After both living up and down the East Coast our whole lives, we had to move halfway across the country to meet each other. Matt grew up in Rhode Island and Dana grew up in New Jersey.
Matt moved from Boston to Lincoln, Nebraska in 2017 for work. Ironically, this was one week before Dana moved to Boston for graduate school, so we just missed each other! Dana followed for a job opportunity in Omaha at the start of 2019. On our first date in March 2019, we immediately hit it off reliving shared memories from Boston and the Jersey shore. We are attracted to each other’s ambition, wit, and steadfastness, and we share a sense of humor and so many personal values. All of this helped our relationship grow to what it is.
Just due to the requirements for our jobs and timing of leases, our entire relationship has actually been semi long distance between Lincoln and Omaha (a 50-mile trip), so we’ve made the most of our weekends and short mid-week overnights. We’re finally moving in together this week! 🙂
A little over two years after we started dating, we took a vacation to Narragansett, Rhode Island to enjoy the beach and visit with Matt’s family and friends. After a day on the beach, we planned to meet Matt’s parents out for dinner when Matt said that they were “stuck in traffic” and suggested we pull off to a scenic overlook to kill time. As we enjoyed the gorgeous views of the ocean and Point Judith lighthouse, Matt knelt down and proposed! Matt’s family friend, a photographer, was hiding nearby and captured the moment on camera. Dana had no idea what was coming, but Matt had spent that whole day at the beach carefully fielding texts from friends and family and making sure Dana re-applied sunscreen so she wouldn’t be burned for the photos 🙂
After soaking in the moment, we headed back to the beach house to gather our wits. When we walked in, not only were Matt’s parents waiting for us there, but Matt’s brothers and sister-in-law and Dana’s parents had made the trip to celebrate with us as well! We had a fantastic rest of the evening full of champagne, lawn games, and a surf and turf feast.
Wedding Venue & Catering: Annapolis Waterfront Hotel
Wedding Cake: Blue Crab Cupcakes
Invitations: The Dandelion Patch
Wedding Dress: Pronovias gown from Betsy Robinson Bridal
Wedding Photographer: Carly Fuller Photography
Rings: Lincoln Jewelry Co.
Attendants/VIP Dress or Suits: Dessy Group/Men’s Wearhouse
Makeup Artist and Hairstylist: Brushed Beauty, LLC
Florist and Coordination: Elegance & Simplicity
Plants: Plants Alive
Officiant: Taylored Vows
DJ/Band and Lighting: Dan Goldman Events
Videographer: Ben Fordham Films
Head table linens – DC Event Rentals
Calligraphy – Coastal Creations
Transportation: Towne TransportFirst Dance Song: Stay With You by John Legend