The Couple: Kristin and Ilina

The Wedding: 8.28.2010 - Griffin Museum of Photography - Winchester, Massachusetts

Kristin and Ilina's Story: Kristin and Ilina are double Jumbos, referring not to their cumulative size but their fondness for Tufts' mascot, Jumbo the elephant. According to Ilina, they fell in love because of chemistry. The two spent the summer of 2002 together: in chem lab during the day and cooking meals at night. The summer was the start of Kristin's near decade-long appreciation for Ilina's cooking, and Ilina's envy of Kristin's science abilities (not to mention the "A" that eluded her but landed, well-deserved, on Kristin's transcript).

That summer was also the beginning of a relationship that has continued to grow and strengthen with every move they've made as a couple - from Boston, where Kristin earned her doctorate in Physical Therapy, to Minneapolis, where Ilina earned her law and public health degrees. Living in their first home together, they came to appreciate bright and cold winters, adopted Lila the puppy, and enjoyed the excellent Midwest treat of fried cheese curds.

Kristin and Ilina now live in Baltimore. They live, cook, eat, travel, ready the Sunday Times, and play Boggle together. Kristin works with patients seeking rehab in an international center for spinal cord injury. Ilina’s working on implementing health reform in regulation and policy for Medicare. She hopes to do her small part to close the donut hole for prescription drugs and make grannies happy.

From the bride, Ilina: When Kristin suggested that we needed a theme around which to organize our wedding, I thought the perfect one was “stuff we liked”. She thought that was ludicrous, fearing a wedding that featured bacon, back massages, and puppies. I folded and said fine, we’ll aim for a wedding as small as we can get it, heavy focus on local, bold flavors, minimal waste, and a damn fun party. Settling on colors of red, orange, and yellow helped too, balanced by a dark purplish grey for contrast. In the end, I believe we showcased who we are as individuals and as a couple.

Kristin’s aunt officiated a secular ceremony that included Indian elements. We wrote our own vows, accidentally stole a kiss before THE kiss, and were ushered back down the aisle by our guests blowing bubbles.

From the brides, on working with JAGstudios: JAGstudios does something inexplicably brilliant with colors and capturing lovely, joyous moments, big and small.  Though we were drawn to their photographer Jacklyn Greenberg based on sheer talent alone, she happily shares many of our values in making a modest impact on this earth.

From the bride, Ilina: We had Berkeley music students performing live, including covering some of our more obscure folkie favorites, while folks enjoyed specialty cocktails and Indian hors d’oevres. While we were treated to some toasts and Kristin’s brother’s slideshow, we helped ourselves to a feast served family style. Dancing followed, including a lift up in chairs to a rousing rendition Hava Nagilah led by Kristin’s aunt and uncle (neither of us is Jewish except by osmosis). Kristin’s strongly partial to pies, so we skipped the cake altogether.

The Wedding Team:

Photography: JAGstudios
Ceremony & Reception Site: Griffin Museum of Photography
Officiant: Linda Steuerwald
Invitation Designer: Katherine Foo
Programs: Baumbirdy
Catering: East Meets West
Floral Design: Rory O’Dwyer and Alida Cantor of Langwater Farm
Live music: Hillary Reynolds Band
Favors: donation to Freedom to Marry
Rings: Brilliant Earth
Wedding Tree: LovliDay Wedding Designs
Print Materials: Classic Graphx

Thanks so much Kristin and Ilina for sharing your beautiful story and wedding with us, and thank you JAGstudios for these stunning photos!