Local Weddings: Lauren Tokarski and Clinton Brown

The Couple. Lauren Tokarski, 24, and Clinton Brown, 24, grew up together, attending the same middle school and high school. During sophomore year, the two were placed in the same history class, and it didn’t take long for Clint to ask Lauren to be his girlfriend. He did so on her parent’s front porch, marking the beginning of their courtship. After high school, they faced the challenges of a long-distance relationship when Lauren attended George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, and Clint was accepted to the United States Naval Academy. However, the two did not let miles and school pressure discourage them. In her senior year of college, Lauren found herself once again on the front steps of her parents’ home, where Clint mustered the courage to ask the next big question. Almost six years to the day, Clint asked Lauren to marry him. How do you think she answered?

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Before Saying “I do.” Immediately, Lauren, a graphic designer, put her skills to good use and designed save-the-date cards. Clint continued with his grueling studies as a ‘Firstie,’ while Lauren searched for her ideal wedding dress. She found it in the second store she and her mother visited, and they proceeded to order the trumpet-style gown in pure white to match Clint’s summer uniform. Choosing the venue was another swift decision, as Clint’s parents were married almost 30 years earlier at the Naval Academy Chapel. Lauren and Clint were determined to follow tradition. As luck would have it, they were able to secure a date immediately following Commissioning Week, a time of year in especially high demand for midshipmen and their fiancés. The Venues. Lauren whispered in her father’s ear as they stood arm and arm: “Please do not say anything too Dad-like. It might make me cry.” Her father lovingly obliged and walked his little girl down the aisle towards her handsome husband-to-be. The ceremony seemed to be over in a fl ash, Lauren and Clint later recalled, and then it was on to the reception held at the N* Room at another Navy landmark, the Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The room had transformed into a summer garden party, featuring a unique teal and red color palette. Paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, while Lauren’s artistic touches were spotted in the table numbers, the seating cards, the guestbook and the favors. Clint had the brilliant idea to provide guests with an unpretentious, totally red candy buffet to match the room’s décor. After dinner by Bo Brooks catering, several toasts, and dancing the night away, it was time to say good-bye.

Married Life. Mr. and Mrs. Brown had a plane to catch, headed to Barcelona, Spain, where they boarded a Mediterranean cruise ship that toured the Italian and French coasts. They spent time in Florence, Rome, Monaco, Marseilles, and other enchanting places. After a whirlwind two weeks in Europe, the couple returned to the states and settled into married life. After talking about it for so long, “it was so nice to fi nally be husband and wife offi cially,” says Lauren. The couple moved to Pensacola, Florida, at the end of summer, where Ensign Clint Brown is attending fl ight school to become a Navy Pilot. Lauren’s focus has been decorating their new home, and oh, yes, they both wanted a puppy. So before, Lauren and Clint even think about having children, they welcomed a new member to their family—their beloved miniature dachshund, Milo. —Alexandra Bertrand

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