Hannah & Yash

Hannah Jones & Yash Sokolowski on May 4, 2019

When Hannah Jones stopped by a friend’s apartment on the way to a concert, she was introduced to his roommate, Charles Sokolowski. “By no means was it love at first sight,” recalls Hannah, who admits the two didn’t really hit it off at first. Nevertheless, they stayed in touch, and by the time they met again a few months later, the indifference had turned to ardor. Charles, who goes by his middle name, Yash, proceeded to woo Hannah with boat rides around Newport Harbor and visits to his family’s cottage in Maine. “We have wildly different personalities,” acknowledges Hannah, “with Yash being incredibly extroverted and friendly, and me a bit more reserved. But we found a lot of commonality in our love of the water and the outdoors.” — By Fred Albert / Newport Life magazine March/April 2020

“We are proud to be Newporters and really couldn’t imagine doing our wedding anywhere else.”

Falling Hard

About five years after they met, Yash accompanied Hannah to a conference in Sun Valley, Idaho, where Hannah experienced a few nasty wipeouts on her skis. After pausing for lunch at the summit, Hannah noticed that Yash was nervous, and attributed it to her performance on the slopes that morning. But as they left the restaurant to retrieve their gear, Yash proposed. Hannah accepted immediately, but refused to wear the ring — for fear she might lose it during another spill.

Making an Entrance

The couple were wed in Trinity Church. (“How many people can say they were married in a church that George Washington, Queen Elizabeth II and Desmond Tutu have attended services in?” Hannah asks.) The couple knew from the start they wanted to have their reception at the Lobster Bar, where they often sipped cocktails while watching the sun set. “It was important for us to choose a venue that was atypical of most wedding venues and felt uniquely us,” Hannah explains. She and Yash arrived at the reception in a powerboat and found their guests gathered on the restaurant’s deck to greet them.

The Run for the Roses

Exquisite Events dressed the space to suit the couple’s “rustic-meets-nautical” theme, with lots of white flowers, natural greenery and wood furnishings illuminated by strings of white market lights. Since the wedding coincided with the running of the Kentucky Derby, guests watched the race on TV while sipping mint juleps, and red roses were sprinkled among the florals.

Where are They Now?

After honeymooning in the Bahamas, the couple returned to Middletown, where Hannah is an environmental analyst at Warren Rogers Associates and Yash is service manager at Hinckley Yachts.

Featured Vendors

Photographer: Will & D Photography
Ceremony Venue: Trinity Church
Reception Venue, Catering: The Lobster Bar
Planner: Leila Ryan Events
Decor Rental: Exquisite Events
Bridal Gown: Alexandra’s Boutique
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu
Suits: Generation Tux
Hair: Julie Rose Beauty
Makeup: Everyday Siren Makeup Artistry
Flowers: Robin Hollow Farm
Bridal Party Transportation: Viking Tours
Rings: Baxters Fine Jewelry
Invitations: Minted.com
Reception entertainment: DJ Action Jackson, Scratch Wedding
Rehearsal Dinner: Mission
Guest Accommodations: Hotel Viking