Casa Mia on the Hill

Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day

Ceremony

The Mountain Room at Mount Southington

Reception

DoubleTree by Hilton Bristol

After Party

Fall

Our Wedding

This story begins with a simple swipe right on hinge (for the folks that don’t know what this is it’s a dating app). We shared a few silly conversations while chatting, but quickly moved to texting. After a bit of talking I (Crystal) thought Spencer had ghosted me. While I know I can be dramatic to be fair the last time I had heard from him was at 11am and it was now 7pm, most normal people would have responded in 8 hours. I was sitting at a table in Plaza Azteca with some friends and was losing hope. Turns out I am dramatic and Spencer isn’t a normal person. He failed to inform me that he worked 2am-10am and slept during the day hence the no texting. The next day he sent me money for a coffee and I knew he was a keeper. This picture is the first picture we ever took together. While there were a couple of dates in between this was a monumental day, Valentine’s Day 2021. While an extremely pivotal moment in our relationship it was far from normal, something you’ll grow to realize is we are not normal at all. Spencer came stumbling into my apartment at the time carrying a giant Mickey Mouse, flowers, and a huge box of chocolates. We always joke he is like Bambi when he is learning how to walk, if you’ve spent any time with Spencer you know he is a bull in a china shop. After exchanging gifts we left for a very nice dinner where we sat at the bar and Spencer ordered a Caesar salad and a ginger ale, his stomach hurt, but insisted to not let that deter me from getting a drink or a heavy meal. Spencer barely ate his salad but I enjoyed my sangria and pasta dish. The car ride home was the moment I knew this man was someone I wanted to bring into my life. He is so caring, kind, and gentle. This picture will forever encapsulate the sparks of young love and little did we know the beginning of our happily ever after.

Where it all started…

365 days with my forever person. The person I get to tell all my ideas, problems, anxieties, jokes, questions, and everything in between. For this picture, we were instructed to pose for the photo op that Crystal set up for us in animal kingdom, but she didnt even need to put on a smile for the picture. That was her face the entire trip. To celebrate one year together, we got the chance to party it up at the most happiest place on earth. Everything from Jasons once in a lifetime magic kingdom surprise, to reading the word cantaloupe on the menu at an Italian restaurant in Epcot, thinking that it was a fancy Italian word for a a type of spice or meat, only to find out the chef has placed fruit on my pizza, this trip was the best of our lives. But not just because of that, or even the magic, the rides, the drinks, or the food, but because I got to spend it with my future wife. She enjoyed it so much she got a tattoo of Mickey on her right wrist. I skipped out on the ink, but something else stayed with me. And that was the look of pure ecstasy and awe in Crystals eyes, with Mickey ears on her head, watching fireworks light up Cinderellas castle. That is an image I will hold with me forever.

One year in the making…

I am not a planner.&nbsp;Crystal is usually the one who sets everything up. So when it came time to try to provide Crystal with a proposal worthy of her love, I had to make sure it was as special as it could be.&nbsp;Early in our relationship, we went to the Hammett Hotel in Newport for Crystals birthday.&nbsp;That weekend meant the world to us. We got to know each other so deeply and we both realized this is special. This is going to be the person we want to be with for the long haul. So when trying to come up with places to give her the ring, I knew it had to be Hammett. Through that time, I worked with family and friends to help make the weekend in August the best it possibly can be. I figured out how to book an Airbnb, plan an impromptu photo shoot (thank you Mr. Vicente) and most importantly, how to buy a ring that will symbolize the first step in forever. So once everything was set in place, I whisked Crystal away on a “weekend trip” to a surprise location. Friends and family were ready in waiting at the hotel as we drove to our destination.&nbsp;I felt pretty chill about the whole thing until we passed the bridge that makes it feel like you are ascending into heaven (in a way, I was!).&nbsp;Once I reached the other end of the bridge, the anxiety started to set in. Parking was an absolute nightmare and once we did find a spot near the hotel, a moment happened that helps define our relationship.&nbsp;We get out of the car and I walk over to her side to greet her, and I try to smoothly grab the ring from her mother she had on off her hand. Thinking I’m being Mr. Smooth, I go “you might not be needing this anymore”. Crystal then immediately says back to me “that’s my right hand you idiot”.&nbsp;We both start to laugh and walk over to the spot.&nbsp;At this point she has a feeling what’s about to happen. We turn onto the dock attached to the hotel and I get down on one knee. The patrons around us started to cheer as Crystal embraces me with an emphatic yes. August 20th, 2022.&nbsp;

The Proposal...

