The Mill Wharf

Welcome Party!

Barker House by Wedgewood Weddings

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Important Travel Note We wanted to share a quick heads-up that the World Cup will be taking place in Massachusetts on the same day as our wedding, and accommodations in the area are filling up quickly. Because availability is changing day by day, we’re not able to list specific hotels here. We strongly encourage guests to book lodging as soon as possible — whether through one of our room blocks, by connecting with us about the Airbnb options (we have reserved multiple houses), or by securing accommodations independently.

Our Wedding

They often say timing is everything, and in our case, timing was the difference between knowing someone and truly knowing your person. Matt and I had crossed paths for years without ever forming a meaningful connection, and I never once imagined our story would turn into the most magical love story. But somehow, overnight, it did, and I am forever grateful for the twist of fate that brought us together. But before we get to the special day our lives forever became twined, I'll take us back to the story behind the story of how this all came to be. Having grown up on the same road, Matt and I have known one another since elementary school. In fact, we used to ride in the same car (my dad’s vehicle, funny enough) up to Gunstock every Friday for the ski program. The only reason I even knew where Matt lived was because he would often forget an article or two of his ski equipment each week (he'll deny this, but I know I'm right), and we’d need to make an impromptu stop to grab it before heading to the slopes. Thankfully, his house wasn’t far from Pleasant Street Elementary School, just off Oak — where ours was also located, just up the other side of the lights. While our proximity was close, he was a year ahead of me in school, and our circles didn’t really cross. In fact, the only time our lives intersected again in those younger years was in a Constitutional Law class, where we were paired as debate partners… and let’s just say, we didn’t see eye to eye. He may have been my arch nemesis in that class, as he'll often admit he liked to "stir the pot to get a rile out of me," which he did, quite successfully. Then eight years passed, and our worlds moved along separate tracks, with no real reason to collide again. Somehow, even though we were once again living off the same road at our parents’ homes during the pandemic, with Matt back in town for the first time since college in NYC, our paths still didn't cross. We frequented the same coffee shops, but at different times. Unbeknownst to us, we were both on our own personal journeys of self-discovery at the same time — hiking mountains again, going to the gym, reading books that invited inner self-reflection, and finding ourselves for ourselves, just a few houses apart. Perhaps, we never would have crossed paths had it not been for both of us receiving an invitation to… of all things, a keg toss, which is particularly funny now, as neither of us drinks anymore! Somehow, by a strange twist of fate, both of us were invited to a party my dear friend Asia was co-hosting alongside Matt’s brother, Tommy. Despite us both separately feeling like it was entirely our “vibe" and coming up with numerous reasons to bail, we both figured we’d go and spend the day outside, enjoying the beautiful New Hampshire fall weather amongst friends on October 22, 2021. We’ve talked about that day many times since, laughing about how we were each one second away from staying home, and how glad we are that we followed through and went. A lot of life had passed since we’d last seen one another, and meeting again as adults — in very different places than we’d been in that high school government class — something immediately clicked. Somehow, we skipped all the small stuff and jumped straight into the bigger things: what we wanted out of life, who we were working to become, what we loved, and where we’d traveled. I shared that day that my dream was to walk the Camino de Santiago, and Matt talked about wanting to finish the New Hampshire 48 and start climbing bigger mountains. We both wanted to travel — he had just come back from Saint Thomas and New Orleans earlier