Dan and Molly's Wedding in Fairhaven, Massachusetts

(Dan, meanwhile, was hard at work remodeling the fixer-upper they had purchased that winter into a warm and inviting home where they could begin their life as a married couple.)

As the weekend of the wedding arrived, friends and family poured in to get the DIY celebration off the ground. Molly's grandfather and uncle went digging for littleneck clams to serve during cocktail hour. Her godmother and cousins made lemon cookies to go with Dan's custom loose tea blend as favors. One of Molly's sisters (along with some cousins) helped her to make bouquets, centerpieces, corsages, and boutonnieres. Her other sister made the wedding cake, a delicious confection of many layers, and constructed the flower curtain that would hang behind the head table. All available hands pitched in to decorate the reception tent with floral garlands and hoops, lanterns and pennants.

Dan and Molly were married by Molly's father, a Catholic deacon, at a mass celebrated by Dan's uncle, a priest. They took photos at the historic Millicent Library in Fairhaven, a great spot for book lovers like Dan and Molly. They returned to the house for the cocktail hour and reception, where they celebrated with family and friends. The groomsmen enjoyed filling their gifts from the groom (giant drinking horns) with home-brewed beer. The bridal party made their entrance to "Galactic Funk," a disco-era interpretation of Star Wars favorites in honor of the groom. The cake was cut and devoured, with only a large piece hidden away for the couple to bring on their honeymoon. As the sun went down, fairy lights illuminated the tent and yard. Dancing went on until late in the night, and festivities began again the next morning with a brunch under the tent, featuring delicious pancakes made by Dan's sister and father.

Molly and Dan departed for a relaxing honeymoon in Vermont, where they hiked, drank many cups of tea, and read many books.