How did you meet?
We met in high school, we shared a class together and sat across from one another.
Do you have any interesting stories to share about getting to know one another?
We shared the same friend group for all of high school, but never really spoke. We started hanging out summer of sophomore year of college when we were the only two in our friend group to not have internships for the summer. We became best friends that summer.
How long did you know each other before you got married?
17 years
When did you know you wanted to marry your partner?
Jamie: I knew I wanted to marry Jared shortly into dating him. I was hesitant to start dating because he was my best friend. I broke up with my boyfriend and he helped me create a Bumble account. We were hanging out a lot, too, as we lived five streets over in Lakewood. I remember, I told him I got a lot of matches and he told me a few days later, “I don’t want to lose you to a Bumble boy.” There was no specific moment I knew I wanted to marry him, I think hearing him say something so silly was endearing. I slowly realized he had everything I was looking for and more. He also told me the day we started dating, “If we do this, I’m in it to marry you.” Something like that would typically send me running, but I was fine with it.
Jared: When we started talking, Jamie was very hesitant to start dating. We were best friends and she didn’t want to lose that connection. I was scared, too, but wanted to give her space and time to figure out what she wanted. When we did start dating, I told her if we do date, I’m doing this to get married. I knew that might scare her, but I wanted to show her I was serious. We work so effortlessly together and helped each other through a lot. Once I saw how well we worked together, I knew she was the one.
What was the best part of wedding planning?
Just the overall excitement leading up to the big day. We had a long engagement due to COVID and had a lot of time to plan and take in all the feelings. My (Jamie’s) mom always tells people, “There was no drama with anything – it was easy.” Planning should be low stress and fun!
How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect your wedding plan and wedding day?
We got engaged at the end of the summer in 2020. We wanted to get married that following August. We toured and fell in love with Sapphire Creek and they didn’t have any available dates for 2021, so we held off. Besides that, things ran smoothly.
Was there any spot-on advice you received prior to the big day, either in terms of the wedding or lasting relationship?
Countless people told us to take in our big day and make time for just us two. Our wedding was very picture heavy, and that was intentional, as our photographer was (the best). We did have a few moments to ourselves, which was nice.
What was the most fun or interesting Jewish aspect of your wedding?
We had a non-traditional wedding ceremony. My (Jamie’s) father is Jewish and my mother Catholic. Growing up, I always had both religious influences, which was really valuable, but we kept our ceremony neutral.
This is just a funny story outside our wedding: Jared is also Jewish and I went on Birthright in 2013 (when we were still just friends). I was bugging him to go with me, and he didn’t. He still says he regrets this.
Any last advice for future couples?
We had a larger guest list and it was important to us that we talk to every table there. We had heard from so many friends and family that time does not always allow it. We wrote letters to each table, addressing each guest and thanking them. Some tables had people that had never met, so we shared favorite memories to break the ice. We had TKO (Entertainment) announce to everyone once cocktail hour was over to have one person read the letters aloud. Guests loved the letters and said it was so unique and personal. We’re glad we did this because we did not have time to see every table, but this was our way of reaching each guest and making them feel loved.
“The entire day was incredible. Sapphire’s gardens are breathtaking. They have twinkle lights set up overlooking their wooded property. Jared and I took a moment to soak in the beauty and just appreciate the day.”
Jamie
Jamie Bergsman & Jared Unger
Wedding Day
June 25, 2022
Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens | Chagrin Falls
Today
Ages: 31 & 32
Hometown: Solon
Planning
Engagement: Aug. 9, 2020
Officiant: Matthew Husted, Jared’s uncle
Wedding Colors: White and blush
Dress: Wilderly Collection from Galleria Gowns in Highland Heights
Wedding Rings: Vivid Diamond & Design in Bay Village
Jewelry: I (Jamie) wore an evil eye bracelet on my ankle to honor my mother’s Italian heritage as my something blue. I wore my hamsa ring from Israel for engagement photos. Both of those pieces mean a lot to me and I wanted to incorporate both in some way.
Veil: None, I had flowers cascading down my hair
Shoes: Clear heels from Amazon and Kate Spade Keds for reception
Hair/Makeup: Beauty Bar by Antonietta
Bridesmaids Dresses: Jasmine Bridal Charlotte chiffon black floor-length dresses
Groom’s Formalwear: Men’s Wearhouse
Groomsmen: Vera Wang
Bouquet/Flowers: The Red Twig in Hudson
Photographer: Kayla Rae Photography
Videographer: Ace Images Photography
Planner/Consultant: Megan Wiegand at Sapphire Creek and Jamie’s mom
Reception/Catering: Sapphire Creek Winery & Gardens
Cake/Sweets: Corbo’s Bakery cassata cake and assorted Italian cookies
Rehearsal Dinner: Mama Catena’s in Euclid
Music/Entertainment: TKO Entertainment
Accommodations: AC Hotel by Marriott at Pinecrest in Orange
Registries: Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma
Honeymoon: Italy
Extras: Jared made our cake accents. We have two dogs, Sailor and Ace. Ace is a 5-year-old black lab/shepherd mix and we planned on having him in the ceremony. Once we got Sailor, a 1-year-old German shepherd/aussie mix, it was clear that he was too much dog for a formal event. We didn’t want to exclude him, so Jared made clay figurines to go on our cake instead.