Real New England Wedding: Laurie Bohler & John Park

September 29, 2008
The Boston Public Garden & The Taj Hotel, Boston

Four years ago, interior designer Laurie Bohler—a student and nanny at the time—pushed her charge’s stroller across a preschool lobby and right past advertising copywriter John Park, then the school’s office manager. “I remember thinking, What a beautiful woman,” John recalls, but they hardly spoke. “I thought she was out of my league.” They didn’t meet again until 18 months later, when photographer Kelly Lorenz’s husband, Sean, reintroduced them. “The rest is history,” says Laurie. While a “proper” wedding was in the works, the pair couldn’t wait to tie the knot. But the ad hoc Boston Public Garden ceremony, shown here, didn’t supplant their May nuptials. “I love weddings!” Laurie says. This spring, they happily said their second set of “I do’s.”

“We really liked the idea of having the ceremony be private and [focused] on the marriage itself,” says Laurie, who helped John get ready for the big day.

Laurie’s Kenneth Jay Lane necklace was a gift from John.

The couple stopped by City Hall to get their marriage license before heading to their outdoor ceremony.

From left, “Weddings are such a wonderful way to celebrate starting a partnership with someone,” says Laurie. Gold rings sealed the deal.

In lieu of a fancy limo, a taxi whisked the pair to the Public Garden.

John had purchased flowers for Laurie at Winston’s earlier in the week, and they doubled as her bouquet.

The vows were followed by a champagne lunch at the Taj Hotel, then dessert at Petit Robert Bistro.

Laurie’s sister and nephew and John’s brother and sister-in-law attended the intimate nuptials.

The File

Gown: Legends by Romona Keveza, Cristina’s

Menswear: Banana Republic

Flowers: Winston Flowers

Jewelry: Kenneth Jay Lane, the Ruby Door

Officiant: John David Punch

Dessert: French cookies, Petit Robert Bistro