. Luckily,
Rob’s friend advised that he may have come on a llittle too strong and encouraged him
to try again. Jaclyn responded this time, and the two met at the Mews in Wakefield. Less
than a year later, they were head over heels and moving into a little old beach shack.
The Engagement: Three years into the relationship, Rob asked Jaclyn to meet him after
work for an evening walk along East Matunuck Beach, right by the little shack they used
to rent. “I walked out onto the foggy beach and found him in a white tux with a bouquet
of flowers,” Jaclyn recalls. “I was lost for words — not a common occurrence — while he
got down on one knee.”
The Setting: As the owners of the Hard-Pressed Cider Company, the couple always dreamed
of setting up their own orchard. Shortly after their engagement, Rob’s family friend asked if
they’d be interested in buying his farmhouse property and suddenly their dream was within
reach. “Right after we looked at the farm, my grandmother made the connection that my
great-great-great grandfather originally owned the land and built the house!” Jaclyn says.
It was clearly meant to be. “Meanwhile, we were looking for a wedding venue on a tight
budget,” Rob says. They explored a few different options, but both had the not-yet-theirs
farm in the back of their minds. “We were relieved to find we’d been thinking the same thing,”
Jaclyn says. “But we knew it was going to need some serious work to get it ‘wedding ready.’”
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The Prep: “It was the epitome of a DIY wedding. It was the hardest I have ever
worked and the most stressed I have ever been,” admits Jaclyn, “but it was also the
most rewarding thing I have ever done.” She and Rob, who also owns New England
Portable Sawmilling, were able to cut and make a number of the details, including
the benches, tables, bar and signage (later painted by the talented MOH). “We also
called in a lifetime supply of favors,” Jaclyn points out. “We had family and friends
show up every weekend in the months leading up to the wedding to help us with
everything. We could not have done it without them!”
The Bar: Being a professional cider-maker and avid homebrewer, Rob was game to
make an epic tap wall from the beginning. Altogether, the reception featured twelve
taps consisting of six different beers, two types of hard cider, a full keg of margarita
(to complement the reception’s taco bar) and three non-alcoholic options, including
an Elderflower Spritzer made from homegrown elderflowers.
The Highlights: “Reading my vows to Jaclyn was my favorite moment. That’s the
whole point of it!” — Rob
“I got unexpectedly emotional while walking down the aisle towards Rob and then
again while reading my vows to him. It was really special to share with our family and
friends all of the reasons we were choosing to spend the rest of our lives together,
and to also recognize the things that we need to continue to work on throughout
our marriage.” — Jaclyn