Boston Public Library

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Hey Guests: 

Please allow me to regale you with the tale of how Amanda and I came to meet, fall in love, and decide to get married. It is a long one, so perhaps make some tea or a cocktail before we begin. (We are talking years here, people.) 













You back? Okay great.&nbsp; Our story begins in the late summer of 2008, when Amanda and I were freshmen at Trinity.&nbsp; Our interactions back then were what you would probably call "incidental." (Sexy, right?) &nbsp;We hung out because we were in similar clubs and had overlapping friends (shoutout: Nora Keller and Emily Lee.) but&nbsp;both dated other people for the lion's share of college.&nbsp;I do distinctly remember the first time I really noticed how cute she was. She was playing one of the moms in Romeo & Juliet, I am not sure which one, but I suspect Lady Montague. Anyway, there was this fight scene and she had these sticks. Very scary. (She looked great though). &nbsp;It wasn't until&nbsp;early in our senior year that&nbsp;our friendship grew close and we, as kids these days would put it, "caught the feels." 















Hate to ruin the romantic mystique folks, but our love story isn't founded upon some meet-cute, love-at-first-sight kind of thing. It grew slowly, developing over countless conversations, trips for coffee, happy hours gorging on half-priced apps and drinks at&nbsp;Cuvee&nbsp; in West Hartford (R.I.P.).&nbsp; We were both dealing with respective issues in our relationships at the time and we both needed each other for support. We talked about what we wanted and, at least in my case, how my relationship at the time just wasn't providing it. We&nbsp;shared our values and our aspirations.&nbsp;&nbsp;In retrospect, it was the first time Amanda served in what would come to be her most important role in my life -- my best friend.&nbsp; It took months, but I eventually came to realize that I was with the wrong girl. That, in fact, the right&nbsp;girl was the one sitting next to me on the couch until 2 AM, pouring me more wine and listening to me vent.&nbsp; (Author's note: I can't speak for Amanda, but I have it on good authority that she too felt this same way on this exact same night.) 















Alas, as would later be a recurring theme in our relationship, we ran into&nbsp;a common hazard for&nbsp;many a budding romance:&nbsp;bad timing.&nbsp;At the time, Amanda was: 1) still in a relationship with&nbsp;someone who wasn't me, 2) about to move across the country for a year, and 3)&nbsp;one of my&nbsp;best friends, which, you know, complicates things. &nbsp;Three insurmountable hurdles that meant I just needed to be cool and be patient. (Author's note: being "cool" and being patient are two things I have literally never done well. see e.g. the Hawaiian shirts I wore to elementary school.)&nbsp; That did not stop us from being friends, however, and thankfully that part of our relationship continued unabated. 















The year Amanda was gone sucked. I mean, don't get me wrong, I am very glad she did it. But I was dealing with the aftertaste of my recently ended long-term relationship (not too well) and the sudden loss of my sounding board left me feeling a little unmoored. We talked a lot, sure. But it wasn't the same.&nbsp; This was sort of the status quo for a while, even after she came back from L.A. I think we were both a little unsure about how dating would impact our friendship. Also there was the pesky fact that I was in law school in Philadelphia and she was in law school in Boston (Boo, Harvard).&nbsp; We dated other people, but she was always in the back of my mind. 















FINALLY in March, 2015 things changed. I am really not sure exactly what changed, but something did. We started talking a lot more and (now that we were both finally single) those conversations drifted more toward "us" and what that would look like. I suggested she stop by Philadelphia on her way to New Orleans that summer and she agreed. We had our first official date on a rainy weekend in May. (She wore a yellow dress and looked, in my admittedly biased opinion, like sunlight personified.) Just before she left, I asked her if she, yanno, wanted to maybe date me exclusively sorta? (Spoiler alert: she said yes.) 















