In 1985, baby Jeannine was 18 months old and her dad’s beloved Wildcats won the NCAA tournament. No doubt he watched the games at home with her on his knee. In 2016, as she affixed his Villanova pins to her bouquet in preparation to walk down the aisle of the chapel he worked at for many years, the Wildcats were once again poised to make a run at the championship. It felt like a good omen for Jeannine + Ace, and a good omen for the Wildcats. (Plus, I had them going all the way in my own bracket.)
Jeannine did her getting ready in their new home, donning her elegant ivory dress in a light-soaked space that I’m still swooning over, a photographer’s dream. Meanwhile Ace and his groomsmen prepped at the Radnor Hotel, sharing beers and fishing stories (men after my own heart). Lucky for us, the rainy Saturday morning gave way to a chilly but bright April afternoon. Jeannine + Ace said their “I Do”s at St. Thomas, where the brilliant Easter flowers were still in full bloom on the altar. We stayed on campus for their portrait session while the sun peaked in and out of the clouds, and took breaks to high five and yell “GO NOVA” to excited students passing through.
At The Radnor Hotel, the ballroom featured Jeannine + Ace’s subtle Nantucket-inspired details–from beach name table numbers to a Nantucket basket wedding cake. the band kept the dance floor busy, and was sure to keep the happy crowd updated on the Wildcats’ Final Four progress throughout the night–a decisive win over Oklahoma, and the perfect cap on a perfect day.
Congratulations to Jeannine + Ace–I know the Wildcats’ Championship is the perfect wedding present. Thank you for trusting me with your memories.