Wedding Day

Wedding

Lake Pearl Wrentham

Reception

Our Wedding

For those that don't know our story,&nbsp;Matt and I&nbsp;met in November 2012 at The Fours in Quincy. He was there with his friend, Vance, and we met&nbsp;through&nbsp;mutual friends to watch the Patriot's game. I&nbsp;always say I knew pretty quickly that I liked him, but Matt had been planning to move back home to Connecticut, and wasn't looking to get into a relationship with someone in Boston. Fast forward a few months, (after a few too many drinks)&nbsp;I texted Matt one night asking him if he ever did move back home, and when he replied with no, I&nbsp;asked him if he'd like to go and grab a drink. It's 2018 and we've been together ever since.

How We Met!

This is hands down the best day&nbsp;of my life.

Matt and I were having a&nbsp;weekend away with his friends in&nbsp;Portland, ME, and on our way back&nbsp;we had planned to spend the night in Portsmouth NH. I was so stoked because&nbsp;Portsmouth is a place where we have celebrated two anniversaries (New Years Day) and I couldn't wait to be there in the warm summer weather! On the drive down from Portland, Matt was unusually quiet and I just assumed he was tired from the previous nights out with friends in Maine. As we approach the proposal spot, Matt would not let me use his phone for GPS and was adamant on parking the car as close as possible to the restaurant. If you know Matt like I do, you know he is not a very pushy person and tends to go with the flow. Of course we could hardly find the restaurant, Martingale Wharf,&nbsp;and once we did the outdoor deck was unbelievably busy with people eating, drinking, and soaking up the sun. I headed to the bathroom, and while I&nbsp;am in there Matt asks the people behind us if they would take a video of him proposing. When I come back to our spot on the deck overlooking the water, I&nbsp;notice that Matt is giving me the strangest, most indescribable look I&nbsp;have ever seen. He stands up and starts repeatedly and nervously rubbing my upper back while staring me down, unable to get his words out. I'm about to&nbsp;ask him if everything is okay and&nbsp;he gets down on one knee and asks me to spend the rest of his life with him. Before Matt even has the chance to finish and&nbsp;say "Will You&nbsp;Marry Me?" I jump out of my seat and start saying "Oh My God Yes" all the while crying like a little girl! With a round of applause from the insane amount of people nearby, I could not stop crying and hugging him. There is no word that is capable of describing that moment together, and we'll always have that special&nbsp;memory.

The Proposal

After I started to catch my breath, I obviously wanted to call my parents and tell them the exciting news. After calling and texting them both several times, Matt says let's wait until later and just enjoy our day. He brings&nbsp;me back up to the road and says he wants to check out that outdoor patio that we've heard about at&nbsp;The Gaslight. As we approach the back of the restaurant, Matt nearly pushes me through the doors that lead outside to the patio. I turn outside,&nbsp;look up, and there waiting for us are my parents and his parents. Instant. Tears. Again.&nbsp; Both of our parents congratulated&nbsp;us,&nbsp;offered&nbsp;their well wishes, and thankfully offered champagne! Matt arranged for both of our parents to spend the night in&nbsp;Portsmouth too, and we spent the afternoon/evening having dinner and drinks together. Matt planned every moment with&nbsp;such great detail and secrecy, and that's something I will always cherish.&nbsp;

Turns out, the surprise was not over.

Our Story

Details

Photos

I met Carl through a hockey team we were both a part of way back when we were just teenagers. We were more acquaintances at that time and our friendship didn't develop then since I took off for college shortly after.&nbsp;&nbsp;Once I graduated from college and moved back home Carl and I ended up meeting at a local bar through a mutual friend. I will never forget that day as we both realized how much we had in common&nbsp;and we have become the best of friends ever since reconnecting. Carl and I share the passion for our beloved New York Rangers and we both are&nbsp;such beer connoisseurs.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Carl Blanchone

Eva and I have known each other since Liberty Elementary School but never started hanging out until we were just about to graduate High School. I always say I regret not getting to really know each other quicker, because she's been such a great friend over the years.&nbsp;Whether it's watching the Patriot's win&nbsp;their game&nbsp;each week, beating ourselves up at the gym, or having some drinks and vent sessions, she's my go-to girl!

Eva Barry-Murphy

Brian has been my longest friend. We met when we were in high school through local friends. We have been through it all from partaking in Wallingford, CT shenaninigans to vacationing together to some great places.&nbsp;He's my go to guy when I'm looking to soak up the sun with someone for endless hours.

