On Memory Lane

By Lisa Arnett
October 2024 View more Better Together

When a romantic stroll turns into a proposal

For most people, a pebble stuck in your shoe is nothing more than a passing nuisance. For Aurora residents Julie Soncodi, 23, and Jesse Johnson, 24, it’s a core memory.

They met as students at Metea Valley High School in Aurora and went to their senior prom together. They continued to date long-distance while Soncodi attended University of Missouri, and not long after she returned home after graduation, Johnson proposed on a walk through Knoch Knolls Park in Naperville. “We’ve always liked hiking and going on walks, so I decided this would be perfect,” he says. “Julie actually had something in her shoe, and I got down on a knee to help her with it and instead brought out the ring.”

Johnson and his family are longtime members of the Compass Church in Naperville; for their June 21 wedding, he and Soncodi chose the church’s more intimate Wheaton campus. His great-uncle and grandfather, both retired pastors, officiated the ceremony and delivered a sermon, respectively. Afterward, the celebration moved to the church gym for dinner from Belgio’s Catering and cake from DeEtta’s. Since the bride and groom aren’t big dancers, they skipped the traditional DJ and dancing and opted for classic games instead, including Mad Libs and wedding-themed bingo.

Though the bride’s brother wasn’t able to attend after having a lung transplant a week prior, the couple was honored to include him virtually. “We set up a livestream on my phone with a little tripod, and he got to watch the whole wedding,” Soncodi says. “My dad took the phone around to every table and included him in the entire reception.” The day’s festivities ended early enough for the newlyweds to drive to Chicago and see him afterward. “I really wanted to visit him in the hospital in my wedding dress,” Soncodi says.

They honeymooned in Tennessee’s Smoky Mountains and hope to take a trip to Europe next year. “My only living grandma is 86 and lives in Romania,” Soncodi says. “I know she desperately wants to meet Jesse, and she wasn’t able to come to the wedding, so hopefully we will get to visit in 2025.”

Wedding Details

Venue
The Compass Church, Wheaton

Bride’s attire
The W Collection gown from Wolsfelt’s Bridal, Aurora

Bride’s hair & makeup
Tamara Makeup + Hair Artistry, Westmont

Bridesmaids’ dresses
jjshouse.com

Groom’s and groomsmen’s attire
Men’s Wearhouse, Aurora

Catering
Belgio’s Catering, Naperville

Cake
DeEtta’s Bakery, Naperville

Rings
Erckman Jewelers, Chicago

Flowers
Phillip’s Flowers & Gifts, Wheaton

Decor
July’s Princess Boutique, Round Lake Beach

Photography
Rachael Watson Photography Inc., RWP Associate Cassie Lacina

Photos: Rachael Watson Photography Inc., RWP Associate Cassie Lacina