This story does not end with someone in a tub missing a kidney — it ends with a wedding.
In 2015, NJ.com launched a new series celebrating New Jersey nuptials. If you would like to be considered for a feature, email weddingsjerseystyle@gmail.com.
It all started with an ad on Craigslist.
Don't worry this story does not end with someone in a tub missing a kidney -- it ends with a wedding.
In April 2009, Daniel Fahrer placed a personal ad on Craigslist. Around the same time, Jayme Eber was using the site to search for an apartment. Her search brought her to the personals section, where she stumbled across, as she describes it, "Dan's especially cheesy ad about being a half-Irish, half-Jewish man looking for love."
While the ad may have been "cheesy," it still inspired Eber to respond. The couple would soon go on their first date at City Streets in East Windsor. The two enjoyed each other's company so much they ended up closing the restaurant.
A sunflower-lined aisle greeted Jayme Eber and Daniel Fahrer at Marlboro Jewish Center in Marlboro. (Abella Studios) After a month of dating, though, it seemed as if Eber was losing interest. Fahrer stopped hearing from her, and he assumed she was ending things.
Turns out the situation was much more serious. Eber was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis and was in the ICU at Robert Wood Johnson Hospital in New Brunswick. Once Fahrer found this out, he visited Eber every day after work, and the two would often end up falling asleep holding each other's hand. That's when Eber knew that Fahrer was truly the one for her.
"When I came home I was confined to a hospital bed and wheelchair for six months, and I had to put my entire life on hold," said Eber who works as a studio manager at Pinot's Palette in Manalapan. "Dan would come over, lay in my makeshift home hospital bed, and we'd watch "Firefly" on DVD."
Fahrer, who works as a campaign manager for the Jewish Federation of Somerset, Hunterdon, and Warren Counties, agreed that this was when he knew Eber was the one for him. It also didn't hurt that she shared in his unhealthy love for the "Final Fantasy" video game series, either.
The Wedding Date
Fahrer proposed to Eber on November 23, 2013 at Rutgers Gardens in New Brunswick. Fahrer told Eber they were going there to hang out with his sister Katie, and her husband Rob.
"Little did I know that both of our families were waiting behind some large trees," said Eber. "Then when Dan said a certain codeword, our poodle Ziggy, was released, came over to us, and he had an engagement ring tied to his collar."
The couple decided on Halloween for their wedding date, because according to Fahrer, "Jayme loves Halloween."
The Venue
The couple chose the Marlboro Jewish Center as the site for both their ceremony and their reception.
"It's close to home," said Eber. "There's kosher catering, and we could have the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception in one building ... sold."
Where They Saved
The couple saved the most amount of money by having the ceremony and reception in the same venue. That also meant they could save money on limousines.
http://www.nj.com/weddings/index.ssf/2015/04/weddings_danielle_vinci_jessica_binns.html
What They Splurged On
"We splurged on our band, The Vinnie Ross Band," said Fahrer. "We also sprung for a sushi bar and candy for everyone at the end of the wedding, because it was Halloween."
How They Made Their Wedding Special
Since the wedding was taking place on Halloween night, the couple decided to bring the "dress up" element into their reception (well, outside of dressing up in their finest threads, of course).
"We had a masquerade themed wedding," said Eber. "We asked our guests to either bring their own masks or we could provide them with masks in the spirit of Halloween."
Most Memorable Moments
The moments that reflected the couple's sense of humor, and their commitment to each other and their faith, were the highlights for the couple. That, and an impromptu Journey karaoke session.
The reception of Jayme Eber and Daniel Fahrer, at Marlboro Jewish Center in Marlboro, featured a traditional Jewish hora dance, as well as some more creative dancing. (Abella Studios) "One of the most memorable moments for me was the second-to-last song at 1:55 a.m. when the band played 'Don't Stop Believin'' by Journey," said Fahrer. "The guests put their arms around each other, and huddled in a rotating circle, singing Journey."
Fahrer also cites the literal strength of his groomsmen as a highlight as well. "We appreciated the full value of life after being lifted up by their family and friends in the Hora," said Fahrer. "I must give full credit to the strength of my groomsmen, because I'm just under 250 pounds."
"Dan swore his chair was going over if not for being saved by one or two groomsmen rushing in to keep him attached to his chair," added Eber.
Yet, it was moments from the ceremony that proved to be the most memorable for the couple.
"I would say the most memorable part was "The Seven Circles" part of the Jewish ceremony, where the bride is supposed to walk around the groom seven times because they are now the center of each other's worlds," said Fahrer. "After the fourth or fifth circle Jayme made around me, I asked the audience if anyone had a 'fitbit' on them."
"When I finished, and Dan had completed his second circle around me," said Eber, "I asked everyone in attendance if he should match my seven circles, which was met with some rowdy cheers."
"I believe this was the most memorable portion of our ceremony because it not only captured Jayme and my own sense of humor, but was an impromptu chance to get the audience involved as well," said Fahrer.
All photos courtesy of Abella Studios.
Bill Bodkin can be reached at bodkinwrites@gmail.com. Find NJ.com/Entertainment on Facebook.