The Riverview

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Maddie and Andrew met back in early 2020. Maddie would visit her good friend in Enfield, CT from time to time, and started attending family events with her. This is how Maddie met her friend's brother-in-law, Andrew. Forming a love connection was not on either one of their minds at that time, but they enjoyed catching up through casual conversation here and there throughout the years. In October of 2022, they spent a lot of time chatting at Andrew's nephew's birthday party. As Andrew was leaving, Maddie's friend (who had been planting seeds to her about what a great pair they would make) "persuaded" the two to hug, and that hug ignited a spark. After a few months, Andrew decided to take his shot by sending Maddie a Facebook message. Unfortunately for Andrew (and for Maddie), Maddie is absolutely terrible at checking for and responding to messages (her words, and many people reading this know this to be true) so Drew's message landed in an abyss of unread messages. But he did not give up hope! Instead, he devised a plan to throw a family birthday party and have Maddie be invited through her friend so that he could "corner her" (his words) and ask her out on a date. Luckily for him, no cornering at a family dinner party was necessary. Maddie received some "intel" a few days before the party that she should check her messages for a very specific message from a very specific someone. Maddie used the party as her excuse to immediately send a message to Andrew in which she also profusely apologized for not responding to his earlier message. The chat took off. In their early messages, they quickly discovered two things: 1. They really enjoyed having a conversation together and 2. They're both extreme nerds. This led Andrew to invite Maddie to see the Dungeons and Dragons movie after the party that weekend. We know, super romantic first date- a perfect 20 if you ask us. IYKYK. Despite a few hilarious hiccups at the party and both of them falling asleep at separate times during the movie (those recliners are too darn comfortable), they had an amazing time and knew that they wanted to see where things went even if there was a little geographical distance between them. The rest is history.

Unexpected Love

For Christmas of 2023, Andrew gave Maddie the most mediocre gift she's ever received - a trip to Maui. Andrew pulled out all the stops for this trip: a room at the Ritz-Carlton, massages at the spa, various excursions, lavish dinners, omelets with tons of goat cheese.... How could Maddie possibly answer "No"? On Christmas Eve they went for a walk along the coast, and Andrew found the perfect spot to pop the question, and he guised it as the perfect place to set up a tripod and take a picture. Maddie gets asked a lot of questions (especially as a teacher), and this was the easiest question she's ever had to answer.

The Proposal

Our Story

Photos

Emilee is Maddie's literal "Day 1." Maddie met Emilee in the first grade when Maddie moved to Franklin. During Maddie's first tour and visit to the classroom, Emilee's famous line was "Let's all clap for the new girl!" Their friendship blossomed from there, and Emilee even put up with Maddie during her middle school years. *Shudder*

Nothing could break their bond-  not even attending different high schools and colleges. Their 23+ year friendship has included silly videos, coloring, brewery visits, hikes, sleepovers, and Capri Sun. They are truly best friends for life and Maddie can't imagine a more perfect choice for her MOH!

Emilee Purdy

Maddie has Melissa to thank for meeting Drew. She is "the friend" that introduced her to Drew and nudged them together. Maddie met Melissa at a school they both used to work at in Springfield, MA. Maddie was a third grade teacher and Melissa was a kindergarten paraprofessional, so forming a friendship wasn't likely, but clearly that didn't stop them. They made lots of time together outside of work  taking trips to Sonny's and Six Flags, making cinnamon rolls and bacon for breakfast, and watching Melissa's boys grow.

While their time working together was short, their friendship (and now sisterhood!) has stood the test of time and distance. Maddie is extremely thankful to be gaining Melissa as a sister-in-law!

Melissa Wayner

Maddie first got to meet Lindsey when Peter brought Lindsey to a family thanksgiving. Coincidentally, Maddie and Lindsey were wearing the same exact coat, so making a connection wasn't difficult at all.

Lindsey and Maddie have had lots of fun memories together like Lindsey's bachelorette trip in Arizona (where we narrowly made it out before the COVID shutdown), competitive games (mostly against Peter) of Sorry and Fibbage, and spontaneous Adele karaoke sessions. She  is extremely kind and generous, and brings happiness and laughter to every situation. She has been such a wonderful addition to the Gordon clan and an incredible sister-in-law to Maddie. The wedding party just wouldn't be complete without her!