Our Story

Photos

KayLee is truly my other half. The amount of stories I could tell and things I could say about KayLee are endless. So I am going to try to keep this short and sweet. I feel beyond blessed to have someone that completes me to the fullest. She is the definition of the phrase “ride or die”. I have never had a friendship so honest, intentional, crazy (IYKYK), and full of laughter like this. I hope that everyone gets to experience a friendship like this in their lifetime. From freshman year to forever! 

KayLee Favre

From college intramurals to a lifelong friendship! Jenna is one of the most caring, creative, and loyal people I know. She has picked me off the floor more times than I can count both physically and emotionally(college was rough at points). If I ever need advice she is who I go to. She also just knows how to have a great time. There is never a time I am with Jenna and I do not have a smile plastered on my face. I am so lucky to have her in my life. 

Jenna McCarthy

Oh gosh! Alex! She has been with me since 2012. She dealt with me through high school and anyone that did that deserves an award. She has seen me through so many phases of life: high school, college, working with each other at our local pizza joint, first break ups, to long term relationships; and has never faltered. Our friendship is so easy and natural which is mostly due to Alex being so amazing. If I had to describe Alex I would tell you she is easy going (which many of you know I am not), committed, and down to earth. She helps ground me and it is something I am forever grateful for.

Alex Aparicio

My orientation counselor sister! My supportive sea lion! My fellow diet coke loving girlie! Emily and I’s friendship blossomed during our senior year of college and just started to exponentially grow from there. Even through a pandemic she would make it a point to reach out and find time to catch up. We soon started monthly dinner dates and our bond grew every month. She quickly became such a constant and close friend in my life. I am so fortunate to have a friend that is so supportive, an amazing listener, someone who makes me belly laugh from my core, and gives the best hugs!

Emily St. Lawrence 

Everyone, I am finally getting a sister!! I have always wanted a sister and I ended up with a brother…but now I am gaining the most amazing sister. Lauren embodies big sister energy in the best way. She is someone Spencer and I constantly go to for advice, a shoulder to lean on, or a good gaming session. Not only am I grateful to have her in my life now, but I am grateful that Spencer has such an amazing sister we both now get to look up to.

Lauren Daniels 

Dena waltzed into my life in a time where I needed a friend. Making friends as an adult can be hard and I feel like I won the adult friend lottery. Dena and I are so in sync it’s crazy! She is always down to go to all the crazy drinks, food, and flower places I send her on TikTok. Dena is such a reliable, caring, enthusiastic friend. I am so grateful she walked into my life when she did and now she is forever stuck with me! The bond we have made has become unbreakable and I couldn’t imagine my life without her. 

Dena Branciforte 

I’ve technically known Brian since pre-k (shoutout Red Stone Hill). Through elementary, middle and high school, I got the chance to get to know Brian mainly through sports. From layup lines at MSP practice, to sporadic mound visits in baseball where Brian would be on the mound and I would come up to him from third base and try to get him to laugh uncontrollably before having to strike the next batter out, we always have a great time. From there, we both attended ECSU, ended up rooming together, and he became my best friend.

Brian Dostaler 

I couldn’t help but be excited when Crystal told me she has a brother. I love and owe so much to my sister, but trying to play with BRATZ dolls was only fun for so long growing up. Patty is the most genuine person I know.  He wears his heart on his sleeve and cares so deeply for Crystal.  The two of them interacting together is absolutely wild. I had the pleasure of sharing an apartment for 2 years with not only Crystal, but Patrick as well. We created so many memories there in Middletown and it helped grow the bond that we have now.

Patrick Vicente

Ryan grew up down the street from me. When I was about 10 years old, I was shooting hoops in my driveway, when I noticed a kid walking down the street wearing a Red Sox shirt bouncing a basketball. He came up to ask if he could join, and I said…. No, I'm good. My parents then went over to me and said I was being rude and told me to invite him (thanks mom and dad). Ryan has turned out to be one of my closest friends. We spent many days hooping, playing video games, and getting into other shenanigans. I'm grateful he's going to be a part of the big day.

