Jackie and Shawn’s Connecticut wedding was designed around one guiding idea: their celebration should feel unmistakably like them. With just 48 guests, a venue that had never hosted a wedding before, and thoughtful details drawn from their own story, the day felt less like a traditional wedding and more like an intimate European dinner party shared among their closest friends and family.
Rather than transforming Sasha’s Barn House into something it wasn’t, Jackie and Shawn embraced the character already there. Their design was layered with deeply personal touches – from a custom crest inspired by their matching tattoos to Jackie’s vintage Italian couture gown, altered to incorporate lace from her mother’s wedding dress. Every element was intentional, but nothing felt overdone.
From Lifelong Friends to Forever
Jackie and Shawn met in high school and spent years moving through the same circles of friends. Despite knowing each other for more than two decades, their relationship remained a friendship until suddenly, dating one another felt like the most natural thing in the world.
“Looking back, it’s funny that neither of us saw it sooner because once we started dating, it felt like the most obvious thing in the world.”
They already knew each other’s personalities, shared the same sense of humor and had long admired one another before their relationship ever became romantic.
“I’ve always admired how talented and creative Shawn is long before we dated, and I think we were both genuinely proud to be with someone we already respected.”
An Intentionally Intimate Guest List
Creating an intimate wedding wasn’t necessarily the easiest decision. Jackie had originally imagined a celebration with perhaps a dozen people, while Shawn could have happily invited more than 200.
They ultimately settled on 48.
“Our rule became simple: if you weren’t part of our shared day-to-day life, you probably weren’t on the list. Once we drew that line, every decision got easier.”
That intimacy shaped the entire experience. Instead of spending the evening making rounds through a large reception, Jackie and Shawn could linger over dinner, have meaningful conversations and look around the room knowing every guest had played an important role in their lives.
“Looking back, keeping it intimate was the best decision we made. Every person there played a meaningful role in our story, and the whole weekend felt incredibly personal because of it.”
A Vintage Wedding Dress With a Piece of Her Mother’s
Jackie had always dreamed of wearing vintage on her wedding day and initially hoped that might mean wearing her mother’s gown. Although the dress fit perfectly, she realized it didn’t quite feel like her.
Instead, she found an early-2000s Italian silk and lace couture gown at Studio Dorothy.
During alterations, Sokayri Atelier carefully removed lace from Jackie’s mother’s wedding gown and incorporated it into the shoulders of her vintage dress.
“It looked as though it had always been part of the design.”
The result gave Jackie exactly what she had hoped for – a gown that reflected her own style while still allowing her to carry a tangible piece of her mother with her.
A Wedding Designed Like a Brand
As two creatives, Jackie and Shawn approached their wedding design almost as they would a brand – creating a visual identity and carrying it subtly throughout the celebration.
“We treated the wedding like a brand, making sure every detail felt connected and intentional rather than simply beautiful.”
A custom monogram inspired by matching tattoos the couple have for one another became the thread connecting the celebration. It appeared on embroidered staff aprons, dinner and cocktail napkins, matchbooks and even their wedding cake. Design elements from the invitations were repeated across the menus and seating chart, creating a cohesive visual language without making the personalization feel overt.
Their fashion followed a similarly individual approach. Alongside Jackie’s vintage gown, Shawn wore a bespoke deep green tuxedo – an unexpected departure from traditional black that still felt rooted in classic tailoring.
An Elegant European Dinner Party
More than anything, Jackie and Shawn wanted their reception to feel like an elegant European dinner party rather than a traditional wedding.
“We designed the flow to encourage guests to move effortlessly between the indoor and outdoor spaces, keep a drink in hand, linger over dinner, and gather around the smoking section.”
Their planner, Devon of All Sett Up, understood the vision and helped create an evening where the experience mattered as much as the aesthetics.
Even their venue choice reflected that philosophy. Sasha’s Barn House had never hosted a wedding before, giving the couple an opportunity to work with the existing space rather than covering it with layers of conventional wedding decor.
A Ceremony Made Personal
The most important goal throughout the planning process was creating a celebration that felt authentic to their relationship. That extended to the ceremony itself, which was officiated by Jackie’s best friend, Thomas.
“Hearing our story through the eyes of someone who lived it alongside us is something we’ll never forget.”
For Jackie and Shawn, the intimacy of the guest list allowed the ceremony – and the entire wedding – to feel less like something being presented to an audience and more like something being experienced together.
Their Advice for Other Couples
“Your wedding shouldn’t be a performance – it should feel like an extension of your relationship.”
Jackie says their decisions became easier when they stopped asking what they were supposed to do and instead asked a much simpler question: “Does this feel like us?”
And perhaps that same philosophy explains their perspective on marriage itself.
“The most honest thing I can say about love is that admiration matters. We were friends long before we dated, and I think that’s why our relationship feels so grounded. I don’t just love Shawn – I genuinely admire the person he is.”
“I think being loved by someone is incredible, but being deeply respected by your partner is what gives love staying power.”
Wedding Planner: All Sett Up / @allsettup
Venue: Sasha’s Barn House / @sashasbarnhouse
Photographer: Molly Meets Magic / @mollymeetsmagic
Videographer: Molly Gills / @mogills
Content Creation: Bloom More Weddings / @bloommoreweddings
Catering: Chef Paulie G Catering / @chefpaulieg
DJ: Danielle Turano / @_danielleturano
Florals & Decor: Roonee Bespoke Celebrations / @roonee_bespoke_celebrations
Dress: Studio Dorothy / @studiodorothy.nyc
Alterations: Sokayri Atelier / @sokayri_custom_couture
Hair: Ashley Heins / @ashleyyheins
Makeup: Kara Benaducci / @lightskaraaction
Rings: Fairfield Center Jewelers / @fairfieldcenterjewelers_fcj
Tabletop & Chair Rentals: All Season Party Rentals / @allseasonpartyrentals
Cocktail Table Rentals: Smith Party Rentals / @smithpartyrentals
Misc. Glassware Rentals: Durant’s Party Rentals / @durantspartyrentals
Outdoor Heater Rentals: Party Line Rentals / @partylinerentals
Bride: Jaclyn Francis / @jaclyn_francis
Groom: Shawn Lacosta / @cil-vile
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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