The Summit Hotel

Welcome Drink

Wedding Day

St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Brunch

Our Wedding

Our song began on September 18th, 2021. At a work event that Frank begrudgingly went to after gentle spurring from his mother, he saw Bridget—and could not take his eyes off her. It was a West Side Story kind of moment—where everything was going in slow motion, and she radiated in front of him. When they met, they talked easily and excitedly throughout the night, and they were each so hopeful that the connection they felt wasn’t just in their own heads. Bridget’s college roommate and dear late friend, Courtney Kuhl, passed Bridget’s number to Frank—and he wasted all but the ten seconds the text message took to draft reaching out. Their first date was in Little Italy, where Frank took Bridget to a candlelit restaurant in Little Italy, Mia Bella. In a culture of coffee shop dates, Bridget was swept off her feet by Frank’s romantic dinner plans. Even more romantic, when they sat down to dinner that night, he talked to her about his favorite part of her favorite book, The Things They Carried. He read it for the first time specially to prepare for their date. That first date represents their future marriage in so many ways. Frank’s romantic, intentional planning. Delicious dinners of gnocchi, pizza, and eventually, long pasta. Dates spent reading together, often on the Edgewater Park beach where they first said I love you, and where Frank proposed. And they have enjoyed so much quality time since that first date! They are proud of their trips they have taken together to Vermont and Quebec. But equally so, they are proud of the time they spend together daily. Going on neighborhood walks, dancing in the kitchen, reading with coffee, watching movies, the Buckeyes, and Dancing with the Stars, and visiting friends and family. The little things, and the little moments, matter a great deal. The best days are undoubtedly spent together. Bridget loves flowers and the lake. Frank loves the mountains. We are grateful for this world that we live in, for all the people, starting with our parents, who have believed in us, and for the gift of experiencing all the days of our lives together for the rest of our lives. We love you all. Each and every one of you has been invited for a reason, and we will forever hold in our hearts the impact you have had on us.

Our Story

Photos

For my entire life, Jack has been the absolute best brother one could ask for. With that that, he has also been my absolute best friend. Spending time watching football with him and his wife, Lucia, are some really special moments to me.  I remember walking into his dorm in college as a senior and he was a freshman. In his room, I was greeted by him, a life-size Uncle Sam inflatable figurine in a Buckeye jersey, and friends coming in and out. It is no surprise that was my favorite year of school in my life. Along with having faith in myself, he has taught me lessons I hold in my heart everyday--like the importance of connecting with others, making playlists on Spotify like he showed me at the law library coffee shop in college, finding joy in all parts of life, and remembering "you can't start a fire without a spark." You are--and always will be--my spark. I love you, brother. 

Jack Bonfiglio

I first met Amanda at our 4th grade back-to-school party, where we spent the evening doing cartwheels into the pool. There’s no better image to sum up our friendship than that, except perhaps texting one another late on a Friday night to find that we were reading the same page of the same book at the same time (The Hunger Games, #TeamPeeta). In the words of Shawn Spencer, “If any of you can look yourselves in the mirror and know that you’ve been half as good a friend to someone else as Gus has been to me, well you too can be considered great.” Regularly mistaken for my sister, it is only fitting that Amanda be my Maid of Honor. 

Amanda DeNardo

Jason has treated me like a brother and a friend since the day I met him. He let me be unapologetically me when getting to know the Simpson family—even if it meant sharing my love for the Yankees who he despises, and my distaste for Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse which he glorifies. I remember listening to Taylor Swift’s album “Midnights” twice through with him and Bridget at his apartment. He has taught me the importance of humility, and the importance of not just “playing it cool with the best of them,” but ALL of them!

Jason Simpson

I have known Jodie essentially her entire life. My Simpleelawsullhoff sister, we spent Sunday mornings together at church, Sunday afternoons together at Costco, and Sunday evenings together playing capture the flag, dancing ridiculous dances, and watching Aquamarine. Years later, I visited Jodie at OSU to see our favorite band, and she was the first person to hear about a handsome man named Frank who was about to take me on our first date. In the words of Walk the Moon, “What you don’t know now one day you’ll learn, that growing up is a heavy leaf to turn.” It was a gift to grow up with Jodie, and it is a gift to keep growing together. 

Jodie Lawson

Since third grade, Matt and I have found thrills in pizza nights, and yearly traditions. Our friendship has withstood the test of different high schools, different college campuses for a year, and different cities of residence. I remember one of us calling the other’s landline at early ages to set up our Friday plans. Always steady. Always structured. Often involving bike rides to the candy store, or filming our own "Deal or No Deal" episode. Or, even staging and directing our own haunted houses for people to walk through. Matt has taught me the importance of the priceless tag that is attached to the memories we create. “But the truth is, there’s nothing like old friends.” He is my oldest grade school friend. 