Lindsey Gordon

Steph and Maddie connected before freshman year of college as everyone was scrambling to find a roommate to avoid random selection. When they started chatting to see if it would be a good roommate fit, it was almost bizarre how much they had in common. Maddie and Steph quickly jumped on the opportunity to live together and had an incredible freshman year experience together, full of video games, Spongebob references, and adventures. They even bought the same bed set without realizing it! While they did not live together after freshman year, they never lost touch. They did marching band together and joined the same sorority, Tau Beta Sigma. Stephanie is now married to one of Maddie's other best friends and former roommate, so needless to say she is stuck with Maddie forever. They're like sisters... only closer......

Stephanie DaSilva-Meigs

Liz and Maddie found themselves in mutual circles in college, doing marching band together and working UMass's New Student Orientation program together for a summer. Oddly enough, it was post-college where they forged a strong friendship after they discovered a mutual need for a roommate in the Western Mass area. Liz and Maddie could not have had a more fun experience living together in Holyoke. They had countless nights filled with laughter, playing with Emma, games, the Bachelor, and Domino's. One huge added benefit of Maddie moving to Connecticut was finding out that Liz would only be a stone's throw away from her a couple towns over. Maddie has heavily treasured Liz's friendship over the years and looks forward to all of the fun adventures they will have together!

Elizabeth Garczynski

Andrew couldn't ask for a better brother than Michael (though Andrew did ask his mom to name him Ralph after the Greatest American Hero). They grew up extremely close even though there was a 5 year age gap. Andrew and Michael did almost everything together, playing hide-and-seek G.I. Joe, roof tennis, and kitchen hockey with wooden spoons and any ball they could find. As the boys grew up they each found their own unique interests and talents, and among Michael's was music. As part of the band Invictus (formed with his friends), Michael rocked out on many stages, including opening for Motörhead, and Drew was always proud to be in the crowd or behind stage as a roadie. Michael and Drew do share one common interest and dream since they were young...to make their own video game. Life hasn't always made this easy, but they will make this happen someday, so keep an eye out!

Michael Wayner

Drew was so excited when his aunt and uncle told him that he had a new cousin named Evan, and was even more honored many years later when they asked him to be Evan's godfather. As a child Evan became interested in gymnastics and Drew looked forward to cheering Evan from the stands at his competitions. Drew is extremely proud of Evan as he continues his career as a gymnastics coach and a fitness trainer. Whether at a family gathering,  movie night, or just hanging out, Evan always makes us laugh and smile.

Evan Gardner

Peter has had the distinct pleasure of knowing Maddie since birth, so he was the perfect person to warn Drew about what he was getting himself into. Drew didn't listen to him, or any other members of the Gordon family for that matter, hence why we are gathering July 12. In the time that Drew has gotten to spend with Peter, Peter has been extremely welcoming and kind, and Drew is highly impressed by his talents on the grill. Drew is really looking forward to gaining Peter as a brother-in-law.
This wedding day will be all about unity, but post-wedding, Peter will be in Drew's sights during football season when it's time to pick winning teams. 

Peter Gordon

Drew and Jeff have been friends for 40 years, ever since they met in elementary school. At recess, the pair were inseparable and likely seen playing football, four-squares, or some other activity with their friends. Drew and Jeff both attended the same high school, but while Drew was learning how to program his beloved Commodore 64, Jeff was literally hurdling past his competition as a member of the track & field team. They both continued their education by graduating from Western New England College (WNEC) and, you may have guessed it, even ended up working in the same company but in different departments. Jeff and Drew have been there for each other through the best of times and the hardest of times, and their friendship remains a universal constant. 

Jeff Cloutier

While driving to the movies on their first date, Maddie did most of the talking (and Drew was very thankful for that as he was very nervous). Amidst giving Drew precious insight into her career and interests, Maddie mentioned she was moving in with her friend Vishal at the end of the school year. She spoke very highly of Vishal, his humor, generosity, and friendship. Truer words have never been spoken as Drew found out upon meeting him on move-in day. Drew and Vishal immediately hit it off with their shared interests in gaming, science, science fiction, and his Blackstone grill.

Vishal Nair

JJ is Peter and Lindsey's daughter, and Maddie and Andrew's adorable niece. She is likely to steal the show with her infectious smile and sparkling personality!

JJ Gordon

Wedding Party

Q + A

***ROOM BLOCK AVAILABLE USING LINK******SHORT WALK TO VENUE***Please email gordonwaynerwedding@gmail.com if you have any issues with reserving a room using our block.

Andrew & Maddie

Andrew & Maddie

Travel

Simsbury Inn

Simsbury 1820 House

Avon Old Farms Hotel

Residence Inn Hartford Avon

Homewood Suites by Hilton Hartford-Farmington