Wedding Party
Mrs. Leanna Adams
Matron of Honor
Olivia and I met in a college dorm room and became friends in a blood oath—my blood, from my nose…after she punched me in the face. I guess I should add “by accident” and “in stage combat class” but those details make the story less fun. If you’re a Swifty—we were not your show girls. We were your ripped-tights, sequined Bra, phantoms of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. And we were both chasing after our dreams with one hand and our degree with the other, meanwhile covering ourselves in stage blood and sweat to tell tourists ghost stories. A decade has gone by now. Olivia is still the strongest willed and styled person I know. She fights for what she loves and loves deeply. James, of course, is the perfect life-long illustrious love affair to kindle her flame. I’m so happy for you both, and I’m so proud of you both.
Miss Ines Maza
Maid of Honor
Olivia and I's love story runs deep. We met on the iconic Turner bridge my freshman year. Our friend (and James' Groomsman) Will and our interest in film were our connective tissue and our friendship blossomed from there. We'd bump into each other on sets, at parties, at the clurb... I can't imagine what my time in college would've been like without her! We graduated at the weirdest time (my first, her second - she's got that masters baby!), but we were so lucky and got to do it together <3 I've watched Olivia grow into the most incredible, passionate, loving, determined, kick-ass, cool, (I could go on forever) person. It blows my mind that it's been nearly a decade since we met. I'm so proud and honored to be by her side as she gets married! She's somehow found someone who is worthy of her and I couldn't be happier that it's James (my FAVE travel buddy). I can't wait to watch you two continue to build your life together! All the love and hugs in the world xoxo
Mr. James Penney
Best Man
The year was 1996. August. As I entered the world, I could feel a tingle. I knew there was another James already. As the years went on, I knew something was wrong. While learning to speak, crawl, & walk, I would often express verbal & physical frustrations. It had to be the other James. He was missing still. He was the answer. To everything. Preschool was alright. No James though. My parents caught wind of my dilemma. They took immediate action. We followed the tingle for what felt like an eternity, until we found ourselves in Southold. Kindergarten was getting ready to fire up. I was ready. Ready to fill the void- ready to find my forever James. Our daytime captor, somehow had found him. She was obviously collecting our kind. Why else would we both be in the same class? I knew immediately. The other James. I had to play it cool. I didn’t want to spook him. I knew very well that Jameses scare easily. Minutes felt like hours, days like years. Slowly, I befriended him. Got closer to him. There was something wrong though. Where did the tingle go? I was forgetting something. Glue. How could I have forgotten. All Jameses must eat glue together. It is the only true way to know if they are your other James. We agreed. We must eat glue together. Quickly; we did exactly that. We stuck. I knew right there, this was my forever James. The pain & sleepless nights. They were over. The suffering was over. We could now truly experience life. Jameses are nothing without their other James.
Mr. Daniel Penney
Best Boy
Although I met James well before this story, this is when I feel I truly met the real James. Up until then, he was simply my older brother’s friend with the cool beard. After school one day, when I was in Junior High, my brother and his friends (including James) invited me to tag along for a game of tennis. Thrilled but a bit nervous, I accepted the invitation. Five of us then crammed into a PT Cruiser and started zooming down backroads... and I mean zooming. Finally, after what felt like an hour of two-wheel-turns and airing train tracks, we made it to the tennis courts. Although I don’t remember how well we played, I do remember realizing why everyone loved James. For his calm demeanor, and witty sense of humor were undeniable. Characteristics anyone would want in a friend. After this day, James was no longer ‘my brother’s friend with the cool beard’ but now my friend – Jmac – who still has a cool beard. Today, I can happily say I have two brothers named James. <3
Mrs. Francesca Poliseno
Bridesmaid
I met Olivia over 8 years ago at SCAD during our film program. Actually, I remember the EXACT time I met her because I thought she was a fairy. I was at a house party in Savannah in a tent with Christmas lights glowing behind it when she walked in. She wore this gorgeous, flowing white dress and had sparkles on her face. I actually remember turning to my friend and saying, 'That woman is the most ethereal person I've ever seen.' However, we didn't become great friends until NYC. Flash forward four years, and we reconnect at a film festival. This time, she had the debonair James MacArthur on her arm. After talking for hours with them and my fiance, it was apparent that the 4 of us were going to have a beautiful friendship. James & Olivia have been there for us through the best and worst times, they have given us more love than anyone could ever ask for, and I am so blessed to have them as some of my best friends. I have seen them grow from their early days of dating, and I know that they complete each other. I am beyond blessed and grateful to be a part of their wedding party and to continue to get to see them grow together and have their love flourish!
Mr. John Tomici
Groomsman
Jmac and I first became friends over 15 years ago. We were boys trying to figure out who we were through teenage antics, art, and adventure. Whether it was scribbling rap songs by the creek, perfecting parkour moves outside of local businesses, or being on the receiving end of a BB gun after a ding-dong-ditch gone terribly wrong, Jmac was always by my side. I watched him blossom into an intelligent, confident, and ambitious man who I am proud to call a brother for life. When I was first introduced to Olivia, I was enraptured by her spirit. She was an accomplished and passionate woman who brought out the best qualities in Jmac, and I knew they were the perfect match. Seeing their love develop over the years has been a privilege and I am honored to be a part of this special day! #GreenJaysForever
Miss Jade Smith
Bridesmaid
The first time I met Olivia was on a weekend, in a school building, in a classroom turned into a casting office. I was 19 at the time and Olivia was the most mature and self assured woman I had ever met in my life. The first time she invited me to her apartment I felt like the chosen one! I still remember feeling so grown up when she shared her lipstick with me before we went out. What I didn’t realize at the time is that we were experiencing the magic of girlhood together. Knowing Olivia is like having your orbit changed, there was before her and there is now. She taught me confidence, friendship, change, courage, and love. I remember when she started bringing James around, I really didn’t pay much attention to him. I think probably the third time I met him- I finally learned his name. It became strikingly clear that he was and still is the perfect image of a supportive, caring, and dedicated partner to our Olivia. They became and still are an inspiration to me.
Mr. Will Crutchfield
Groomsman
I first met Olivia one night sitting on the bridge between our dorms. Our eccentricities seemed to jive immediately and of course, being the naive freshman I was, she quickly took me under her wing. Over the years Liv became like a sister to me, having been there for each other through joy and creative triumphs as well as through hard days and losses. I have so much to thank her for in my life. Years later, in a new chapter of our lives, I came to the city to visit and I got to meet the goofy, lanky guy Liv was dating at the time. James, with his sharp wit and dry humor quickly charmed me, and soon we were just as close as Liv and I have been. Although our language of communication is mostly memes and jokes, the depth of connection remains the same; seeing more and more of ourselves in our humor and offering a little relief to the stressors of daily life. James and Olivia are some of my closest creative piers, my little oasis in Brooklyn, and some of the best friends I have had the privilege of knowing.i can’t wait to see the life they build together.