To be wed July 4, 2020 at Belle Mer in Newport, RI.
Photograph by Melissa Stimpson Photography.
This love story begins in 2011 when Amanda and Andrew met while
both attending the University of Tampa. But though their connection was alluring
at the time, their romantic relationship didn't quite take off. Amanda transferred to
the University of South Carolina the following year and neither of them thought
they would ever see each other again. But then, in 2014, Amanda started graduate
school at Boston College and, as fate would have it, Andrew also moved to Boston
for work that same year. The couple instantly reconnected when reunited by
mutual friends visiting the area, and they have been nearly inseparable ever since.
Four years later, Andrew proposed on December 27, 2018 during a beautiful
sunset at Clearwater Beach — which is right outside of Tampa, the city where
they first met. “It was such a special moment. It felt as if our relationship had come
to a full circle,” says Amanda.
Another full circle moment: taking engagement pictures around the city where they
first fell in love. “Various people recommended we do an engagement session, as it is
great practice for wedding photos. Our photographer made us feel so comfortable,
made us laugh and even directed us to get the best photos. And then Boston holds so
much significance in our relationship. It is where our relationship truly blossomed,
where we had our first date, where we live and where we have experienced some of
our favorite memories together,” Amanda says. “We love Boston and are thrilled to
have beautiful photos to look at when we are older!”
Amanda & Andrew
Darielle & Matt
To be wed on June 12, 2020 at Castle Hill Inn in Newport, RI.
Photograph by Erin McGinn Photography.
The scene: Move-in weekend 2007 at Roger Williams University. “We were
neighbors in the freshman dorms and it was during the first few crazy days of college
that we fell in love,” Darielle says. “Matt made me laugh and smile and we had so
much fun together, but he also had a secret sweet, caring, protective side.” Meanwhile,
Matt says he fell in love with Darielle the very first time they locked eyes in the hallway.
The scene: A fall 2018 weekend trip to see Darielle’s mother in New York. One
morning, Darielle suggested a walk in Caumsett State Park. “It’s a place I went
all the time while growing up and Matt hadn’t been there yet,” she explains. Matt
and her mom then insisted on walking uphill to a spot overlooking the Long Island
sound. Once there, Matt wandered over to the edge. “I didn’t know what he was
doing, so I walked over to him,” Darielle recalls. “When I looked back, my mom
was taking a picture of us. I was about to tell him to turn around and smile, but
he was down on one knee!” In his nervous state, Matt had forgotten to present the
ring, but he took it out after Darielle excitedly agreed to marry him.
The scene: A summer 2018 engagement session at Third Beach in Middletown.
“Our photographer helped us pick the location,” Darielle says. “We thought it
would be a nice, quiet spot to take our dogs — Marley and Bodi — for a walk and
have a beach picnic. Also, I’ll take any excuse to hang out on the beach with our
little family and drink champagne!”
ENGAGED IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND 2020 | 21