The Wedding People by Alison Espach

When Life Gives You Lemons, Crash a Wedding

You know that moment when you’re standing at the edge of something—maybe it’s a cliff, maybe it’s just the rest of your life—and you think, “Well, shit. What now?” That’s pretty much where Phoebe Stone finds herself at the start of Alison Espach’s latest novel, “The Wedding People.” And let me tell you, it’s one hell of a ride from there.

Espach has this knack for taking life’s messiest moments and turning them into something both hilarious and heartbreakingly real. If you’ve read her previous works like “The Adults” or “Notes on Your Sudden Disappearance,” you know what I’m talking about. But with “The Wedding People,” she’s cranked it up a notch. It’s like she’s taken all the awkwardness of a wedding where you don’t know anyone, mixed it with a healthy dose of existential crisis, and sprinkled in just enough hope to keep you turning pages well past your bedtime.

The Plot: Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue (and Slightly Suicidal)

So here’s the deal: Phoebe Stone rocks up to this fancy-pants hotel in Newport, Rhode Island, wearing a killer green dress and gold heels. She’s got no luggage, no plan, and oh yeah, she’s planning to kill herself. But before she can get to that, she gets mistaken for one of the “wedding people”—you know, those folks who seem to live for these events, all prim and proper and bursting with joy for the happy couple.

The thing is, Phoebe’s not here for the wedding. She’s here because once upon a time, she dreamed of coming to this place with her husband. Only now, she’s alone, divorced, and feeling like her life’s gone off the rails. But as she gets pulled into the whirlwind of pre-wedding chaos, she starts to find… something. Not answers, exactly, but maybe a reason to stick around and see what happens next.

Characters: A Motley Crew of Misfits and Mayhem-Makers

Espach has this gift for creating characters that feel so real, you’d swear you’ve met them before. Maybe at your cousin’s wedding, or that work function you got dragged to against your will. There’s Lila, the bride who’s got everything planned down to the last detail—except, you know, whether she actually wants to get married. Gary, the groom who’s trying to piece his life back together after losing his first wife. And then there’s Jim, the best man with a penchant for inappropriate comments and a heart that’s maybe a little too big for his own good.

But it’s Phoebe who really steals the show. She’s messy and complicated and so damn relatable it hurts. One minute she’s contemplating the best way to off herself, and the next she’s getting swept up in wedding drama like it’s the most natural thing in the world. It’s a rollercoaster, folks, and Espach makes sure you feel every loop and turn.

Writing Style: Like Chatting with Your Funniest, Most Insightful Friend

If you’ve never read Espach before, you’re in for a treat. Her writing style is like… imagine if your smartest, funniest friend decided to tell you a story over a couple of bottles of wine. It’s sharp and witty, but with this underlying current of vulnerability that hits you right in the feels when you least expect it.

She’s got this way of capturing those tiny, seemingly insignificant moments that somehow end up meaning everything. Like when Phoebe’s trying on a bridesmaid dress and suddenly realizes she can’t remember the last time she felt truly beautiful. Or when Gary catches himself laughing at one of Jim’s inappropriate jokes and feels guilty for being happy.

It’s not all heavy stuff, though. Espach knows how to bring the laughs, and there are plenty of moments that’ll have you snorting into your coffee (or wine, no judgment here). The wedding planning chaos, the family drama, the inevitable disasters—it’s all handled with a deft touch that keeps things from ever feeling too dark or too light.

Themes: When Life Gives You a Wedding, Make It a Metaphor

At its heart, “The Wedding People” is about new beginnings. But not in that cheesy, Hallmark movie kind of way. Espach digs deeper, exploring what it really means to start over when everything you thought you knew about yourself and your life has been turned upside down.

Identity and Reinvention

There’s this underlying question throughout the book: who are we when we’re stripped of all the roles and relationships we’ve used to define ourselves? Phoebe’s not a wife anymore, not really a professor, and definitely not one of the “wedding people.” So who is she? And more importantly, who does she want to be?

It’s not just Phoebe, either. Pretty much every character in the book is grappling with some version of this question. Lila’s trying to figure out if being a bride is really what she wants. Gary’s struggling to reconcile his identity as a widower with his role as a new groom. Even Jim, for all his jokes and bravado, is searching for his place in this new family dynamic.

Connection and Belonging

For a book that starts with a woman planning to kill herself, “The Wedding People” is surprisingly life-affirming. Espach explores the power of human connection, even (or maybe especially) when it comes from the most unexpected places.

There’s something beautiful about the way these characters, all dealing with their own forms of loneliness and isolation, come together in this temporary, artificial community of a wedding. It’s messy and complicated and sometimes downright awkward, but it’s also real and raw and exactly what they all need.

The Weight of Expectations

Weddings are like pressure cookers for expectations, aren’t they? Everyone’s got an idea of how things should go, how people should act, what happiness is supposed to look like. Espach does a brilliant job of unpacking all of that, showing how those expectations can both uplift and suffocate.

There’s this particularly poignant moment when Phoebe realizes that she’s been living her entire life based on what she thought she was supposed to want, rather than what actually makes her happy. It’s a gut punch of a realization, and one that I’m betting will resonate with a lot of readers.

Final Thoughts: Something Worth Celebrating

Look, I’m not gonna lie—”The Wedding People” isn’t always an easy read. Espach doesn’t shy away from the tough stuff, the messy emotions, the uncomfortable truths. But that’s what makes it so damn good. It’s real and raw and honest in a way that so many books about new beginnings and self-discovery just… aren’t.

By the time you turn the last page, you feel like you’ve been through something. Maybe you’ve laughed, maybe you’ve cried (I’m not admitting to anything), but you’ve definitely felt. And isn’t that what great literature is supposed to do?

Who Should Read This Book

If you’re a fan of authors like Sally Rooney or Ottessa Moshfegh, who aren’t afraid to dive into the messy, uncomfortable parts of being human, you’ll love “The Wedding People.” It’s perfect for anyone who’s ever felt lost, or stuck, or like they’re just going through the motions of a life they’re not sure they want anymore.

And hey, if you’ve got a wedding coming up (your own or someone else’s), maybe give this a read. It might just change your perspective on the whole thing. Or at least give you some ideas for how to liven up the reception.

The Verdict

“The Wedding People” is a triumph. It’s funny and heartbreaking and uncomfortably real in all the best ways. Espach has crafted a story that will stick with you long after you’ve put the book down, making you question your own life choices and maybe, just maybe, inspiring you to make a change.

So go on, grab a copy. Pour yourself a glass of whatever helps you get through wedding season, and dive in. Just don’t blame me if you end up laughing out loud on public transport or ugly crying in your favorite coffee shop. That’s just the Espach effect, baby.