The Finishing Touch — Weddings, Events, Design, Paperie

We are so excited for tomorrow’s wedding of Sandy and Jim!

Check out their love story and come witness their marriage aboard the A.J. Meerwald in LBI tomorrow!

Sandy and Jim, both of Mount Arlington, NJ, are former Jefferson Township High School classmates who reconnected over 20 years later, will be married tomorrow aboard New Jersey’s official Tall Ship, the A.J. Meerwald in Beach Haven. They were chosen as winners of the third annual “Tie The Knot on the Tall Ship” contest, sponsored by the Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism, Reclam The Bay, Schooner A.J. Meerwald, Museum of NJ Maritime History and NJWedding.com. Various local wedding service providers also have offered their products and services for this special occasion.

“When Sandy and Jim were chosen as finalists in the contest and I began to correspond with Sandy, it was clear that they had a special love story to share” said Erik Kent, Co-Publisher of NJWedding.com. Sandy and Jim grew up and went to high school in Jefferson Township together. After high school, Jim joined the Navy and then moved to North Carolina, subsequently losing touch with Sandy and eventually spending part of his military career in Iraq. Sandy and Jim went on to marry other people and start their own families. About a year ago, after both having become divorced, they reconnected on Facebook, which led to email and phone calls and then meeting up again.

After spending more time with each other and with their families, as well as using Facebook to keep in touch regularly, it became clear to both Sandy and Jim that they wanted to move forward with their relationship. In January 2011, for Sandy’s birthday, Jim came for a visit and proposed marriage with matching puzzle rings, Celtic Knot ones, knowing of Sandy’s Irish heritage. He moved to New Jersey in February and his son moved here in May. Regarding making plans for their wedding, Jim chose his favorite number (7), and his grandfather’s favorite number (23), so a combination of the two led to the wedding date of July 23. With Jim’s Navy history and both their love of the water, they had originally planned for a small ceremony along the Jersey shore. Sandy had spent her childhood at her grandparents shore house in Manahawkin, so LBI was a perfect fit!

Now that Sandy and Jim have been chosen as the winners, their wedding ceremony service will be performed by Deborah C. Whitcraft, a wedding officiant and former mayor of Beach Haven, NJ. Up to 80 guests will be allowed on the ship’s deck, and another 100 guests may congregate on the wharf to witness the marriage ceremony. Photography for the wedding ceremony will be provided by David Toth Photographers, invites/programs will be provided by Stephanie Somodi – Designing Your Most Inviting Day, video coverage of the event will be provided by J & S Video Services, wedding ceremony flowers will be arranged by Camille’s Floral Designs and wedding planning and consulting services will be provided by yours truly… The Finishing Touch!

The public is invited to witness the wedding ceremony aboard the A.J. Meerwald on Saturday, July 23rd at 1:00pm.  New Jersey’s official “Tall Ship” is docked in Beach Haven, NJ (Center Street and the Bay) from July 20th through July 24th, and visitors may take a deck tour, go for a two-hour sail, or participate in a 4-hour eco/heritage event on and around the A.J. Meerwald on July 23rd. For additional information about the history of the A.J. Meerwald and opportunities to visit, check out the web site at http://www.bayshorediscovery.org.

For additional information about the “Tie The Knot on the Tall Ship” contest, along with photos and video of past contest winners, visit http://www.njwedding.com/lbi.