Marie-Wise Hawking and Anton Jemiolo
Married
Jun 29, 2024
Palos Verdes ,
California
Photo Credit
Jeb Wilson, Nashville Photography Group
Style Guide
Color Palette
Style
Nautical
Season
Summer

The Proposal
Country music artist Marie Wise-Hawkins is originally from California, living in Nashville, and has opened for LeAnn Rimes. Marie fronts a band on Nashville’s famed lower Broadway bars 6 nights a week.
Anton and Marie met at Guitar Center in Woodland Hills, CA, in 2014. From the very beginning, Marie felt that Anton was “the one” because of his loving spirit, their shared faith in God, and his ability to make her laugh effortlessly. She noted that the way time seemed to fly when they were together truly stood out. Anton’s unwavering support for her country music career has been a constant source of strength and inspiration for her. His encouragement and genuine care have made their journey together incredibly special. Marie described their connection as effortless from the start, making it clear that he was the person she wanted to spend her life with.
On the proposal day, Anton surprised Marie with a romantic setting at the Gear Sculpture overlooking the Nashville skyline along the Eastbank Riverfront and Greenway, across from Nissan Stadium. Although she suspected something special was coming—he had mentioned a Michelin dinner and asked me to dress formally—she was still overwhelmed by his thoughtful gesture. He arranged candles, draped chiffon on the sculpture, added lights, displayed a sign with her favorite Bible verse, and set up a charcuterie board. He even hired my guitar player to perform instrumental versions of some of their favorite songs, with friends helping to set everything up. A funny moment occurred when the typical Nashville party buses started stopping by! It was a magical and heartfelt proposal that perfectly reflected their love and shared journey.




In Preparation
Planning the wedding was a delightful yet intricate journey, filled with excitement and challenges. With Marie’s busy schedule of releasing new singles and performing, the couple dedicated over a year to crafting their dream day. As a country music artist who loves beach vibes, ocean views at all wedding venues were a must. Marie and Anton envisioned a glamorous Art Deco theme with a modern Great Gatsby twist, reflecting their love for timeless elegance. While in California for music video shoots, they explored various venues and immediately fell in love with The Neighborhood Church. However, finding the right reception venue proved elusive until the couple saw the Long Beach signs and remembered The Queen Mary, where they shared their first kiss. Envisioning it as the perfect setting, Marie and Anton conducted a FaceTime tour that revealed The Queen Mary’s captivating Art Deco charm and nostalgic connection, solidifying their decision. Despite the logistical challenges of planning from Tennessee and Marie’s quest for the perfect gown—trying on over 100 dresses—they were determined to perfect every detail. The couple chose a photographer from Nashville who truly captured their vision and hired a talented planner to handle decor, florals, and more. With countless FaceTime calls and a few flights, the couple meticulously brought their vision to life, resulting in a wedding that was as enchanting as it was unforgettable.


The Big Day
Marie and her husband, Anton, were married on June 29, 2024, in an elegant and romantic celebration in Palos Verdes, California, in a church built in 1927 with a gorgeous view overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The reception followed at the Queen’s Salon at The Queen Mary Long Beach, a historic retired cruise ship. Inspired by The Great Gatsby and Titanic, they aimed to capture elegance and sophistication with romantic flair.
With music being such an integral part of their love and lives, Marie performed “How Great Thou Art” during the ceremony and they lit unity candles together. The reception featured touches of their personalities and surprises throughout the night as well — as a fan of magic shows, they surprised their guests with a strolling magician during cocktail hour. Marie also surprised Anton with an original song she co-wrote for him about their love story and the renowned guitar player Adrian Galysh accompanied her at their reception. The florist decorated The Queen Mary with elegant pillar candles, beautiful arrangements, and white orchids. Music being so important to them, they had a fantastic eight-piece band that guests thoroughly enjoyed.


The Retreat
For their honeymoon, Anton planned a dream trip to Akumal, Mexico, a destination Marie had longed to visit. Due to her busy schedule with numerous shows, the couple departed at 5 a.m. the morning after the wedding. The couple stayed at Secrets, an adults-only, all-inclusive resort. The highlight of the stay was swimming with sea turtles and stingrays, and enjoying romantic dinners in a tropical paradise. The resort grounds were absolutely stunning, providing them
with a perfect escape to disconnect from the world and reconnect with each other. It was a serene and rejuvenating way to unwind after the wedding planning. Marie’s favorite moments were simply being with Anton and reminiscing about their beautiful wedding day. The trip was a perfect start to their new life together. Midway through the trip, the couple heard about an approaching hurricane, which caused some concern as it was expected to make landfall the day they were leaving. They worried about flight cancellation and getting stranded, but fortunately, the storm was delayed. Marie and Anton were amazed at how well the resort was prepared for the hurricane and how many precautions they had taken. They left without any issues and were relieved to hear that all the couples they met who rode out the storm were safe, making the trip unforgettable in every way.




Featured Wedding Vendors
Photography: Jeb Wilson, Nashville Photography Group |Venue + Catering: The Queen Mary Weddings | Church: The Neighborhood Church of Palos Verdes | Wedding Planner: Koral & Ko | Videography: Dreamwood Films | Band + Lighting: Crowd Theory Entertainment | Florist: Alex Telson | Photo Booth: Pixter | Dress 1: Badgley Mischka | The White Magnolia | Dress 2: Serene by Madi Lane | Luv Bridal | Groom: Friar Tux | Magician: Dana Daniels | Cake: Rossmoor Pastries | Rentals: Stephanie’s Linens | Beauty: Z’dra Jaye | Transportation: Best VIP | Classic Car: Five Diamonds Limousine