Meredith &and David

When and how did the two of you meet, and what is most memorable about your first meeting?

Meredith: David and I were paired up to coach a women’s basketball team for the Special Olympics World Games. We had each been coaching Special Olympics individually, and more than likely had been in the same competition venue at the same time before, but we’d never met. David had been selected to coach the World Games team much earlier that year, and when his assistant coach bailed, I was brought in to replace her. Together, we coached a team of 9 amazing athletes (some of whom were actually at our wedding) at an incredible 10-day, international event in North Carolina.

David: We were put together to coach a women’s basketball team for the Special Olympics World Games. We were instantly comfortable together. We enjoyed each other’s company and humor, and we became fast friends. We could never have imagined that so many years later we’d be married.

When and where did the proposal take place, and how did it unfold?

Meredith: David nailed it! I thought I was going out for dinner and drinks with a few girlfriends, but when we got to the restaurant, I was surprised to see that David was there, along with all of my friends and family. The room was decorated with photos of places we’ve been together and he’d put together a playlist full of songs we’ve seen live in concert. He got down on one knee and the rest is history!

David: I proposed at a restaurant in Brooklyn that we’d been to several times. I had previously met with some of her closest friends, who helped me plan it as a surprise. They helped me organize the whole evening. I flew in her best friend from the Colorado and invited her parents and brother and sister-in-law. It was a wonderfully fun and memorable night.

What was running through your mind when you saw your bride/groom for the first time?

Meredith: “He looks amazing and I’m so lucky I get to marry him!”

David: All I could think was how beautiful she was and how lucky I was.

What did you base your choice of location on?

Meredith: We knew we wanted the venue to have a view of NYC, and when we saw Liberty House, it was just perfect! The view is stunning, the space and decor are beautiful, and it has the added magic of being in Liberty State park.

David: I think I’d always had that location in the back of my mind, never imagining that we could really secure it. Having grown up in the Midwest, having New York City as the backdrop was more than I could have ever imagined.

Was there anything particularly surprising or unexpected about the task of wedding planning?

Meredith: Well, I knew it would be time consuming and all-encompassing. But, I think I was surprised that it ended up being such a great bonding experience for my parents and us. We had so much fun going to the tastings and going to hear different bands together!

David: Meredith’s family was a great help and her parents were involved in almost all decisions. We all became closer and it made it an enjoyable experience for us all, but I never realized how much effort and preparation goes into every detail, from hair schedules to transportation. There were so many things to consider and so many people’s needs to accommodate.

What were the non-traditional and/or personalized components of your wedding ceremony?

Meredith & David: We were so lucky to find such unique and wonderful officiants, who crafted a customized ceremony just for us. One is a rabbi and the other is a reverend, but the fun part is that they’re married to each other. From the first time we met with them, we really connected with them. We were inspired by their knowledge, spirituality, and openness, and really enjoyed working with them to create our ceremony. Our service was truly about us, blending not only our two religions, but also our individual personalities and families.

What was a highlight of your wedding day?

Meredith: My favorite part was definitely seeing all of our friends and family, from near and far, all in the same place at the same time. It was surreal and spectacular.

David: For me, everything went wonderfully. We both loved the venue and were excited and happy for our friends and relatives to see it and experience it. The weather was chillier and rainier than we’d hoped, but we laughed about it and had fun with it. The ceremony was beautiful, our officiants were perfect for us, and all of our guests agreed. Everything was better than planned. Having our friends and family there for our most important day was truly unbeatable.

Is there anything you would do differently?

Meredith: My only regret is that we didn’t get to the cocktail hour sooner. Too many missed hors d’oeuvres!

David: No, it was perfect.

What song did you dance to for your first dance? Why?

Meredith: As cheesy as it is, we danced to “Groovy Kind of Love,” by Phil Collins. It’s just always had a special place in our hearts.

David: “Groovy Kind of Love,” by Phil Collins. That song always kind of clicked with us in a quirky way.

What was the best planning advice you received?

Meredith: Be present in the moment. Make sure you have someone record the ceremony. Be sure to eat.

David: Happy wife, happy life. Go with the flow. It’s not just about you.