Ryan Sifuentes 

What can I say about Chad that hasn’t been said before.  Chad has been a part of basically every core memory of my life. We were close right out of the gate in Ms. Pudlik’s 1st grade class.  I remember Chad coming into school one day telling me his family was thinking about moving. I got so excited because I saw a for sale sign go up down my street.  I then decided to tell Chad about it thinking how cool it would be for him to live down there. His family then decided to do just that.  I like to think I helped get that into motion (I definitely 100% did not). Chads been my ride or die forever and I'm thankful to have him be a part of the wedding.

Chad Welz

The first memory with Dean that comes to mind was MSP basketball.  We weren't able to crack the starting lineup so naturally we would goof off on the bench and then get our 5 minutes of fame at the end of a blow out. Fast forward to high school, Dean and I had the chance to get close since he was the Quarterback and I was his Center…50 SNAPS! Later on in life, he found a love for cooking.  This works out great for me because I have found a love for eating. He’s one of the smartest people I know and I feel everyone needs someone in their life that can navigate a Disney trip like he can.

Dean DeMartinis

Growing up, I thought one of the coolest things out there was Guitar Hero.  I used to play for hours on end in the bonus room trying to nail every solo in Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd. One day, Marc asked me if I wanted to play at his house after school, so I jumped at the opportunity. Him, Dean, and I started rocking out to Don’t Stop Believin’ and the rest was history. Ever since then, we’ve shared countless late night gaming sessions, Wrestlemanias, opening night Marvel showings, sporting events, and much more.

Marc DeMartinis

TP! In little league, once you graduate from AA ball, you get put into a draft. I had a few friends on the already established major league teams, and I was upset I wasn’t able to join. I ended up getting drafted to the Tigers. I didn’t know many people on the team, so I ended up bonding with the incoming group which included Tyler Pina. We hit it off (heh) immediately. I was pumped to get to Middle School after that because that meant Tyler and I would be classmates. It's crazy to see how far we've grown up from Math class with Miss. Kohl. Now between weekends playing poker and getting together to throw back a couple, I'm thankful to TP for the brotherhood we've had over the years.

Tyler Pina 

Thanks to Matt, I was introduced to the thrills of college knee hockey (rug burns and all). The trips up to Bentley are some I'll treasure for a long time, discussing the enigma that is Monkey Beer and watching Roman Reigns retire The Undertaker on the grandest stage of them all. Matt has always been the person where if you are having a bad day, you can go to him and he will say something that'll make it better. Thank you again for teaching me how to play NHL on Playstation, where I’ve lost hundreds of hours of my life. 

Matt Wilson 

Khondker is one of the most interesting people I have ever met. He will make you laugh as much as physically possible, intentional or not. He brings a certain energy into the room that can not be replicated. I’ll receive a text from him on a random Tuesday at 2:00 am talking about how good he thinks the movie Rush Hour is. With that being said, he is also immensely genuine. When he found out my family and I were going through a difficult time, his family put together a huge homemade meal and drove it over, even though he hadn't met anyone in my family prior. I am honored to have him stand by my side on the most important day of my life.

Khondker Hossain 

When it came to picking someone to marry us we knew we wanted it to be someone that we both had a special connection to and Kyle came to mind. We wanted someone that knew us to our core. Someone we both look up to, and someone we knew would make this lifetime moment memorable forever. We both feel so lucky to have Kyle in our lives and even luckier to have him be the one to marry us. 

Kyle McCarthy 

Wedding Party

Q + A

The hotel is about 5 minutes away from the venue. We will be having an after party at the restaurant in the lobby following the reception.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bristol, Connecticut

Travel

Usually during the fall they will have some spooky activities going on. This is right near the hotel as well.

Lake Compounce Amusement & Water Park

This is our favorite bagel place in the area! We definitely recommend trying them out if you have time.

Bagels Plus Plainville Inc.

This is a fun place to go especially in the fall!! There is apple picking, a corn maze, and a cute farm store.

Crystal & Spencer

Crystal & Spencer

Things to Do

Lake Compounce Amusement & Water Park

Bagels Plus Plainville Inc.

Lyman Orchards Farm Store at the Apple Barrel