Real Wedding Wednesdays: Tari Vonville and Kevin Cook

High school sweethearts are rare, but a couple that first meets in grade school? Almost unheard of in this metropolis of 1 million-plus. But Tari and Kevin Cook aren’t like most couples. They fell out of touch after their childhoods, but reconnected when they both started frequenting a local gym.

When the big day came, the Cooks were prepared; they took dance lessons and performed a choreographed first dance at their reception. In a fun twist on tradition, they served up doughnuts instead of wedding cake for dessert. Guests signed Christmas ornaments in lieu of a guest book, and the place cards? They were noisemakers for when the clock hit midnight—it was New Year’s Eve, after all.

The Details

Wedding date: Dec. 31, 2016

Wedding colors: Black and gold

Attendants: Seven bridesmaids and six groomsmen

Bride wore: Pronovias gown and a veil from Lace Bridal Couture in Cincinnati, shoes from DSW and accessories from Nordstrom

Hair and makeup: Makeup by Megan Lee, hair by Micah Crabtree at Nurtur the Salon

Groom wore: Tuxedo rented from American Commodore

Rings: Michael Hill

Rehearsal dinner: Schmidt’s Sausage Haus

Ceremony: Chapel at St. Charles Preparatory School

Reception: Athletic Club of Columbus

Caterer: In-house

Cake: Sweets from Amy’s Donuts in lieu of cake

Florist: Dannette’s Floral Boutique

Photographer: Brett Loves Elle Photography

Photo booth: Brett Loves Elle Photography

Videographer:  Brett Loves Elle Photography

Invitations: Shine Wedding Invitations

Reception tunes: Columbus Pro DJ

First dance: Haley Reinhart’s cover of “Can’t Help Falling in Love with You”

Registry: Bed Bath and Beyond

Guests stayed at: Westin Columbus

Honeymoon: Rarotonga in the Cook Islands