From California to Jamaica to Croatia, three local couples share a glimpse inside their post-wedding getaways.
Brandie Potzick & Austin Kolaczko
Married June 9, 2018
Destination: Croatia
Photograph courtesy of Brandie Potzick
History, beautiful architecture, good food, adventure, and relaxing beaches drew Brandie and Austin to Croatia a few months after their wedding at Norwood’s St. Elizabeth Church.
The couple spent 10 days traveling through the country. “We started in the capital, Zagreb, in the far north, hiked through Plitvice Lakes National Park, then made our way to the coast and visited Split, took the ferry to Hvar island, Korčula island, and ended our trip in Dubrovnik,” says Brandie. But that’s not all. The newlyweds also “swam, tanned, and cliff jumped all along the coastal and island cities,” Brandie says. “We visited museums, markets, and famous landmarks. But mostly, we just wandered up and down streets gawking at the beauty and architecture while alternating between espresso and gelato.”
Rather than booking traditional hotels, the couple opted for Airbnb. Buying bread, meat, and cheese at local markets and bakeries and preparing breakfast or dinner in their apartments made each city feel like home, “even if it was only for two or three days,” Brandie says. “We did eat out for a few meals, but there was something special about doing ‘normal’ things in a beautiful place.”
Tori Aulick and Jorden Zamrik
Married October 18, 2019
Destination: Jamaica
Photograph courtesy of Tori Aulick
After their fall wedding at the Triple Crown Country Club in Union, Tori and Jorden wanted a tropical escape. “We are both really busy with work, and with the stress of wedding planning, we wanted to relax,” Tori says. They also wanted a resort with plenty to do. The newlyweds found their answer in Secrets St. James Montego Bay, an all-inclusive resort.
Once in Jamaica, the couple developed a routine: “Every day, we would go to the gym in the morning, hit the breakfast buffet, and relax at the pool,” Tori says. In the afternoon, they spotted sea life while kayaking or paddle boarding, and played Ping-Pong or basketball. Evenings were spent enjoying dinner and simply relaxing.“It was so serene,” Tori says.
For the couple, lots of little things added up to createan unforgettable trip. Among them was a complimentary couple’s massage that was included in the Eternal Love honeymoon package they purchased, and the ease of the resort’s all-inclusive model. “That we didn’t have to stress about what we were spending made it that much more enjoyable,” Tori says. The resort staff also made a positive impact. “Everyone went out of their way to make us feel special,” she says.
Stephany Mendia and Samuel Baker
Married September 28, 2019
Destination: Los Angeles
Photograph courtesy of Stephany Mendia
After saying “I do” at the historic St. Elizabeth Church in Norwood, Samuel and Stephany set out for their honeymoon in sunny Los Angeles.“We knew we weren’t going to be taking an international trip for our honeymoon, but we still wanted to have a wide array of experiences, so I suggested L.A.,” Stephany says. With an Airbnb in the city’s Rose Hill section as their base, the couple explored areas spanning Venice to Santa Monica.
On the agenda? Exploring L.A.’s food scene, with a stop at Grand Central Market, plus In-N-Out and Shake Shackfor comparison (“In-N-Out is our winner,” Stephany says). To get their art, architecture, and entertainment fix, they visited the Griffith Observatory and The Getty, attended a taping of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and took in a Vampire Weekend concert at the Hollywood Bowl.
For the couple, who are both serious Star Wars fans, a highlight of their honeymoon was a visit to Disneyland (“We waited in two lines the entire day—thank you, Max-Pass,” Stephany says) to check out Galaxy’s Edge, where they made their own keepsake lightsaber. “We had been talking about doing that since we got together over four years ago,” Stephany says.
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