Jstyle Weddings spotlight | Samantha Somogyi & Kevin Hurtuk

How did you meet?

Through mutual friends.

Do you have any interesting stories to share about getting to know one another?

We met through mutual friends at Kent State University, although Kevin had already graduated college and I (Samantha) was finishing my senior year. Kevin came back to visit friends during Kent’s homecoming weekend. We didn’t get an opportunity to talk a lot that weekend, but it was just enough to spark interest in each other. A couple months later after a couple more encounters with mutual friends, Kevin finally asked me out on a first date. We went to Deagan’s Kitchen & Bar in Lakewood for dinner followed by bowling at Madison-Square Lanes. This restaurant is also where we had dinner the night we got engaged.

One of our favorite things to do together is travel. After only a few months of dating we traveled to Florida with the same two friends that we met through. That same year we took a weekend trip to Pittsburgh, Pa., and Gatlinburg, Tenn. Over the next few years, we traveled to Washington, D.C., Surfside, S.C., San Antonio, Texas, Newport, R.I., and Charleston, S.C. And finally, our favorite trip of them all was our honeymoon to Maui, Hawaii. We hope to continue traveling the world together!

How long did you know each other before you got married?

Five-and-a-half years

When did you know you wanted to marry your partner?

Samantha: After our first few dates it was very obvious that Kevin and I shared something special and unique. It was and always has been so effortless between us and from the start our relationship has been filled with so much laughter.

Kevin: I knew shortly after our first date because it was so easy to be myself around Samantha in a way I’ve never felt before.

What was the best part of wedding planning?

It’s hard to pick just one. We loved all the celebrations with friends and family along the way – dress shopping, the bridal shower, bachelorette and bachelor parties. And it was also so special to see all the little details slowly come together leading up to our big day.

Was there any spot-on advice you received prior to the big day, either in terms of the wedding or lasting relationship?

Advice for our wedding day: Don’t forget to take little moments to stop and take it all in, the day goes by so quickly. Advice for marriage: Never stop dating each other.

What was the most fun or interesting Jewish aspect of your wedding/partnership?

The chuppah and breaking of the glass because we love the symbolism it represents. We also loved the Jewish hora because it was such a fun way to get all of our friends and family on the dance floor!

“Our ‘first look’ was a really special moment for us. It was so nice to step away from everyone and everything for a little while, and have time together. And we read our vows privately at that time! But overall, we were so incredibly happy to have our favorite people all gathered in one place, that really meant a lot to us.”
Samantha