Engaged 2018 | Page 134

♥ local love   KRISTEN and MIKE October 9, 2016 // East Passage Photography A bit of rain on your wedding day is a good omen, right? “Oh, it wasn’t just a bit… There was major flooding nearby,” says Kristen of her and Mike’s October nuptials. “But we just rolled with it.” And maybe that doubled their good luck: Despite her dress turning what she calls a “dirt-colored ombre” and not being able to utilize their rustic venue to its full potential (lawn games and rain don’t exactly mix), the weather situation allowed for the couple and their photographer, Sierra from East Passage Photography, to improvise some adorable photo ops (see: bubble umbrella kiss and gentleman Mike offering his suit jacket as cover). And, fortunately, nothing else was compromised. They still got their backyard-wedding-meets-farm vibe at Terrydiddle Farm. Kristen still displayed handcrafted signage and decor that she and various loved ones spent weekends recreating from Pinterest while Mike and the guests still enjoyed a custom craft brew made by his brother-in-law. They still involved their beloved ten-year-old husky, Bruschi, in the festivities (Mike even sent him on secret missions up to Kristen’s bridal suite above the barn to catch sneak peeks on a GoPro prior to the ceremony). They still had their epic reception entrance to “Flight of the Valkyries” and they still slow danced to “No One” by Alicia Keyes, a memorable song from when they first began dating. “We met on New Year’s Eve during senior year and then coincidently ran into each other again just a few weeks later at a basketball game,” Kristen says. “We went to rival high schools so it made things very interesting!” The pair also went on to different colleges but stuck together for eleven more years before Mike (somewhat) mustered up the courage to propose during a vacation to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. “All he did was kneel down, open the ring box and freeze,” Kristen laughs. “Once I finally figured out what he was trying to do I said, ‘Well, are you going to ask?!’ Obviously the engagement panned out, and the two say that they’ve only had “awesome times” together since. It seems that they certainly know what they’re doing already, but we can’t help but hope that Kristen forever remembers the wisdom bestowed by one of her former first grade pupils during a surprise in-class bridal shower: “Be nice to your husband and give him a kiss (even though it’s gross!).” 132 | RHODE ISLAND MONTHLY'S ENGAGED 2018