that year, which had really ignited his love for exploring new places — and it was clear neither of us planned on staying in Laconia for very long. As someone who had spent a gap year traveling the world with Up with People, I fully supported his dreams of seeing new places, having no idea that I would one day join him on these adventures. I’m not sure how long we talked that day, but it must have been hours, because it felt like the conversation had just started when we noticed the sky was beginning to grow darker, and his ride decided it was time to leave. We exchanged numbers, and he promised he’d be in touch. I didn’t know if a message would actually come — but it did. And suddenly, hours later, I found myself crashing a Halloween party he was at to keep the conversation going. The next day, we spent the afternoon watching a Bruins game, and everything just clicked. There was no awkwardness, no pressure — and he’ll say the same. A week later, we found ourselves in Boston for the weekend, attending Halloween parties with my dearest lifelong friends (shout-out to the college crew fam). And, as he likes to say, I "kidnapped him" because I suggested we take the same car, and in the midst of changing plans, ended up stopping by my grandparents’ house for a short visit so I could change into a Halloween costume. We had barely started talking when he met them, and they immediately thought he was a fantastic guy. The rest, as they say, is history. Our love story came easily and, in every sense of the word, felt like home. After that day at the keg toss, we never stopped talking, getting to know each other, or sharing joyful moments — and it’s stayed that way over the last five years, with our love growing as each day has passed. Sometimes, you just know when you’ve found your person and dive headfirst with ease, which is exactly what we did. Within just ten months of that keg toss, we had packed up a U-Haul and found ourselves driving across the country to our new home in Colorado. I had spent time in the area during my Up with People years with my host family in Broomfield, but Matt had never been farther west than the Mississippi River before the move. Still, he was confident we were making the right decision, and four years later, we both agree it was the best one we could have made. Our life in Colorado has been filled with wonderful moments and adventures: skiing nearly every weekend in the winter, hiking in the Rockies, exploring neighboring states and National Parks including the Badlands, Yellowstone, and Moab, and spending many birthdays in Estes Park for Elk Fest. Matt found a men’s hockey league he loves, and I’ve made some of my closest friends through yoga classes at our local gym, and find ourselves spending time with these friend groups all together. Even better, we now have my sister and her wonderful partner, Ben, living just down the road, as well as some of my lifelong best friends — including my childhood best friend Mo from Laconia, who used to live in our apartment complex! — my Up with People family, host families, and our own little furry family at home: Winni, Suki, Binx, and our latest addition, Roxy, our sweet, gentle dog. Our love story has been one of constant evolution and growth. It’s been such a joy to watch Matt step into bigger roles at work, take risks in his career, and focus on personal development along the way. And for him, he’s shared that watching me grow into a more confident version of myself — walking a 500-mile trek across Spain solo in fall 2024, following my heart in my career, and doing the inner work — has been inspiring, too. It is so special that on our first day of meeting at the keg toss, we shared so many of our dreams, including my dream of walking the Camino and his of exploring more of the country, and we've accomplished so many of them in such a short amount of time. What we both love most about our relationship is that we prioritize our individual growth just as much as our collective growth. Together, with each other’s support, we’ve grown in more ways than we can count and have become the best versions of ourselves. So here’s to five wonderful years of love, and a lifetime to go. I can’t wait for all that comes next for us in this next chapter of life. Love, Alana and Matt

