Jackie Dubrovich and Brian Kaneshige have devoted most of their lives to fencing. Somewhere between navigating the hectic and demanding lives of professional athletics, they managed to foster a love story, too.
Although they knew of each other as teenagers through competitive fencing in New Jersey, it took a trip across the Atlantic Ocean for them to connect. While in Slovakia for the 2011 Junior Foil World Cup, Jackie and Brian quickly became friends. After bonding over a shared sense of humor, the pair started dating. The couple competed together for years before Brian switched to coaching. At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Jackie, 30, took home a gold medal for Team USA in women’s foil with Brian, 31, coaching at her side.
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Brian, a Harvard alumnus, hinted early on in their relationship that he’d propose to Jackie on the Ivy League campus. Naturally, she was a little suspicious in 2019 when Brian planned a weekend trip to Boston. Kneeling in front of Memorial Church on Harvard’s campus, he popped the question.
“It was very us,” says Jackie about their intimate engagement.
The Covid-19 pandemic and the intense training for the Olympics caused their wedding to take a back seat for years. “I had so many other goals that I was pursuing that they just took up all my mental energy,” says Jackie.
Jackie and Brian’s schedules were spread even thinner in 2024 when they opened their own instructional fencing facility, Polaris Fencing Center in Orange.
Fueled by their desire to keep things simple and not spend too much money—and partially after getting tired of everyone asking when the big day was—the pair spontaneously planned their wedding in just a few weeks last fall. The couple decided on having a town hall ceremony in Maplewood, where they live.
“Something that was very important to us was to do it on our own time and on our own terms,” says Jackie. Brian adds: “We always wanted to do things pretty low-key.”
Their friend, Maplewood Mayor Nancy Adams, officiated. She had the building opened just for them the day after Thanksgiving, November 29, 2024. Jackie and Brian had an intimate ceremony surrounded by a handful of friends and family members. Afterward, the group enjoyed brunch at Artie’s, their favorite Maplewood restaurant and pizzeria.
Jackie’s tea-length dress and earrings came from Anthropologie. A pair of open-toe Badgley Mischka heels completed her look. Brian wore a custom suit from Shanghai that he picked up during their travels for the Fencing World Cup.
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For other couples considering a smaller or city hall wedding, Jackie advises, “As much as you can, stay true to yourselves and just do what you feel is organic to you and your relationship.”
For Jackie and Brian, marriage proved to be the chef’s kiss on an already solid bond formed by the pressure, travel requirements and spotlight of professional sports.
“We’ve been through so much and have been together for so many years,” Jackie says. “All these things that we’ve encountered and the unique circumstances that we’ve been through together, those were true tests of our relationship. Marriage was just the icing on top.”
Photographer Tracy Sham Photography Reception Artie’s in Maplewood Bouquet & Boutonniere Brave Floral Rings Beacon Jewelers Bride’s Dress & Earrings: Anthropologie Bride’s Shoes Badgley Mischka Groom’s Suit Custom-made in Shanghai
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