Jodie, James and I sat down in a comfortable living room to discuss their wedding. The meeting was just a couple blocks from my house and I could have walked over. Jodie’s parents were practically my neighbors. Even their house number was only slightly different than my own. Strangely, it felt as though I was meeting with neighbors. I say strangely because Jodie and James live so far away. They were in town visiting from Boston, where they live. James is actually from much, much further away. By the end of the meeting, we had their wedding all planned out, I had met some new neighbors, and could not wait for April to roll around.
On their wedding day, we got just a little lucky. After days of brilliant sunshine, it began to look ominously like rain. OK, it doesn’t sound lucky, but it was. The rain, as it turns out, held off just for the wedding. Jodie and James are lucky as well. Across continents, they found each other. Jodie was living in Boston with roommate found through an ad. According to her roommate-now-maid-of-honor, dating was a little rocky. James was in Boston after emigrating from Ireland. Luckily their paths crossed. Before long, we were all gathered in a living room to plan a wedding.
A what a wedding it was! You see, James and Jodie are so very nice. They welcome everyone like family. They are the type to ask about your day and genuinely care about your answer. Their wedding was filled with friends and family who were equally as kind. To say the wedding felt like a neighborhood would be an understatement. Below are just a few favorites of mine Jodie and James’ neighborly wedding at Westwood Country Club –
Details from the morning, just around the hallway from where Jodie, James and I first met.
Nervous excitement above. Below, Jodie and her mother waiting to leave for the ceremony.
Above – Our Lady of Angels looking gorgeous in the spring. Below – Jodie’s brother comforting their mom.
I love small wedding parties. They always seem a little more – personal.
Above – the gap in the trees looks like a sanctuary in a forest. Below – some private moments between Jodie and James.
Their first dance was amazing. Nearly everyone stood and look on at the new couple. Below, a really funny and really touching toast to Jodie and James.
I’m sometimes asked what I like most about weddings. It’s a toss up between a really good Best Man toast and the parents dances. I just love how proud parents are of their children. I have always strode to make my parents proud, so I certainly know the feeling. Because the pride is so easily seen during the parents dances, I end up sharing the dances again and again.
So that’s all for today. We will certainly have more coming soon, so check back often, or simply subscribe.