By Terry Meadows
Joe and Marlena met as freshmen at Quinnipiac University, living next door and quickly becoming friends. Joe knew Marlena was the "one" and often tried to impress her. One night, after making Marlena laugh uncontrollably, Joe proposed with a cocktail straw ring, and she said yes, despite never having dated.
Before their junior year, they stayed in Connecticut for internships. Marlena, wanting more alone time with Joe, used her pasta-making skills and IKEA furniture assembly as excuses. That summer strengthened their bond, and they soon became a couple.
Nine years later, after various moves, new family members, and a puppy, Marlena and Joe exchanged that cocktail straw ring for real wedding rings.
The Engagement
The Rehearsal
"We only ever looked at Zion Springs! I knew that I wanted to get married in a barn and we love to party so we knew we would need to accommodate a great number of people. Once we toured Zion Springs and learned that they do everything for us we were hooked. We knew we wanted the planning to be as stress free as possible and this is what Zion Spring offered. Additionally being able to offer accommodations for our wedding party was hard to pass up."
Wedding Attire
Bride: Love Couture Bridal
Groom: Hugo Boss
Bridesmaids and Groomsmen: Love Couture Bridal and own suits
"The barn and the grounds were amazing. It was a beautiful fall day which only added to the beautiful landscape."
The Ceremony
Processional Music: "Atlantic City by The Band"
"t"
The Reception
First Dance: "Tennessee Whiskey - Chris Stapleton"
Dinner: Short Ribs, Maple Glazed Salmon, Garlic Whipped Mashed Potatoes | Maple Glazed and Apple Cider Donuts
The Cake: Red Velvet and Cream Cheese with Frosting
"It was so nice to be able to offer an affordable stay for our bridal party. All of the people from our wedding party were coming from out of town, so the fact that Zion Springs offered accommodations made everyones planning easier. The bed and breakfast was such a cute place to get ready and offered so much space for my large bridal party. Additionally, having breakfast and lunch for the entire wedding party was just another thing that we did not have to think of and was greatly appreciated!"
"Our guests especially loved the grilled cheese food favor and the pizza after party."
What advice would you give to other wedding couples?
"Do it!! We had 4 siblings get married before us and by the end of the process they were stressed and a bit frustrated. Many times they were excited to 'get it over with' because it had been such a long and difficult process. We did not want our experience to be like that and that is why we chose Zion Springs. There was never a point that either of us were stressed or excited to be done. I frequently look at Joe and ask to get married again because the process was so easy and the day itself was one of the best we've ever had."
Zion Springs: Turning Dreams Into Unforgettable Celebrations
Venture into a realm of inspiring wedding narratives on our Answers and Advice page. Experience the array of unique and heartfelt ceremonies that have come to life at Zion Springs.
As your all-inclusive wedding destination, Zion Springs focuses on simplifying your planning process, allowing you to concentrate on the truly important moments. Our meticulously chosen articles are designed to navigate you through every step of your wedding planning, guaranteeing that your big day is not just memorable but the crowning event of your celebrations.
7 Wedding Reception Regrets You’ll Want to Avoid—And How to Do It Right
Jennifer and Alex’s Spring Wedding
6 Things Wedding Guests Don’t Care About
