Real Wedding: Erin & James
Today Erin O'Leary Stewart and James William Stewart III live in the heart of the West Village with their dog, Buddy, but they haven't always been so lucky. The couple met towards the end of their studies at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. They became fast friends and by graduation, their relationship had progressed to something serious. Erin had plans to move to Manhattan with two sorority sisters to pursue her passion for dance and musical theatre while James had a job in Houston as an energy investment banker, so the couple continued their relationship long-distance.
Although Erin and James took advantage of all New York had to offer on James' carefully planned visits, enjoying weekends replete with fabulous dinner reservations and hitting all the hot spots of the moment, something important was missing until James was finally able to move to New York three years later. Amidst their excursions, Erin and James began spending summer weekends in the Hamptons.
While James' frequent visits to New York were fantastic, the most memorable the couple shared was for Erin's birthday in the Napa Valley, in September of 2008. The couple enjoyed a romantic week of private wine tours, meals and tastings, thanks to James' extensive planning. Although Erin thought she understood the ultimate aim of the trip, James kept her waiting until the last possible moment. As fabulous tastings and more importantly, perfect proposal locations passed the couple by one after another, Erin became slightly frustrated. It wasn't until the last day of their trip that James led her behind the inn where they were staying to a white picket gazebo they had discovered their first night. As soon as James led Erin inside, he knelt down on one knee and proposed. "I'm still not sure if I cried more from excitement or from complete exhaustion from trying to figure him out all week!" Erin recalls. The moment remains one of Erin and James' most cherished memories.
When it was time to choose a location for their wedding, the Hamptons seemed the perfect destination for both the couple and their guests. Most would be traveling all the way from Texas so Erin and James wanted them to be able to indulge in a relaxing, vacation-like celebration and enjoy all that the Hamtpons has to offer. Having grown up in Florida, Erin was especially pleased to make the beach part of her special day. In preparation for their dream wedding, Erin and James relied on event planner Jill Gordon. Erin praises her "incredible" talent, adding that Jill became a friend by the end of the planning process.
In a church framed by unexpectedly sunny October skies and by a rose garden alive with extravagant hydrangeas in unseasonable blossom, Erin and James exchanged vows. The wedding was a family affair. Erin's uncle, a pastor from New Haven, Connecticut, officiated the ceremony and her grandmother's bible, a wedding gift from Erin's grandfather on their wedding day, lay on the altar.
Erin recalls some of her favorite memories from driving to the church with her father, to seeing her bridesmaids and closest friends lined up outside of the church before the ceremony to walking down the aisle, shaking with nerves as she approached the love of her life. At the reception, James and Erin danced to one of her favorite Beatles songs while their guests enjoyed dancing and a spectacular cake from Miche at Sacred Sweets. Erin describes the cake as "truly a work of art and a culinary experience." Photographer Jenny Ebert made everyone feel comfortable in front of the camera.
One of the most memorable moments for Erin was running through a sparkling line-up of the people most important to her, hand-in-hand with James, toward the get-away car and their future as a married couple.
Erin & James' Advice:
1. Try to enjoy the planning process and appreciate all that everyone is doing for you.
2. If I were to do it all over again, I would take no longer than 8 months to do so. More than that, it can get a little overwhelming with details.