Scene Together: Couples on Their Wedding Day

By Jacqueline Miller

Chlöe Alexandra Sweetman & Geoffrey David West

December 15, 2018

When your parents are Linda DiGabriele, Managing Director of Asolo Rep, and the talented photographer Gary Sweetman, it’s apparent you’ve grown up surrounded by the arts. So when it came time for Chlöe Sweetman to select a venue for her dream wedding, she naturally wanted an atmosphere that suited hers and her soon-to-be husband’s personalities. They chose the intimate yet powerful setting of the Orlando Museum of Art. But let’s go back to the beginning…

Chlöe was born in Bradenton while Geoffrey was born about an hour and half away in Lake Wales.  She went to Manatee High School, received her BA in Anthropology from the University of South Florida, her MA in Biological Anthropology from USF, and is contemplating pursuing her Ph.D. Geoffrey went to Lake Wales Senior High School, received his BA in Religious Studies and Philosophy from USF, his Master of Public Administration from USF, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Measurement and Research at USF. His parents are Karen and John Holman of Babson Park, Florida.

Of course the common denominator was USF, which is where they met when Chlöe was in her first year as an undergraduate. They were helping a mutual friend move into her dorm. Eventually Chlöe and Geoffrey starting hanging out with the same group of friends and became friends as well. At the end of Chlöe’s sophomore year, Geoffrey asked Chlöe out, but given that it was during final exams she told him he would have to wait for her answer. Right before she had to leave the country for three weeks, she told Geoffrey yes. The couple dated for four and a half years. During a trip to Cuba in the summer of 2017, Geoffrey proposed to Chlöe on the evening of July 26 – Cuba’s Revolution Day – at the Bay of Havana with music from the festivities floating across the water.   

While Chlöe finished her master’s and Geoffrey continued to work on his Ph.D., the couple planned their wedding. During that time, Chlöe got a job as a research assistant over 6,000 miles away in Samoa and faced the challenging task of doing some of her planning from the other side of the world. She returned to Sarasota in October 2018 to be a bridesmaid at her best friend’s wedding and finished the planning for her own special day on December 15 at the Orlando Museum of Art where they celebrated their love surrounded by artwork and grandeur.

Chlöe is a research analyst at the Florida College Access Network. Geoffrey is a graduate teaching assistant at USF.  The couple honeymooned in our lovely Naples a few hours south.

Photographer: Tibor Imley | DJ: Fitz Otis | Rentals: Longwood Events | Venue: Orlando Museum of Art | Caterer: Levan’s Catering | Dress: CC’s Bridal Boutique

Meredith Headings & Jorge Canepa

December 15, 2018

You know her better as Meredith Michaels, making us laugh each day on our morning drive with David Jones and Billy Jack of the Jones and Company show on 107.9 WSRZ. A Manatee High graduate, Meredith has lived in the Sarasota/Bradenton area since 1987. She is the daughter of James and Lilli Powers of Bradenton, Jill Headings of Lake Ariel, PA, and the late Ron Headings, formerly of Bradenton.

Little did she know that when she was ready to search for true love, she would find it by “swiping right” on the wildly popular dating app, Tinder. Her perfect match also decided to “swipe right” after seeing Meredith, and their romance began.

Jorge Canepa, the man “on the right” of the swipe, is a strength and conditioning coach who trains both professional athletes and anyone who needs his help at his Tampa gym, Core Performance Institute. He is referred to by many he trains as an “awesome person and great coach.” Born in San Juan and raised in Miami, Jorge attended American Senior High School. His parents are Jorge Canepa and Irma Muratti of San Juan.

While Tinder may have brought them together, the love, passion, respect and compatibility that quickly developed has kept them together. It didn’t take long for Jorge to realize he was ready for a lifetime commitment.

While celebrating Jorge’s birthday at the home of friends Whitney and Joey Rivera with two of Meredith’s best friends who were also celebrating birthdays that same week, the setting was perfect for Jorge’s plan since many of their friends and family were there. After everyone sang “Happy Birthday” and candles were blown out, Jorge’s friend asked him if he got everything he wished for on his birthday. Jorge then took Meredith’s engagement ring out of his pocket, got down on one knee and said, “My only other wish is if you would marry me.” She said, yes, and they did.

At their wedding, Jorge wore his late grandfather’s vintage tuxedo. Meredith’s grandfather, Jim Sterling, and her uncle, Gail Sterling, officiated the ceremony and brought down the house. After the ceremony, Meredith and Jorge both changed into tennis shoes so they could dance all night. It was a pair of Kate Spade sparkly Keds for Meredith. She surprised Jorge with brand new Air Jordan Concord 11s that just came out the week of their wedding. And since Meredith is a huge pizza fan, they had a late-night pizza station at the reception.

The couple chose Park City, Utah for their honeymoon where they shopped, went snowmobiling, and enjoyed many of Park City’s great restaurants. Then it was on to Las Vegas, where, as Meredith put it, “you know, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas!”   

Vendors: Planner: Jennifer Matteo Event Planning | Venue & Catering: Art Ovation Hotel | Photographer: Salvador Robles Photography | Florals: Oh Darling Events | Cake: Cakes by Ron | Officiant: James Sterling | Hair & Makeup:  Brides by Kelly Anne | Band: JAC of All Trades, Jonathan Cortez | Rentals:  US Tent Rental | Lighting & Draping: Palacios Events