And so began a long distance romance that spanned three years (and counting. Sorry, babe).&nbsp;Manda spent the summer in New Orleans while I stayed in Philadelphia. We certainly had to get creative with dates in our early relationship. (We once went on a date&nbsp;to Atlanta. Swear to God. We both flew to Altanta for a date. Most people go for like dinner or something one month in. It was pretty baller.) But we made it through that summer and every summer since.&nbsp; Sometimes I wonder if our friends and family though the whole distance thing would be too much and that it wouldn't work out. I am sure some of them did. Maybe all of them.&nbsp; Unclear. All I know is that I never doubted us for a second. (Not even being cute because I know she's reading this, honestly).&nbsp; From day one the distance was never really an issue for me. Obviously, it sucks. 100%. I put 30,000 miles on my car in a year and get an oil change every two months. But the alternative is unfathomably worse. 















Being in a long-distance relationship has also made us trust each other unequivocally. It&nbsp;means we need to&nbsp;be good at&nbsp;communicating, prioritizing&nbsp;spending time together, and balancing work with our commitments to our friends and family. All of those things means a stronger relationship&nbsp;in the end.&nbsp;&nbsp;So while not being able to spend an entire&nbsp;Sunday&nbsp;lounging on the couch watching Netflix&nbsp;stinks,&nbsp;there has been an upside. 















So yeah, I think the rest is, as they say, history. I asked her to marry me last&nbsp;June. (She&nbsp;*eventually* said yes, which is a separate funny story I would be happy to tell you at the wedding). We got a dog&nbsp;at the end of April (Scout, the Goldendoodle who stole our hearts and our restful&nbsp;sleep the moment we brought her home).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Otherwise we are getting ready for the big day. People keep asking me if I am nervous. I guess that is a&nbsp;pretty common thing&nbsp;for people to ask; marriage is a big step. The funny thing is I am more nervous about how not nervous I am. (Make sense?)&nbsp; It feels so right and I am&nbsp;really just&nbsp;excited that I get to spend the rest of my life with someone so awesome.&nbsp; Someone great who, for some reason entirely unknown to me, decided to pick me. 















Anyway, I think you have all you need to know, friends. Sorry if you came here expecting some Nicholas-Sparks-meets-Hallmark-Channel love story. That's just not our style, but&nbsp;I&nbsp;feel that&nbsp;it is&nbsp;just as meaningful nonetheless. Instead, I always tend to think about falling in love with Amanda like&nbsp;waves forming&nbsp; in the Ocean, starting off&nbsp;as small ripples on the horizon, then slowly but surely building into something awesome and powerful.&nbsp; She's the most incredible person I have ever met. Seriously.&nbsp; 















Can't wait to celebrate into the wee hours with each and every one of you in a few months! 















Best, 















Jim

Our Story (As told by Jim) 

Our Story

Details

Photos

The notorious Ritabear. Mom of Honor and wedding planner&nbsp;extraordinaire.&nbsp;

Ritabear

My&nbsp;Dad has always been the number one guy in my life, so it is only fitting that he be the number one guy on my wedding day.&nbsp; For as long as I can remember, Coach Bo has been my example on how to behave, how to work, and how to be a great partner and father. He's done a damn good job in all categories from my perspective! I can't wait for him to stand next to me and support me on our big day, just as he has for the past 25&nbsp;[ ; ) ]&nbsp;years of my life. Love you, Dad! 

(P.S: Dad, if you're reading this, keep the embarrassing stories to a minimum.&nbsp; You know how red my ears get when I am embarrassed.) 

Coach Bo

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

Cut off date for the room block is September 7, 2018! Book soon to ensure your room!

