Francesca Garippa and Andrew Joliat’s story is one of unexpected connections and perfect timing. As they got to know one another during their first Hinge date, they discovered their lives had been quietly intertwined for years through a series of remarkable coincidences and shared experiences.

They lived a mile apart from each other and shared countless mutual friends but somehow had never crossed paths. Looking back, it seemed as though fate had been leaving clues all along, patiently guiding them toward the moment they would finally meet. After that moment Francesca recalls, they “never stopped dating.”

Their engagement was entirely unexpected. Francesca, a dance teacher whose students are a central part of her life, was completely caught off guard when Andrew orchestrated an elaborate surprise proposal with the help of her friend Liz, the dance studio director, and colleagues. Convinced she was participating in an interview celebrating women-owned businesses, she arrived at the studio unaware that Andrew was waiting for her. When he proposed, her students rushed in to surround the couple in a “hype circle,” a beloved competition ritual at the studio. “It was the best and most thoughtful way he could have ever proposed!” she smiles.

The couple spent 15 months planning their celebration, leaning on family and an experienced team of wedding vendors throughout the process. Francesca credits her sister-in-law Jillian as a valuable sounding board, while emphasizing the importance of organization, research, and perspective throughout the process. “Stay organized, do your research, have a great team, and most importantly don’t lose sight of the most important thing – the two of you, and the beginning of your life together.”

They married on September 9, 2023, in Detroit, Michigan, celebrating with 270 guests in a day that felt personal to their story. From a traditional Catholic ceremony to a glamorous reception, every detail reflected the places and people they hold closest. When selecting their venues, the choice was simple: “Home!” says the bride. Having grown up attending school at St. Hugo and celebrating many special occasions as members at the Detroit Athletic Club with Andrew, the couple selected locations that felt familiar and meaningful.

During the ceremony, Francesca honored family tradition by wearing both of her grandmothers’ wedding rings. Following their vows, guests were treated to a touching surprise when the priest sang an Irish blessing as a gift to the newlyweds. Later in the day, the reception transformed the Detroit Athletic Club into what Francesca envisioned as a “romantic and moody” setting. A sophisticated palette of grays, taupes, black, white, blush, and green set the tone, while dramatic draping and custom flooring completely reimagined the space.

“We wanted to transform the room into a moody and romantic scene, and our team of vendors really overdelivered.”

“We wanted to transform the room into a moody and romantic scene, and our team of vendors really overdelivered,” the bride attests. Floral arrangements further enhanced the elegant atmosphere. Long tables highlighted towering tree installations surrounded by abundant centerpiece arrangements of white and blush roses, orchids, and ranunculuses, accented with lush greenery. The combination of elevated florals and layered textures created a timeless, yet dramatic look.

Guests enjoyed a seated dinner featuring a “Motor City” salad with walnut-crusted Boursin cheese, Michigan apples, and white balsamic vinaigrette, followed by a champagne citrus sorbet palate cleanser. Entrées included pan-seared filet and herb persillade diver scallops served alongside Parmesan gratin potatoes and haricot verts. For dessert, three flavors of wedding cake were offered: primavera torte, raspberry blanc torte, and Bailey’s white chocolate torte. In fact, the cake itself became a statement piece. Designed with five tiers and cascading hand-sculpted petals, “It was stunning!” says Francesca.

Throughout the couple’s celebration, personalized details highlighted their love for their dogs, Stella and Winston. Signature cocktails were named in their honor, complete with custom drink stirrers showcasing illustrations of their faces. The couple also created a custom wedding logo that appeared throughout the event, from the stationery to the custom bar and dance floor.

One of the evening’s most memorable moments occurred when the couple entered the dining room for the first time. “We truly could not believe our eyes; it was beyond what we could have imagined,” Francesca recalls of the transformation. Other favorite memories included their first look, sharing cocktail hour with loved ones, dancing to “Hot in Herre” by Nelly, and ending the evening back in their suite enjoying all three cake flavors together.

After the reception, the celebration continued with a bowling afterglow featuring Detroit-style coney dogs and the Detroit Athletic Club’s famous Hummer cocktails, allowing guests to keep the festivities going well into the night.

“Everything was so perfect, that I couldn’t have identified one thing I would have changed,” Francesca says of their memorable day. “If anything, I’d try to slow down time so I could have made it last longer.”

Her advice for future couples comes from a family mantra that guided the couple throughout the planning process: “It’s not about me, it’s not about you, it’s about us.” She adds, “We kept reminding each other every step of the way that we are in this together to support each other and love each other, and we can get through everything and anything as long as we have each other.”

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