Brian Soares

I have also known Amanda for quite some time, as we met in High School! Amanda and I&nbsp;became close friends through working together at KinderCare. We became so close, that eventually we were banned from working in the same room together because all we would do is quote movies and sing along to the background Disney songs. Amanda has been one of the most supportive people in my life, and is always there whenever I need an honest opinion and a push in the right direction.

Amanda Matthews

Jeremy&nbsp;and I were introduced through our mutual friend Adam back in our college days. Who would have&nbsp;known we would have ended up living together up in Boston for 5 years?! Felton and I both enjoy a good laugh and good comedy movie such as Dumb&nbsp;&&nbsp;Dumber. He's the kind of guy you call when you want to have a fun&nbsp;night out on the town and let loose.

Jeremy Felton

Lindsay and I went to High School together as well but never had the same friend groups. We became close by working together at KinderCare in the 2 year-old classrooms and spending our spring and&nbsp;summer afternoons at Waterclub or Crossing 9's. Lindsay not only is the friend who offers comforting&nbsp;advice, but she&nbsp;is the best dancer I&nbsp;know and always pulls me out of my comfort zone and onto the dance floor beside her!

Lindsay Coleman

I met Adam in Junior year of college where he gave me the life-long nickname of "Meatball",&nbsp;and we've been the best of friends ever since. Adam and I like to explore new restaurants in the Boston area and frequent the Southie bar scene.&nbsp;I'm lucky to have such a sincere, and generous friend in my life who I can talk to about anything over a glass of whiskey.

Adam Hobbs

Jill and I&nbsp;have been friends for 14 years and that's incredibly rare. Jill is the girl that is always laughing and has a smile on her face; naturally she puts a smile on your face, too. If you have a wild idea and you need someone to pull it off with you, she's your girl!&nbsp;We have gone on&nbsp;an insane amount of adventures&nbsp;together but that's what makes our friendship so great.

Jill Doyle

Chris and I&nbsp;met our first day at Keene State and we've been heckling one another every day since. We never lived together in college, which looking back was for the best, but that didn't stop us from becoming as close as brothers. I&nbsp; was his Best Man as he married&nbsp;Jenny this past August and I'm honored that he will be standing up with me in October as I marry&nbsp;Marissa.

Chris Daignault

I met Jenny through Matt, as they both went to Keene State together! Jenny married Chris, who also went to Keene State, and is one of Matt's best friends.&nbsp;We clicked right away and have become so close over the past 4 years. Jenny is so thoughtful, honest, inspiring, and not to mention one of the best moms that I know!&nbsp;

Jenny Daignault

Nick Nick Nick... Where does one begin with Nick? Nick is my cousin who was once this quiet and&nbsp;innocent kid who has grown into a ball-busting and witty&nbsp;best friend. Whenever I'm around Nick it is always a good time filled with sarcasm and car bombs resulting in agonizing hangovers for myself,&nbsp;as Nick claims he doesn't know what those are.

Nick Primiani

Gator! For those who don't know why my brother&nbsp;Bryan is called Gator, just ask my God Father,&nbsp;Craig Primiani. Bryan and I&nbsp;have an 11 year age gap between us, but that hasn't stopped us from becoming such good friends. At one point Bryan was an extremely&nbsp;shy kid&nbsp;and over the past several years I've watched him turn into a smart and outgoing man. He has made me an incredibly proud big brother, and I&nbsp;am honored to have my not-so-little brother in my wedding party.

Bryan Avenia

Allie is Matt's sister and she lives out in&nbsp;Portland, OR! I&nbsp;have been so fortunate to get closer to&nbsp;Allie and I&nbsp;love when she comes home to visit. I watched her and her husband Marc get married in 2016 out in the wine country of Oregon, and I&nbsp;can't wait for her to stand beside me as I&nbsp;marry her brother!

Allie Messier

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

For your comfort and convenience we have made the following hotel arrangements. A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a special rate at Hawthorn Suites&nbsp;for our wedding night as well as&nbsp;the night before. These rates are available until September 19&nbsp;by mentioning the Manning &&nbsp;Avenia&nbsp;wedding. You can reserve a room by calling&nbsp;508-533-3500&nbsp;should you want to stay the night.

Marissa & Matthew

Marissa & Matthew

Travel

Franklin, MA, USA