Matt Kolena

At Tara’s engagement party, Tara’s dad asked me to describe her in one word, and I immediately said, “loyal”. I can always count on Tara to be by my side, during big wonderful moments like my wedding day, and also during the quiet, boring, or hard moments. When I spent my junior year of high school sick at home with mono, Tara regularly skipped parties and football games to stay home with me and watch Finding Nemo, The Office, and Easy A. Tara is as classic and delightful as a glass of red wine, a bowl full of brownie batter, and a second basket of bread. In the words of Tara herself: “Mufasa.” 

Tara Hodge

Dan “Donnie” is my cousin who Jack and I got to grow up with together. Dan’s dad, Uncle Dave, once said the three of us walk around like one person. We’ve been "stuck like glue" our whole lives. Now, it is a a joy seeing him and his wife Alicia be such supporting and energetic parents to their daughters--Quinn and Georgie.  Dan and I both started at Ohio State together, since I transferred in from Bowling Green. We also survived a famous fireworks show put on by the Gstalder Brothers in Gaylord, Michigan. From trading baseball cards, to doing three-a-days for batting practice on vacations, he’s been a massive influence on my love for sports. Stand up for the champion!

Dan Garner

Katie is Frank’s big sister, and my sister-to-be. A big sister myself, I love hearing how much Frank looks up to Katie, his fellow Buckeye and teacher. I’ve had so much fun getting to know Katie over drinks at Moor Pat and Louie’s hover car at Friendship Fortress. At the last Bonfiglio wedding, we were kindred spirits in NEVER leaving the dance floor. In the words of Ke$ha, “Like it’s the last night of our lives, we’ll keep dancing till we die.” I am so excited to have Katie dancing by my side at our wedding and for all the years to come!

Katie Zaprowski

Levi is my cousin who matched my school years growing up. From catching tadpoles in Findlay, to inventing a world-class game called “Drag ‘Em In” you should ask any of the Bruce and Bonfiglio sibs about, to skiing in Utah and boating in St. Pete’s, I have always admired the energy and charisma Levi leads his life with. He’s also been a major influence on why I love music so much—famously requesting “Piano Man” to the Cedar Point Millennium Force DJ that once graced patrons with beats in line. We will never forget jamming to music in the Cadillac meeting his brother, Spencer, at Red River Gorge. 

Levi Bruce

Carly is Frank’s younger sister, and my sister-to-be. I first met Carly at Jack and Lucia’s wedding, and we quickly bonded over our kindred spirits of travel and adventure. Carly has fearlessly led Frank and I to the literal corners of the earth (Cape Flattery, the most northwestern tip of the United States). When we announced we had booked the Summit Hotel for our wedding, she was the first to pour the wine to celebrate us. In the words of Hermione Granger, “Books! And cleverness! There are more important things–friendship, and bravery.” I am so lucky to be inspired by Carly’s friendship and bravery!

Carly Bonfiglio

Aaron and I first met playing fall baseball in fourth grade, coached by his dad. I knew nobody on the team, and Aaron was quick to take me in. He caught me in fourth grade, and though he played first base in high school, he still took time after each baseball practice to catch a bullpen for me. Him and his wife, Aly, have generously offered their homes and hosting skills to me in both Boston, and now in San Diego—where they live. These visits have now included spending time with their children who are big San Diego Padres fans: Poppy and Eden.  It has "all made sense" near baseball diamonds our whole lives, and at the McD's drive through--always ordering the exact same thing. 

Aaron Okuley

Meredith, better known as "Friend", was my dance partner long before Frank. At our senior prom, we were literally the last two standing on the dance floor, which we had to ourselves for an entire hour after everyone else had left. Bold, bright Meredith inspires me to adventure, from boating through a pod of dolphins in the Carolina lowcountry to surfing together off the California coast. There is no better cheerleader to have by my side, on that surfboard or on my wedding day. In the words of Taylor Swift, “So make the friendship bracelets, take the moment and taste it, you’ve got no reason to be afraid.”As always: Carpe Diem, Friend. And Carpe Dancem.

