El amor, l’amour, love — no matter the language, love is love is love. Even with a global pandemic in full effect and many unsettling headlines coming to light this year, love has continued to find a way to prevail.
Hudson County is filled with love stories that will leave can leave even the most cold-hearted person weak in the knees. Today’s love story that we’re shedding some light on is that of Maxine Townsend and Ian Dick, a Jersey City couple that made their nuptials a reality despite the challenges of, well, 2020. This is their romantic, wedding day story.
A Really Cute Meet-Cute
Picture it — Jersey City, 2015, and boxing match viewing party. “Ian and his roommates were having a pay-per-view watch party for the Pacquiao v. Mayweather fight,” the couple shared. Maxine was invited by one of her best friends from college to this watch party, as Maxine’s friend happened to be besties with one of Ian’s roommate’s now wife. “Small world,” the couple shared. Needless to say, we’re all glad Maxine paid this party a visit.
After their chance encounter in 2015, the rest is history. The couple hit it off, but didn’t make things official until a full year later in 2016! Today, they’ve been coupled up and living in Jersey City for the last three years. But 2020 was the year that their relationship was going to be taken to the next level.
Read More: This Couple’s Intimate, Curbside Wedding Will Spark Some Serious Joy
Popping the Question
Fast forward to August 12th, 2019, and Ian has devised what can only be described as the cutest proposal story. “Maxine is from New Hampshire so we love to visit her family and friends there in the summertime and explore NH and the other New England states,” Ian shared with Hoboken Girl.
The couple was already in the area for two other weddings on back-to-back weekends {talk about foreshadowing} and Ian and Maxine decided to make a trip out of it. On the day of the proposal, the duo went on a hike to Acadia National Park in Maine and, well, Maxine left with a lot more than just some awesome scenic photos.
When they reached the summit of Acadia Mountain, Ian got down on one knee and popped the question. Of course, she said yes!
“We celebrated afterward with champagne and the best seafood in Bar Harbor,” the couple shared. Cause for celebration indeed.
Saying “I Do”
As with many couples, wedding plans have taken a detour due to the current pandemic. But for Maxine and Ian, a global pandemic couldn’t stop their love from being celebrated. They simply made lemonade out of lemons.
On July 24th of this year, 35 of the couple’s “nearest and dearest” joined them for a romantic, quaint wedding in Van Vorst Park. And to make the day even more special and spectacular, the walk to Van Vorst Park from their home in JC down Jersey Avenue served as Maxine’s aisle — talk about a personal touch.
“Cars were honking and people were cheering and congratulating us,” the couple shared. “We felt so much love from our community.”
After they said, “I do,” the celebrated with a fun and delicious ceremony at Porta.
Keeping Local
Now, this JC wedding, beyond tugging at our heartstrings, showed tons of local businesses some love. All of their vendors were local — from the flowers and dress to the planning, this wedding day was made possible by the help of all Hudson County businesses.
Firstly, Maxine and Ian used Veronica Joy Events as their wedding planner, Porta as their reception venue, Van Vorst park as their wedding backdrop, and Justin Johnson Photography to capture their special day on film.
As for the details {because we know it’s all about the details}, the gorgeous flowers were courtesy of Bouquets & Baskets, Maxine’s hair, and makeup was done by Salon Gatto, their wedding cake was made by Torico Ice Cream, the jewelry came from Love Locked, the artist capturing their special day was Norman Kirby, and Maxine’s wedding dress came from Trubelle Bridal via Schone Bride. All local, all gorgeous, and all-in-all fabulous day to say “I Do.”
See More: This New Hoboken Business Owner’s Socially-Distant Wedding Will Leave You Crying Happy Tears
Advice for Other Couples
Planning a wedding and making it happen during a pandemic is no small feat — COVID-19 has thrown a wrench into a lot of plans. But, Maxine and Ian were able to make their special day happen and want to share some advice for other couples looking to do the same.
“There are so many amazing vendors in the area; hire them! Our original wedding plans were in NYC, but when we shifted to a micro wedding, we were just so excited to support as many local vendors as possible,” they shared. “They all exceeded our expectations and made the day seamless, perfect and so effortless for us and our families.”
Congratulations, Ian and Maxine!
