Under the Umbrella Book Club: March Recap – The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Under the Umbrella Book Club: March Recap – The Wedding People by Alison Espach

Hey everyone! Welcome back to the Define blog. I host the Under the Umbrella Book Club on TikTok Live once a month, where we read and discuss a new book together. This March, we read The Wedding People by Alison Espach, and I’m so excited to document our discussion using Define’s Book Booklet!

Before we dive in, a quick spoiler warning—if you haven’t read The Wedding People yet, save this post and come back once you have!

The Book Booklet: Your Reading Companion

Define’s Book Booklet is a compact way to track your reading journey, with space for 25 books. Inside, you’ll find a quote to set the tone, a section for your TBR list, and a bookshelf to log finished books. Now, let’s flip to a fresh entry and dive into this month’s pick!

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 Stars)

I gave The Wedding People a solid 5 stars, and as we go through the details, you’ll see why!

Book Summary

The Wedding People follows Phoebe, who arrives at the Cornwall Inn in Newport, Rhode Island—alone, without a suitcase, and without her husband. Mistaken for one of the Wedding People, she unexpectedly becomes part of a meticulously planned wedding. The bride, Lila, never anticipated Phoebe’s presence, but the two form an unlikely friendship that changes them both.

At its core, this book is about friendship, love, loss, and the choices that shape our lives. It explores the many paths we can take—depending on the chances we’re willing to embrace.

Themes & Takeaways

One of the reasons this book resonated so deeply with me was its layered themes. Espach tackles heavy topics but balances them with dark humor, making difficult conversations feel real and approachable.

  • Mental Health & Self-Discovery: Phoebe begins the novel at her lowest point. After taking her cat’s medication, she has a change of heart and decides to live. But her journey isn’t a neat, linear path. The book portrays mental health honestly and messily, which I really appreciated.

  • Love & Marriage: Lila’s wedding is supposed to be perfect—but is it what she truly wants? She and her fiancé, Gary, cling to each other for security rather than love, revealing the reality behind many relationships.

  • Being Seen for Who We Are: Phoebe and Lila’s bond allows them to be their true selves. They drop the expectations they’ve carried for so long, realizing that sometimes, a stranger can see you more clearly than the people closest to you.

One of my favorite passages that encapsulates this theme is from page 161, when Phoebe has a moment of self-acceptance:

“Eventually, she gives up trying to bathe beautifully in this tub. She gives up trying to feel like she’s in a painting. She doesn’t have to be beautiful in this moment. She doesn’t have to be anything, ever.”

This moment struck me because it perfectly illustrates Phoebe’s realization that she no longer has to perform or live up to an imagined standard.

Writing Style

Alison Espach’s writing made The Wedding People such an immersive read. The book is written in Phoebe’s perspective, with a conversational tone that feels like an inner monologue.

I especially loved:

  • The witty, dark humor: Even in serious moments, there were lines that had me laughing out loud.

  • The realistic dialogue: The conversations felt raw and genuine, never forced.

  • The shifting timelines: Instead of traditional flashbacks, past and present moments weave seamlessly throughout the story, deepening the character development.

Favorite Characters

This book gives us so much to analyze, but here are the characters that stood out to me:

  • Phoebe – She wasn’t written to have an overnight transformation, which made her growth feel authentic. She actively reflects on her past and works toward change.

  • Lila – While I wouldn’t want to be friends with her in real life, her over-the-top personality made for some of the funniest moments in the book!

  • Marla – Absolutely chaotic. The boat day scene with her had me laughing out loud.

  • Juice – An 11-year-old dealing with so much. Her bond with Phoebe was one of the most touching parts of the story.

Favorite Scenes

  • Boat Day & The Grammar Debate: The ridiculous argument about “Vacations in a Cup” had me cackling! This scene was a mix of absurd humor and deep emotional moments, especially when Phoebe and Juice connected over grief.

  • Juice’s Digital Dog Funeral: Phoebe helping Juice properly say goodbye to her virtual pet was such a tender, full-circle moment for both of them.

  • Shopping with Juice: The dialogue in this scene was both hilarious and heartwarming. One of Juice’s lines that had me laughing:

    “I’d never carry an umbrella anyway… It’s so embarrassing… It’s humiliating… It’s humiliating to be so… prepared.”
    Her dry humor was one of my favorite things about her character!

Fantasy Casting

If this book were turned into a movie, here’s who I’d cast:

  • Phoebe: Lizzy Caplan

  • Lila: Elle Fanning

Standout Quotes

  • “This is my wedding! I’ve been planning this my entire life.’ ‘I’ve been planning this my entire life.’ It’s not until Phoebe says it that she realizes it’s true. Not that she’s always wanted to end her life. But it’s been an idea, a self-destruct button Phoebe never forgot was there, even during her happiest moments.” – Page 17

  • “You think too much,” Bob tells Phoebe. She didn’t know what her problem was, and she hated how eager she was for someone else to decide something conclusive about her. That was her problem, she knew. But it genuinely surprised her. Wasn’t thinking a good thing?”

Final Thoughts

I absolutely loved The Wedding People. It’s a book that lingers with you—filled with humor, heartbreak, and self-discovery. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend adding it to your list!

If you’ve read The Wedding People, I’d love to hear your thoughts! Comment below or join us for next month’s Under the Umbrella Book Club discussion on TikTok Live. See you there!

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