Meredith Barteck

Tony and I laced up baseball cleats together as kids, and swam the shores of Myrtle Beach together in high school. Our friendship took off in sixth grade, when our English teacher read aloud his wonderful Call of the Wild essay where he bent the instructions, and wrote the entire assignment from the perspective of Buck the dog. He is an avid lover of all sport teams up north, and has taught me the importance of “the common touch," where he has a welcoming energy towards all people he meets. Tony also introduced me to one of my favorite places: The Cinemark Movie Theatre. You can see us there often munching on our self-invented candy bags. 

Tony Ranazzi

I am so lucky to have had Cyle by my side not only as my middle school classmate, but now as my grown-up coworker. Young Bridget would have been so lost without her fellow Glee fan, and to this day we celebrate the first snow of every year by listening to Kurt and Blaine’s rendition of “Let it Snow” together. The Tolkien to my Lewis, Cyle has not only read every word I’ve ever written, but also listened faithfully to my rambling ideas over voice notes. Cyle fills my mind with big ideas and my lungs with big laughs. In the words of Captain Jack Sparrow, “Not all treasure’s silver and gold, mate.” To know Cyle is indeed a treasure. 

Cyle Cucinotta

Mark “Flisman” and I had our friendship launch in our sophomore English Class. We had a teacher notorious for letting students sleep in class. We would often give shrugs when reading stories like “The Most Dangerous Game,” while 23/28 students in our class had drool seeping out of sunken heads. When I worked a difficult job in the designer shoe industry in college, Flisman volunteered his services to help--and taught me a ton about hard work. When our college house had tummies rumbling in hunger, Flisman fired up the grill with his Lawry’s salt.  When our college house needed stages for parties, Flisman built them. He’s a handyman, a great man, a great point guard, and a great friend. Him and his wife Janice have three children--Ivan, Isla, and Ike--and it has been an honor watching them raise their kids with so much love!

Mark Flis

Jenni and I lived down the hall from each other freshman year at Miami.  At the end of the year, we said a dramatic, tearful goodbye–only to run into each other again the next day. Fast forward to senior year, when we took our “last selfie ever”–which was, in fact, far from our last selfie ever. Luckily no matter how many dramatic goodbyes we exchange, “Jenni-Bridget time” is here to stay, full of rocks to climb, Tik Tok dances to learn, and Dancing with the Stars to discuss. In the words of Kelsea Ballerini, “Call a car, hop a plane…no conditions I’d follow you to the moon, no suit.” Thanks for hopping yet another plane to Ohio, JMak!

Jenni Maki

At the time of our wedding, Louie will be nearly three years old! He is a sweet older brother, and a wonderful son to his wonderful parents of Katie and Jordan. At the time of writing this, he loves singing the ABC’s to himself in the morning, or other hits such as Baby Beluga or Chappell Roan’s Hot to Go. He always finds joy in playing, and his books. Him and his parents for Halloween dressed as characters in one of his favorite books: Dragons Love Tacos! He celebrated dogs on his first birthday, and zoo animals on his second. We are eagerly waiting for his 3rd birthday theme on August 21st.

Louis Zaprowski

Reese will be turning 1 on October 3rd! She is Louie’s younger sister! Reese has enjoyed meeting so many family members, friends, and neighbors in her early months. She shows them all so much patience and love! She especially enjoys hugs from her big brother, watching him play, and seeing him learn her name! She also loves going on walks in the neighborhood with her parents and dog, Winston! Her neighborhood in October is gorgeous with the fall colors. She is looking forward to having this as a backdrop for all her birthdays to come!

Reese Zaprowski

Wedding Party

Q + A

The Summit Hotel is our venue for the Welcome Drink on Friday, the Reception on Saturday, and brunch on Sunday. We recommend staying here if you want to be where the action is happening! If the booking link says there are no more rooms available in the block, please text Bridget or Frank and we will get more rooms added!

The Holiday Inn is just a short, 4-minute walk from the Summit Hotel. Unlike the Summit, The Holiday Inn has a pool!

The Holiday Inn

Church Parking

Parking is available at the church (Map above)and on the street and in paid areas (Map below)

Travel

A food hall filled with all your favorite cuisines, right across the street from the Summit Hotel.

The Eatery

A beautiful local park, with a playground for kids!

Ault Park

A local brewery right next to brother of the bride Jason Simpson's apartment!

MadTree Brewing

A popular Japanese bakery walking distance from the church, for anyone seeking coffee or pastries before or after the ceremony!

Cafe Mochiko

The closest Skyline Chili for those looking to get their fix, or interested in trying the local cuisine!

Skyline Chili

Local Cincinnati ice cream. Frank &amp; Bridget's favorite flavor is Buckeye Blitz!

Bridget & Franklin