Curated Texan
The Global Union, One To Remember, Has Its Roots In Texas
Photography by Monica Lubowicka
In a world where we so often hear how challenging dating can be, let this story be a beautiful reminder that love still finds a way, when Monica Dembski, of Houston, the daughter of Maria and Bill Dembski, recently married Jan Maciak, of Grójec, Warsaw, Poland, the son of Maria and Miroslaw Maciak, at their destination wedding in Poland. For those who love love, Monica and Jan’s journey is proof that everything happens at the right time. For the couple, it arrived in the form of a simple question, one that would change both of their lives forever, as Kelle Knight, best friend of the bride, learns and shares with us.
“What did you order?” Jan asked with a smile, standing at Monica’s table at Sultan restaurant in Miami. It was a humid February 2021 day, wrapped in music and chatter. Monica looked up, her eyes amused, and replied, “A salad and a chilled glass of white wine.”
Three Years Of Courtship
There were no pickup lines, no over-the-top introductions. Just two people in a restaurant, connecting over food and a spark neither of them expected. Monica was intrigued by Jan’s accent and asked where he was from. “Poland,” he said. That simple answer unlocked a more profound connection; Monica’s family also has roots in Poland. It became the first of many shared passions.
What began as a casual conversation turned into a friendship. For the next three months, they spent time as friends, laughing, learning, and realizing something rare was blooming.
They dated for nearly three years, slowly building a love story marked by adventure, conversation, and a shared curiosity for the world. From design projects and cooking experiments to long road trips, including a memorable 20-hour drive from Miami to Pennsylvania, they thrived not just in romantic moments but in the ordinary, too. Their love started in Miami, but they eventually ended up back in Austin, which they now call home, before the next step was underway. Their bond was never about the grand gestures (though Jan certainly had a few surprises in store).
The Proposal That Lit Up The Lake
When Jan decided to propose, it was clear he wasn’t going to do it quietly. On Monica’s 40th birthday, he arranged a private sunset cruise on Lady Bird Lake in Austin, surrounded by more than 30 of her closest friends.
After she blew out her birthday candles, Monica leaned in for a hug, where she felt a small box tucked inside Jan’s jacket, and in that instant, their eyes met with knowing smiles. With hearts full and time standing still, Jan dropped to one knee, asking the question that would forever change their lives.
She turned.
He dropped to one knee.
“Will you be my wife?”
The cheers, the tears, the laughter, it was everything love should feel like: joyful, honest, shared. The celebration continued at Broken Spoke with some two-step dancing fun, followed by a Longhorn win.
A Wedding Steeped In History And Heart
By June 2025, Monica and Jan stood hand in hand in Poland, a destination that honored their roots and the serendipity of their connection. They chose June and, surrounded by friends from the U.S. and family from Poland, Monica and Jan’s wedding was a heartfelt weekend of celebration, bringing together two worlds in the beautiful Polish countryside.
Guests first explored the charm of Old Town Warsaw before traveling 40 minutes beyond the city to Palace Mała Wieś, nestled among peaceful apple orchards. Built in 1786 and commissioned by royal advisor Bazyli Walicki, the neoclassical estate has endured centuries of Polish history and now stands restored as a symbol of grace, legacy, and quiet grandeur. The bride was attended by her Maid of Honor, Amanda Dembski, and Matron of Honor, Maggie Fitzgerald. The groom’s brothers, Marek Maciak and Piotr Maciak, attended him.
The couple’s Catholic ceremony took place beneath the open sky at the garden gazebo, just below the Orangerie, surrounded by rose gardens, a gentle fountain, and centuries-old trees, where Monica and Jan exchanged vows in front of their 110 guests. The reception in the Orangerie was a true reflection of the couple’s style; soft shades of nudes, blush, warm oranges, and fresh greens filled the glass-walled space. Gold and crystal vases held elegant arrangements, while hundreds of flickering candles cast a romantic glow over the evening.
To kick off the festivities, Monica and Jan received the błogosławieństwo, a beloved Polish tradition in which the parents bless the bride and groom before they walk down the aisle, offering words of love, support, and well-wishes for their future together. After the ceremony, the parents greeted the newlyweds in front of the reception hall, carrying bread, salt, and vodka, symbolizing a life of abundance and balance for the newlyweds.
Polish Traditions & Cheers
Guests later chanted “Gorzko, Gorzko!,” meaning “bitter, bitter!” to coax the couple into a kiss that would sweeten the occasion. There’s no time limit; the kiss lasts as long as the crowd keeps chanting, creating a playful and heartwarming moment. Cherished Polish customs, such as the symbolic offering of bread and salt and spirited dancing, brought a deeper meaning to the night, celebrating not only Monica and Jan’s love story but also the cultures and communities that helped shape it.
The celebration continued the next day with a traditional Poprawiny brunch in the estate’s Glasshouse. Beneath clear blue skies and perfect 75-degree weather in early summer, guests enjoyed live grilling stations, accompanied by Aperol Spritz served from vintage Prosecco vans, and the easy joy of a morning shared among family and friends.
From Warsaw’s cobbled streets to the timeless beauty of Mała Wieś, Monica and Jan’s wedding was a celebration of tradition, connection, and a love that began with a simple question and turned into forever.
The bride, who graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, works in advertising, while the groom, who graduated from West Chester University in Pennsylvania, works in real estate. The couple celebrated with a mini-moon in Ibiza and are planning an extended honeymoon for a few months after their nuptials, which were a destination wedding.
Let this love story be a reminder that everything happens for a reason… and that timing is everything.
