When it was the big day for reality TV stars Terra Jole and Joe Gnoffo of the Lifetime series “Terra’s Little Family,” it was an even bigger day for Emerson Creek Pottery and Tearoom owners Chris and Dave Demiduk.
Jole and Gnoffo tied the knot at the Demiduks’ Oswego farm, and the episode aired Sept. 2.
“It’s always fun to see our weddings, but this particular wedding has been really cool to watch unfold on TV,” Dave Demiduk said. “It gave us another perspective and we were able to get a behind-the-scenes look at this wonderful couple’s special day.”
Chris Demiduk shared the sentiment.
“We all had heard that Terra and Joe were a great couple,” Chris said. “Everyone involved was so excited for them to get married, and we were really excited for them to get married here.”
TV viewers first met Terra on “Little Women: L.A.,” the Lifetime series which follows a group of friends – all little people – as they deal with relationships, parenting and careers. “Terra’s Little Family” is a spin-off of that series, which follows Terra and Joe’s journey as they welcome a baby and subsequently tie the knot in Oswego.
The couple currently lives in California, but since Joe grew up in West Chicago, they wanted a Midwest wedding. Emerson Creek was one of several venues they considered.
“The venue had everything Joe and I wanted,” Terra said, in an email response. “Close to Chicago per Joe’s request, body of water on the property per my request, and country chic decor to make the Texan in me satisfied. Emerson Creek has an upscale country chic vibe with a feeling of home.”
Chris Demiduk said they were initially contacted May 8, about six weeks prior to the wedding, and learned they were chosen the following week. With only five weeks to plan, Emerson Creek’s creative director Joanna Goss worked closely with the production team and the couple’s wedding coordinator to ensure things went smoothly.
A week before the wedding, the cast and crew paid a visit to Emerson Creek.
“It was really fun to see all the work that goes into it,” Chris Demiduk said. “There were probably 40 crew members here working, putting in long hours and working around our schedule (because Emerson Creek is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). They were really respectful of our business so we did not have to shut down.”
About 75 guests attended the wedding, which included rustic accents, sunflowers and hues of cobalt blue chosen by the bride. The Demiduks’ son, Evan, 15, built a stage for the couple to stand on during the ceremony, as well as a ramp at the bar for the barn reception. The dinner of beef tenderloin, roasted carrots and smashed red skin potatoes was catered by My Chef of Naperville.
“When the filming was over, they all just stayed and enjoyed it,” Chris said. “You could tell the people who work on the show are friends with Joe and Terra, and they were so happy for them. Everyone was having a great time together.”
Chris and Dave Demiduk are no strangers to weddings at Emerson Creek. Along with exchanging their own vows there in 2010, the couple has hosted more than a hundred nuptials at their Oswego location over the past five years.
“Whether it’s on TV or not, we treat every wedding the same,” Chris Demiduk said. “It’s their special day.”
Jane Donahue is a freelance writer for The Beacon-News