Linick, Stewart Wedding

Their story starts back to their sophomore days at Grissom High School in Huntsville, Alabama, were they were both enrolled in Coach Collin’s AP European History class. They hung out in the same circle of friends and Luke held a secrete crush for her that Camille never knew about. After high school Camille went off to Brandeis in Waltham, MA and Luke studied engineering at Auburn University. Through their college career the two corresponded and occasionally saw each other during summer and winter breaks. It was during the winter break of 2003-2004 during a New Year’s Eve party that Luke got up the courage to ask Camille for her number; however, it wouldn’t be until June of 2006, after he had completed the engineering program at Auburn and she had just completed her first year of medical school that the two reconnected over summer. They started dating and continued a long distance relationship between Huntsville, Alabama and New Orleans, LA for the next two years.

In 2008 Camille accepted a medical student research fellowship in Boston, but was hesitant of making a long distance relationship even longer, and she asked Luke if he would join her, and he agreed. The two went to Boston and found a nice apartment and then back to New Orleans to pack. It was May 30, 2008 and they had just spent a long day packing, so Luke suggested that they go to their favorite restaurant Jacque-Imos for dinner. Ready to propose, he was surprised to learn that Camille had invited her close friends to join them. Wanting to wait for a more private moment he decided to hold off. The following day their friends showed up to help them move...once again postponing Luke’s proposal for another time. That night while staying with some friends, Luke’s anticipation had grown and he couldn’t wait any longer so he took advantage of the only time they had alone, and waited patiently outside the bathroom door while Camille took a shower. The minute she stepped out of the shower (still in her towel) Luke came in, got down on one knee, and proposed. She immediately said yes! The two were now ready to set off on their new adventure together in Boston.

Camille knew right away that she wanted a beach wedding. Her and her family had vacationed many times on the Gulf Coast of Alabama so the search was on. Camille hired Sheryl and Sheila from Orange Beach Weddings to help with all the creative details, and her mom went to Kaiser Realty in Orange Beach and found the Nordic Villas to be the perfect place for their perfect beach wedding . It was a great way for family and friends to get away for a beach vacation and a wedding. They rented three houses from the Nordic Villas. Camille’s family stayed at the Horningsholm, his family stayed at the Skane, and Camille and Luke along with their friends stayed in the Dalarna house for a total of 70 people staying in the three houses from Thursday, April 2 - Monday, April 6.

For the wedding day, 140 guests showed to witness the union of Camille Lisette Linick and Luke Christopher Stewart. Because Camille is Jewish and Luke is Catholic, a ceremony for mixed marriages was performed by Rabbi Leonard Zukrow from Temple Beth-El in Pensacola, Florida. The ceremony was held outside on the white sandy beach in front of the Dalarna House and white benches provided seating for the guests. The wedding party walked down the isle to “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by UB40 and Camille was escorted down by her father to the song “I do, I do, I do” by ABBA from the movie “Muriel’s Wedding”.

Camille wore an ivory Cassini collection from David’s Bridal with a sliming bodice, a full skirt and a long train. Her necklace and earrings were Swarovski crystal along with a silver and gold tiara accented with pearls and crystals all from David’s Bridal. Luke was handsome in his blue seersucker suit from Jos. A. Bank with a white button down shirt. The bridesmaids wore blue seersucker dresses from Kathlin Argiro and the guys wore blue seersucker pants with white button down shirts from Jos. A. Bank. Purple and blue hydrangeas and yellow-white roses added a touch of romance along with square glass bowl centerpieces of hydrangeas and leaves covering the stems. The ceremony shared sentiments that were common to both Judaism and Christianity, while still remaining a reform Jewish ceremony. Given that the wedding party wasn’t wearing shoes, a single shoe was placed near Luke for the traditional breaking of the glass at the end of the wedding.

For an hour after the ceremony guest enjoyed cocktails and hors d’oeuvres of sweet red pepper & caramelized onion quesadillas with mixed cheeses, topped with fresh guacamole. Then later everyone feasted on Tammy’s “Mexican Fiesta” buffet catered by Tammy Shakelford from Eventful Planner of Destin, Florida. The buffet included Queso Fountain for dipping chips, Senorita salad with mixed greens, avocado, shaved jicama and pomegranate seeds tossed in a light cilantro-pepito dressing, black bean cakes with chipotle crème, Spanish rice tostadas, zesty crab, three cheese enchiladas and flan steak with guacamole sauce. For desert the bride’s cake was a lemon cake with butter icing and raspberry filling. The groom’s cake was a large cookie cake with chocolate dipped strawberries, since as a child he has always preferred cookie cakes to the traditional birthday cakes. Tammy from Eventful Planner made sugar cookies with icing that resembled their wedding cake including the monogram, wrapped in cellophane and tied with ribbon.

For entertainment Camille and Luke went with a professional DJ and radio show host from Binghamton, NY of the morning show for Star 105.7, Joshua Ludzki. He was their DJ/karaoke announcer and a close friend of Camille from Brandeis. They had a mixture of karaoke and dance music. Response cards for favorite karaoke song went out with the wedding invitations for those who wanted to participate in the fun. Camille started off the karaoke by performing “My Humps” by the Black Eye Peas. A friend of theirs, Giovanni Greci of Boston learned all the words to Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby,” and Vikas Kothapalli from Tulane sang Lois Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”. Camille’s very talented aunt and Uncle Lawrence and Elyssa Linick performed a number of outstanding songs including “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks. Luke’s father joined in on the fun with his rendition of “Born to be Wild” by Steppenwolf.

The traditional first dance was anything but traditional when Camille and Luke took to the dance floor and performed the well known choreography of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” Before their performance was over they had everyone up on their feet laughing and dancing along. The party continued all through the night and moved inside the Dalarna House after the reception.

   
The happy couple traveled to St. Martin for their honeymoon, where they stayed at La Samanna resort, and enjoyed an ocean view from an upper and lower balcony and every window in the room. After their wonderful wedding and honeymoon, Camille and Luke returned to New Orleans, then to Boston where they now reside in the Back Bay area until Camille returns to New Orleans to complete her fourth year of medical school.  •