Janie Grace Szoboszlay & James Nicholas Dodson

March 29, 2025 – Montgomery

“Nick and I met in high school. At first, I wasn’t quite sure where things would go, but he saw something in us early on and never stopped showing up for me. Eventually, I let my guard down – and I’m so glad I did. What started as a teenage connection slowly grew into something lasting and deeply rooted.

After two years together at Faulkner University, we both began to feel a tug on our hearts to step outside of our hometown; somewhere new, by the water, where we could build something of our own. So, we took a leap together and moved to South Alabama. That decision marked the beginning of a shared adventure that’s spanned seven years, full of growth, new beginnings, late-night talks, big dreams and ordinary moments that shaped our life together. We graduated college, started new careers, moved to new cities, and created a home — with our dog, Oakley, right in the center of it all.

As we neared our sixth anniversary, I sensed a proposal was close. True to my type-A nature, I’d daydreamed about the details, how it might look, and how it could reflect who we are. Still, Nick found a way to completely surprise me. He told me he was flying home to Montgomery to celebrate his mom’s birthday (he’s a training pilot), but when I didn’t hear from him for a few hours after he was supposed to land, I started to wonder. What I didn’t know was that he had flown all the way to Georgia to ask my dad for his blessing.

When the moment came, it was everything I had hoped for. He proposed to me in the most ‘us’ way — at home, with coffee in hand and Oakley by our side. He even coordinated with my friend and photographer, Jinny, to take our engagement photos later that afternoon in Pensacola. We ended the night at our favorite restaurant, Union Public House, which is where we always go to celebrate life’s milestones, sipping and champagne and talking about the exciting new adventure we were stepping into!” – Janie

Advice From the Couple

“Do what feels right for you and your partner. It’s easy to get caught up in expectations, but at the end of the day, your wedding should reflect who you are as a couple. I was surprised by how many traditional elements we chose to skip – no first dances, no wedding party, no grand exit. Those things didn’t feel like us, and that’s okay! We focused on what made us feel comfortable and joyful, and the result was a day that felt deeply personal and meaningful which is exactly what we had hoped for.

Our wedding was a perfect blend of sentimental and simple – a romantic, intimate celebration surrounded by the people we love most. There’s no right way to get married, so trust your gut and create a day that feels true to your story!” – Janie