Boston Marriott Cambridge

Boston Logan International Airport

Travel

Explore Beantown with a hilarious ConDUCKtor® behind the wheel of an amphibious World War II vehicle. Ride the DUCK by downtown landmarks like Faneuil Hall and the Freedom Trail, and then ease into the water for a scenic cruise along the waterfront of the Charles River.
Climb aboard the open-air DUCK and take a seat as your ConDUCKtor sets off for a quacks- and laughs-filled tour of Boston by land and by sea. Pass by the gold-domed State House, ride past the fashionable shops of elegant Newbury Street, check out the food vendors of Quincy Market, and gaze up at Bunker Hill’s monument to the famous Revolutionary War battle that took place there.
Break out in song as you pass the pub where Cheers was filmed—everybody there may not know your name, but you definitely know the tune. Check out Old Ironsides as you approach the water—the USS Constitution was named by President George Washington, circled the world in the 1840s, and has stood proudly in the Charlestown Navy Yard since she was retired in 1881.
From there, splash into the river and putter along the waterfront. These waters are where revolution-era Bostonians famously filled the harbor with tea. Admire the Boston and Cambridge skylines and listen as your drive and guide shares entertaining tidbits, little-known facts, and entertaining anecdotes about the city’s nearly 400-year-old past.

Boston Duck Tours

Immerse yourself in the marine world at the New England Aquarium. Explore more than 70 exhibits, including the Science of Sharks, Penguin Colony, and Giant Ocean Tank. Spot color-changing cuttlefish, leisurely sea turtles, and mustachioed fur seals. You can even upgrade your trip with an IMAX® movie.
Bring the whole family to the aquarium and wander among the exhibits to see aquatic animals from across the world. Stop at the Giant Ocean Tank, which features crystal-clear views of sharks, sea turtles, stingrays, and thousands of tropical fish. Next, enjoy a hands-on, kid-friendly experience at the Shark and Ray Touch Tank. Reach your hands into the mangrove-themed exhibit and pet friendly cownose rays, Atlantic rays, and epaulette sharks.
The Science of Sharks section allows you to find out even more about these ancient fish. Learn about the lifestyles of the striped pyjama shark, the reef-crawling Halmahera walking shark, and relaxed epaulette shark. Stroll over to the open-air Marine Mammal Center to spot seals and sea lions as they play in their watery world.
If you want even more cuteness, visit the Penguin Colony. These stealthy swimmers hail from cold climates across the Southern Hemisphere and are ready to show you why birds don't always need to fly. Listen for the funny bray of African penguins, watch the spiky-haired rockhoppers, and fawn over the adorable little blue penguins. You can choose to enhance your journey with a 3D film in the Simons IMAX® Theatre.

New England Aquarium with Optional Ticket for IMAX® Theater

Live it up Boston-style and journey back to the one of the most significant turning points in American history. Visit restored ships and throw tea into the Boston Harbor at this historic and awe-inspiring attraction.
Set out on a course through history and relive the period in time when the US gained its independence and freedom as a nation. This tour provides an authentic look at the Boston Tea Party and the events that shaped the evening of December 16, 1773.
Explore 3 restored Tall Ships and join the Sons of Liberty in a tea-throwing party. Learn about how the brave demonstrators destroyed the East India Company's entire tea shipment in a rebellious and brazen reaction to the Tea Act. See the &quot;Robinson Half Chest&quot;—a statuesque reminder of patriotism—1 of only 2 known surviving tea chests.
End the day at the gift shop or at Abigail's Tea Room, where you can find all you want to know about brewing tea and its roots in American history.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Get to know one of the oldest cities in the United States as you explore a portion of Boston's storied Freedom Trail. Start at Faneuil Hall and wind your way through downtown to Boston Common, learning how sites such as the Old State House and Park Street Church have shaped the city's rich heritage.
Meet your guide downtown and begin your journey through history at Faneuil Hall, traveling back in time to the events that set the stage for the American Revolution. Learn how the Sons of Liberty gathered in this meeting hall to protest British rule, and then continue on to more sites that tell the story of the journey to independence, including the Boston Massacre Site, the Old State House, and the Old South Meeting House.
Next, check out a series of first buildings in the United States, making your way past the Old Corner Bookstore, the first public schoolhouse, and King's Chapel, New England's first Anglican church. As you pass the Granary Burying Ground, discover the final resting place of many of Boston's most famous citizens, among them Paul Revere, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. After admiring the 217-foot (66-m) steeple of Park Street Church, which became an important supporter of the abolitionist movement, wrap up your tour at the Boston Common, the United States' oldest public park.