Our Story

Photos

Our Amazing Siblings Standing Beside Us

Kate Persson

We’re keeping our wedding party small — just the siblings we’ve been lucky enough to call best friends for our entire lives. Thankfully, I only had to go 2 years and 362 days without Kate by my side, and from the moment she arrived, she’s been my built-in best friend, partner in crime, and one of the greatest gifts of my life. No one knows me better or makes me laugh harder than Kate. We’ve truly been inseparable — from childhood sleepovers in each other’s rooms to her moving in with us for a few months, and now living just down the road in Colorado. I can’t imagine this day without her. Kate is everything you could hope for in a sister: loyal, hilarious, wildly thoughtful, and always up for an adventure. I’m so grateful to have her standing beside me as my Maid of Honor, and beyond blessed to walk through life with her by my side.

Thomas Missert

I didn’t know what I was getting into when I came into the world as Tommy’s younger brother — and let’s just say, life has never been boring since. From the start, he’s been the wild card, the big personality, the one you can count on for a laugh, a crazy idea, or an unforgettable story (sometimes all three at once). But through all the chaos and comedy, I truly lucked out with him as my older brother. Like Alana with Kate, I got a built-in best friend in Tommy. There’s no one who knows me better — for good or for bad — and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without him. We’ve shared so many chapters: years on the ice, hikes in the White Mountains, Bruins games, ski trips, golf days (some with more airborne clubs than others), and all the brotherly moments in between. And while there are more “Classic Tommy” stories than I could ever tell, the one I’m most grateful for is his love for the Sandwich Fair Keg Toss. If he hadn’t decided to host his own version in 2021 — in peak Tommy fashion — I wouldn’t have reconnected with Alana, and this entire love story might never have happened. So here’s to the quirks, the chaos, and the incredible brother who helped bring me to this moment. I’m so grateful to have him by my side as my Best Man.

Matt & Tommy Throughout The Years

Wedding Party

What to Wear to a Semi-Formal Wedding

41 Sites to Buy Wedding Guest Dresses

The 15 Best Places to Buy a Suit

Semi-formal to us means polished, comfortable, and no pressure. There’s no color palette or strict rules — we just want you to feel your best! One small request: please avoid jeans. For reference, slacks or khakis (not denim), dress shirts, cocktail dresses, and nicer sundresses are all perfect.Also, since the ceremony will be near the coast, we suggest you bring a light layer for the evening.

Dress Code

Q + A

Travel

Scituate Lighthouse, also known as Old Scituate Light, is a historic lighthouse located at Cedar Point in Scituate, Massachusetts. Built in 1811, it remains one of the most recognized landmarks on the South Shore and a symbol of the town’s maritime heritage. The lighthouse is a perfect spot for photos or a peaceful stroll by the ocean!

Scituate Lighthouse

This gem of a museum is all about Scituate’s centuries-old relationship with the sea. Exhibits tell the stories of courage and resilience, of hardship and tragedy, of economic shifts and technological change. There’s a lot to see! Admission is $5!

Maritime and Irish Mossing Museum

Production brewery, taproom, and sunny patio located just minutes from the Scituate waterfront in the historic Greenbush neighborhood. Enjoy 12 lines of draft beer with weekly releases, plus our brand new hand-crafted seltzer based cocktails. The brewery also offers a selection of snacks, non-alcoholic beer, &amp; soda, plus regular food trucks, live music, and educational events in our historic one-room schoolhouse. Open 7-Days a week year-round.

Untold Brewing - Scituate

Lawson Tower is a historic tower built in the style of a European castle turret. It is located off First Parish Road in Scituate Center, Massachusetts, United States. Built in 1902 to enclose a steel water tank, it is a major local landmark.&nbsp; As written by the Scituate Historical Society: "Words cannot do justice to this massive, imposing, and elegant structure. One needs to visit Scituate, hear the bells peal, and climb all 123 stairs to gain the whole experience of Thomas W. Lawson’s Tower. It is the most beautiful, most photographed, and most expensive water tower in the world!" Admission $3. Located behind the First Parish Unitarian Church and next to Central Park Housing.&nbsp;The tower and gardens are open to the public on Society Open House dates, published each year.&nbsp;The tower itself is not handicap accessible.

Lawson Tower

Things to Do

Registry

AppetizersBacon Wrapped Wild Scallops (GF) Fresh Mozzarella &amp; Grape Tomato Caprese Skewer (V, GF) Mac &amp; Cheese Panko Croquettes (V) Mini Crab Cakes with Spicy Remoulade Pork Belly BLT Crostini Rainbow Vegetable Platter with Pesto Hummus (VG, GF)

Three Entree BuffetEight Assorted Salads Seasonal Vegetables (VG, GF) Garlic Mashed Potatoes (V, GF)Oven Roasted Salmon with Tarragon Butter Sauce (GF) Rosemary Garlic Herb Chicken (GF, DF) Carved Roasted Prime Rib of Beef Au Jus with Creamed Horseradish (GF)

Beverages &amp; RefreshmentsOpen Bar at Reception, Beer, Wine, &amp; Liquor(champagne &amp; beer, wine, soda, and juices)

Alana & Matthew

Alana & Matthew

Dinner Menu