This Groom First Fell For His Future Bride While Interviewing Her For a Job (Needless to Say, She Was Hired!)

Written by Erica Sloan | Published on October 20, 2017

Like many soul mates, Kimberly Chan and Gabriel Rosenberg attended the same college (Penn State) and even pursued the same major (kinesiology)—but no, they didn’t meet in a lecture hall or at a local college bar, or actually anywhere on campus. They graduated without having ever crossed paths, but fate brought them together not long after. Read on for their story, with photographs by Rebekah Emily Photography.

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In the summer after graduating, Gabriel (who goes by Gabe) was hired to manage a health club in State College. When Kimberly (who goes by Kim) arrived there for an interview with Gabe, he was struck first by her beauty, and soon after, by her thoughtful responses to his questions. As the conversation progressed, he started to fall for her. “Needless to say, I got the job!” Kim jokes.

The two new co-workers became fast friends, but kept their growing feelings for each other under wraps for several months. Until Gabe tricked Kim into going out with him, that is. He’d asked her to join him and his friends at a local sports bar to watch a football game—but when she arrived, Gabe was alone. “He claimed his friends couldn’t make it,” Kim says, “but I was on to him before too long…” Shortly after, their relationship turned romantic.

About five years later, Gabe made a reservation at a fancy Bethesda restaurant to propose while Kim’s family was in town for Thanksgiving. Returning from the car—where he’d escaped for a moment to grab the ring—Gabe found Kim sitting at a table in the center of the dining room.

“I kind of gave it away,” he admits, “when I asked them to move us to a private table.” And particularly, one with six place settings.

Fighting back nerves, Gabe put off the proposal until the last possible moment. Just after he popped the big question, Kim’s family members arrived to celebrate.

The meadow in front of the 1850’s Greek Revival manor at Glen Ellen Farm was the site of Kim and Gabe’s rustic outdoor ceremony. Pastels—like pale pink bridesmaid’s dresses and light gray tuxes for the groomsmen—complemented the green and white of the landscape and decor. Hydrangeas, roses, and silver dollar eucalyptus transformed the space into a lush spring garden.

Something of an unlikely choice, the cocktail hour was Kim’s favorite part of her big day. “The hors d’oeuvres,” she says, “were amazing, and the excitement coming off of the ceremony and starting the celebration was like magic.” Among the tasty small bites were bacon-wrapped figs with chèvre and avocado spring rolls from Canapés.

For their reception, Kim and Gabe brought the spring-garden theme beneath a white tent, with all-white decor punctuated by pops of greenery.

After a romantic first dance to “Crazy Love” by Van Morrison, the newlywed couple sliced into a lemon cake with Italian buttercream frosting from Ed’s Country Bakery. S’mores-making festivities by an outdoor bonfire ended the reception on a sweet note, before everyone headed to an after-party at a local bar, complete with live music and late-night snacks.