Shevaun and Jan met on Match.com in the summer of 2009. They wanted to combine the Czech and American traditions of getting engaged. Jan is from Prague. Shevaun grew up in Seattle. They both live in North Carolina.
The Czech way: Have a series of conversations about getting married and come to a mutual decision.
The American way: Groom presents ring to bride and formally proposes.
In April, they initiated the Czech process and started talking about getting married. Jan then asked if Shevaun would like to go ring shopping. After a series of trips to jewelry stores in North Carolina and Europe (with no luck), Jan suggested that they try a local jeweler in North Carolina Precision Platinum Jewelry who designs and casts his own jewelry. He showed them a diamond that they both loved and then they looked through his designs and found a winner. The jeweler invited them to come to the store to watch the ring be made. Jan returned from a conference in DC on May 27th and they went to dinner in Chapel Hill, NC. Once they ordered their food he then reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out the ring, and proposed!
The Wedding: On a mostly rainy day on November 6, 2010, Shevaun and Jan tied the knot. As Shevaun put it, they were “merging the nerdiness”. This couple is fantastic! They have traveled all over the world and reside in North Carolina. They are both professors. Their wedding was planned long distance but with the help of Shevaun’s family who is from West Seattle. It was only appropriate to have the ceremony at the family church, West Side Presbyterian. Their reception was at Salty’s on Alki. Here is the list of vendors they used to help with the day. The flowers were done by Ravenna Bloom. Makeup was done by Jackie Grace of Positively Elegante. Their rings were made by Precision Platinum in Durham, N.C.. Shevaun’s dress was purchased at La Belle Elaine’s and is a Pronovias dress called The Medina. The music and games were done by Amore. Last but not least, the cakes were done by Decadence Custom Cakes. Shevaun and Jan then had a reception over the Christmas holiday in Prague where Jan is from. Followed by a honeymoon in The Maldives. Rough life!! 🙂 Here are some photos from the day. Thank you to my wonderful friend and second photographer that day, Melanie Blair. 