Freedom Trail History & Architecture Walking Tour

The historic North End—Boston’s oldest neighborhood—is also home to the city’s Little Italy, making it the perfect place for a wine tour focused on Italian vintages and varietals. Sip and dine your way along the waterfront with a small group of like-minded oenophiles and a friendly expert as your guide.
Aragosta Bar and Bistro is located at 3 Battery Wharf, Boston. Featuring multiple stylish seating areas for sipping, savoring and celebrating indoors and out, this elegant waterfront eatery reinvents local New England favorites with a flash of Mediterranean culinary brilliance. Enjoy handmade pasta, New England-sourced seafood and local organic ingredients against the breathtaking backdrop of Boston Harbor. Sip a glass of bubbly prosecco, nibble on artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, and pick up tips from your guide on deciphering the regions, varietals, and vineyards on an Italian wine label.
From there, pass the historic Old North Church and make your way past the lively restaurants of Hanover Street on your way to one of 2 different Italian gems—Artu or Massiminos. Both offer the perfect ambiance for savoring Italian wines paired with delectable northern Italian delicacies. Swirl and sniff whites and reds from Sicily and the golden hills of Tuscany, and delve further into the characteristics of the different wine-growing regions of Italy between bites of bruschetta with broccoli rabe or calamari fritta with mushroom torte.

North End Wine Tour with Food & Drink Tastings

Right in the historic heart of Boston, Faneuil Hall Marketplace delights visitors with its lively atmosphere, street performers, specialty shops and pushcarts, and delicious ethnic food in the Quincy Market Colonnade. Shop and dine here to your heart's content with special VIP perks and savings.
Enjoy discounted parking and pick up your welcome packet, filled with shopping incentives, area information, a shopping directory, and a souvenir gift. With a US $25 gift card and a Faneuil Hall Marketplace tote bag to carry your purchases, you're ready to hit this vibrant area's 75 different shops. Check out the wares at retailers like the Boston Pewter Company, Origins, Nine West, Urban Outfitters, Victoria's Secret, and the Cheers Gift Shop. Special perks as you shop include a set of luggage tags from Samsonite—perfect for the visiting traveler—and half off a second pair of jeans at L'Attitude Boston Boutique.
When you're hungry, head to the Quincy Market Colonnade to cash in your US $9 dining voucher at one of the area's ethnic eateries, which dish up everything from chowder and hot sandwiches to cookies and baklava. You can also use a $5 gift card at Dick's Last Resort, enjoying special discounts and a yummy side of complimentary fried pickles.
Afterward, delve into the historical experiences on offer in the neighborhood. Take a discounted walk on the Freedom Trail, which leads to 16 sites significant to the early history of the United States, or take in the city sights by land and by sea on a Boston Duck Tour.

Shop & Explore Faneuil Hall Marketplace

You know that Boston is soaked in US history, but did you know that it's also a hub for delicious, locally brewed beer. This convenient tour lets you explore the city's famed brewery scene and taste some of its finest offerings.
Make your way to the the Old Town Trolley storefront, on the corner of Boylston St and Charles St South. There you will meet your guide, a knowledgeable beer connoisseur passionate about sharing insight into the fascinating world of brewing. Enjoy visits to 3 different breweries or cideries, sampling tasty brews at each. Between sips, learn about the brewing and fermentation process, as well as the ingredients that make each beverage taste the way it tastes.

Amanda & Jim

Amanda & Jim

A&J

Wedding Day

7:00 PM

Wedding

Reception