A New York Wedding With a Movie-Script Ending

She, Mary Catherine, a new graduate out of NYU. He, Jordan, just starting his final year at Manhattan College. Like a New York fairytale, they connect through mutual friends and hit it off. But like any great love story, life would do its damnedest to pull them apart, whisking Jordan off to medical school in Dallas. C’monnnn, life.

After months doing the long-distance thing, Jordan teamed up with Caroline, Mary Catherine’s sister, to soft-serve up the perfect proposal. Caroline flew into NYC to visit Mary Catherine, who had promised to help run an event at Oddfellows ice cream shop that weekend. Meanwhile Jordan, who was allegedly “camping in Oklahoma” (for maximum dramatic effect), was waiting at the same ice cream shop, ring in hand.

“I can’t accurately describe the feeling I had in that moment—stomach turning, jaw dropping, overwhelming joy.”

The couple began planning by setting a budget and establishing what each felt were the most important aspects of their wedding (#experts). For Jordan and Mary Catherine, those were photography, band, bar, and buds (the florist, that is). They also worked with a month-of coordinator (their wedding MVP, incidentally) to dot the i’s. And even in NYC, they stuck to their budget. That meant a relatively small guest list and finding the perfect venue in their price range.

While some out-of-town guests came prepared for a blizzard, their wedding day weather turned out unexpectedly great—a sunny, crisp Saturday. After a gorgeous ceremony at the Columbia University Faculty House, Jordan and Mary Catherine sat down to toast one-another, connect, and enjoy a private dinner before their reception entrance.

In addition to an open bar (recommended), they kept several food stations open all night at the reception—sliders, charcuterie, and southern food. Add great music from their live band, Red Hot Rhythm, and you can understand why over three hours of dancing left the newlyweds wanting more. Luckily, Mary Catherine planned a surprise for Jordan that made leaving easier—a vintage checker-cab getaway car straight out of When Harry Met Sally and Home Alone 2, a few of their fave films. Roll credits.