Sheli & James: A Traditional Wedding in Brewster, MA

Sheli and James were both attending a work function at Le Cordon Bleu culinary school in Chicago when they met. While James was immediately smitten, it took Sheli a little longer to come around. The Bride Sheli Flieger, 41, realtor The Groom James Simpkins, 32, culinary professional The Date September 9 She finally agreed to a first date nearly two months later and headed over to James’ apartment for champagne (something they both love.) “It was my birthday, but she didn’t know how old I was,” James says. When he told her he was 30 and casually wondered aloud how old Sheli would be on her next birthday, she fibbed: even though she was about to turn 40, she told him she’d be 36. “I really didn’t think it would go anywhere, so what difference would it make?” she says. Months later, when the two were still seeing each other, she confessed. “He was really great about it, and on my birthday card he wrote ‘It feels like I’ve known you for four years already!’” Just 10 months after their first date, James proposed at their new home in Boston over pizza -- and, of course, champagne.