Jason and Joey’s New Year’s Eve meeting has led to their happily ever after on March 3.
You’ve probably seen Jason Lambert and his fiancé, Joey, around town, since both of them are staples in Orlando’s restaurant and bar scene. Jason owns The Hammered Lamb (the moniker is derived from his last name) and they met while Jason was working on building the bar after leaving The Stardust Lounge.
“I’d been picking up shifts at Brink and The Lodge, and at the last minute, I decided to work a shift at Brink on New Year’s Eve,” says Lambert. Joey came in with a group of friends and Jason noticed him immediately. “He hung out at the bar and we talked all night. After we closed up, Joey and I went out for breakfast — but we never made it! A few weeks later he moved in, and that was five years ago.”
Jason was ready to commit right away. The day after they met, Jason told some friends that he met the guy he was going to marry. “Joey had a five-year rule, though,” says Lambert. “He needed to be with someone for five years before he got married.”
Three years into their relationship, Joey planned the proposal secretly with Jason’s family and popped the question on Christmas Eve 2015. “I think he knew it would shut me up about getting married,” says Lambert. “I had absolutely no idea, and my whole family knew. We were at my sister’s house with my parents.” Joey came out into the living room in a suit and once he started talking, Jason’s nerves kicked in. “I finally realized what was happening when I saw how nervous he was,” says Lambert. “I started crying at that point and the rest is kind of a blur of happiness.”
Planning the wedding has largely fallen on Jason and their general manager at Little Lamb Catering and The Hammered Lamb, Nikki Price. “I am definitely the stressed-out one,” says Lambert. “But that’s true of our whole relationship.” Between Jason and Joey, Jason is always the high-strung half and Joey stays cool and calm.
It’s no surprise that the vendors they’ve chosen for the wedding are a selection of some of Orlando’s best-loved small businesses and top-notch entertainers. Trina Gregory-Propst, chef/owner at Se7en Bites will create the couples’ signature desserts, and Jamie McFadden and Kevin Fonzo will tag team the catering. “We had our anniversary dinner every year on New Year’s Eve at K Restaurant,” says Lambert, leading to their decision to hire Fonzo, K Restaurant’s former chef/owner. “And we also always try to support local businesses when possible.”
On March 3, 2018, Jason and Joey will say “I do” and dance the night away to tunes by the six-piece Bread and Butter Band from Jacksonville under the venue’s romantic twinkle lights. Sunday, they’ll host a brunch for their families and friends who traveled to be a part of their special day.
“As a gay couple in our community,” says Acevedo, “it’s important to us to exercise the hard-earned right to be recognized in the eye of the law, just as any other loving couple looking to solidify their relationship.” Lambert and Acevedo both believe that they need to be an example to future generations and show the wonderful things that can happen when “love wins.”
“I can’t wait to introduce Jason as my husband,” says Joey. “I’m also looking forward to the little things post-marriage, like framing our marriage license and going on dates in the City Beautiful as a newlywed couple.”
ENGAGEMENT DATE: December 24, 2015
WEDDING DATE: March 3, 2018
VENUE: The Mezz, The Veranda at Thornton Park
FLOWERS: Lee James
COLORS: Navy, burgundy, gold
DJ or BAND NAME: The Bread and Butter Band from Jacksonville
CATERER: Kevin Fonzo, executive chef, Art in Voyage, and president of The Kevin Fonzo Foundation, and Jamie McFadden, executive chef and owner of Cuisiniers Catering
OFFICIANT: Blue Star and Jim Martinek
DESSERTS: Se7en Bites, Trina Gregory-Propst, chef/owner
WEDDING PLANNER: Nikki Price, general manager, Little Lamb Catering and The Hammered Lamb
PHOTOGRAPHER/VIDEOGRAPHER: Chris Stephenson, Snap Out Loud
