This past May one of my friends got married at Timuquana Country Club in the Ortega area of Jacksonville, Florida. My friend and I go back to high school, where our mutual love of books and reading began our years-long friendship.

She and her husband absolutely lucked out with the weather; Jacksonville is typically humid and hot come late May, but this day was unusually cool and breezy, making for the perfect wedding day. The ceremony occurred beneath a flower arch overlooking St. John’s River, with the city’s downtown skyline in the distance.

White chairs, spaced-out white umbrellas and flowers of all pastel colors adorned the ceremony space. One of my favorite parts of the wedding was the signature cocktails, inspired by the couple’s cat, named Pickle (whom I have looked after on more than one occasion and therefore love). Two pickle-themed cocktails were available to order, the menu depicting little drawings of Pickle the cat to incorporate her into the wedding.

Beyond the cocktails, the indoor-outdoor venue of the wedding was stunning. Think self-serve food bars serving sushi, oysters, roast beef and more. The cake was two flavors: cookies and cream chocolate and lemon raspberry (my favorite). A live band kept the good vibes going all night long, and I got to dance and talk with many of my friends. We even snapped some fun photos at the photo booth, where props and other fun features were offered to secure a keepsake and memory.

— Aoife O’Riordan, associate editor