Blind Date Gone Right

Robyn DeRoche and Austin Pepper met while attending the University of Florida and were married on June 4 at the Foundry at Puritan Mill. The theme of the night was black and white with elegant white linens, tapered candles, black menu cards and black water goblets, and the extraordinary lighting sealed the ambiance.

DeRoche is a senior accounting manager at Milk Bar; and groom, Pepper, is an auditor at RSM US, LLC and incoming Master of Business Administration student at the Emory University’s Goizueta Business School. They both grew up in Florida but did not meet until they were set up on a blind date while attending University of Florida.

The wedding cake was pumpkin frosted.

On their first date, they quickly realized that they were both studying accounting and taking all the same classes, just at different hours. Their connection quickly built from there.

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In Austin’s wedding vows he said, “I felt a spark that night, and I knew then that I only saw a world with you in it.” After completing their master’s degrees and Certified Public Accountant licenses, Robyn moved to New York, and both started their careers.

Throughout their three years in New York, they spent time in Central Park and eating at new restaurants. In 2020, they drove to Atlanta to visit Robyn’s family, and what was supposed to be a two-day trip turned in to a full week. They liked what they saw and decided to live here permanently.

In April 2021, Pepper took DeRoche on what she thought was a normal date night at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Little did she know that both of their families, many of whom they hadn’t seen in over a year because of COVID, were gathering for a surprise proposal party. Pepper walked his bride-to-be through the beautiful orchid exhibit where he got down on one knee and proposed.

J. Wilbur Smith with Eventscapes Atlanta arranged the décor and florals.

After an evening of celebrating the proposal, wedding plans were underway with the help of help of wedding planner Terry Saxe, who went along every step of the way.

DeRoche said, “Whatever we asked for, she made happen like securing Puritan Mill, which was once a soap manufacturing facility, that offers original exposed pine beams and skylights, which fill the room with a warm and welcoming light. It was the perfect place to welcome 200 guests to Atlanta.”

The bride and groom met at the University of Florida on a blind date.

Before the wedding ceremony, family gathered in the back of the venue to join Rabbi Loren Lapidus, and bride and groom for the signing of the Ketubah and the Bedeken [where the groom veils the bride] ceremony, which were especially meaningful since DeRoche had just completed her conversion to Judaism two months prior.

DeRoche wore a Jenny Yoo dress from an Atlanta bridal boutique, Kelly’s Closet. She accessorized the simple, elegant dress with a headband from Jennifer Behr. Pepper wore a black Hugo Boss tuxedo with velvet loafers. Bridesmaids wore black gowns and carried bouquets of anemone, peonies, roses, and orchids. Groomsmen wore black tuxedos and were accessorized with a single white anemone boutonniere.

The couple’s first dance was to “Your Song” by Elton John.

For the ceremony, a white glass aisle, flowered Chuppah, baby’s breath florals, and romantic drapery adorned the room in a perfect contrast to the industrial space. J. Wilbur Smith of Eventscapes Atlanta created a “wow” with details, including suspending the cake from the Chuppah after the ceremony.

Cocktail hour included a large square bar with extra large ice cubes and a vodka luge ice sculpture. Cocktail fare included lamb lollipops, mini poke bowls and mini charcuterie boards.

The brides bouquet was designed by J. Wilbur Smith.

Bride and groom danced their first dance to “Your Song” by Elton John, and sparklers were activated at the end of the dance, with The Rupert’s Orchestra packing the dance floor throughout the night.

Served dinner was a dual entrée of seared halibut and filet of beef.

Desserts were passed on the dance floor, as guests danced and celebrated late into the night. The wedding cake was pumpkin frosted.

After the wedding, the couple spent their honeymoon in Italy, exploring Tuscany, Positano and Rome, while pasta-loading.

Vendors:

Other vendors: Bold Catering & Design
Videographer: Wages Films
Ceremony Music: Amati Chamber Music
Makeup: Wendy Role
Transportation: Atlantic Limousine & Transportation Worldwide
DJ: Radial Entertainment
Photobooth: ShutterBooth
Ice Sculpture: ICE sculpture, Inc.