In 1971, my best friend was Mike Parry, who was dating my sister, Mary Joan. In January he and I made a trip to Canandaigua, New York; by the time we returned, Joanie had already agreed to marry Greg Bonnell, whom neither Mike nor I had ever met or even heard of.

The marriage didn't last all that long; and Greg has since passed away. But…here are the photos.

Greg Bonnell and Mary Joan Cilwa

Should she...or shouldn't she?

Mary Joan had been dating my pal, Mike Parry, for over a year but when he and I were on a road trip to New York state, Greg proposed to her...and she accepted.

Mary Joan sewing her own wedding dress.

Mary Joan had always been an accomplished seamstress.

Mary Joan in the beautiful gown she made for herself.

Mom in "THE" dress she wore to all weddings for at least two decades.

Gramma dressed for the wedding.

MK Murphy, the church organist, provided music.

Mary Joan and Greg's wedding cake.

Mary Joan and Greg cutting the cake.

The obligatory first-byte-of-cake photo.

A rockin' party!

About to throw the bouquet...

An easy catch.