The Meet Cute : The couple tells it two different ways : The first is that they met through a mutual friend , but the truth is they connected on Hinge in August 2020 . Sydnee had casually joined the dating app in hopes of scoring some dinners and racking up funny stories to tell her friends , while John went in with the intention of finding a partner . Despite the mismatched intentions , the two soon found they were a perfect match after John made the first move .
The Engagement : Come March 2022 , the two had planned a trip to Orlando , Florida , complete with designated days for certain activities . When Sydnee saw rain was in the forecast , she suggested they swap their beach and Universal Studios days — much to John ’ s chagrin . Little did she know John had flown in friends from New York for a surprise proposal by the ocean . Luckily , he pivoted and instead popped the question in front of a beautiful fountain at the park . “ I missed John ’ s whole speech because I saw someone standing behind a tree and was worried someone was going to try and grab my purse from the bench ,” Sydnee says . “ Unbeknownst to me it was John ’ s best man , Riley , hiding with a camera !” When she turned to find John down on one knee , she was in total shock — he had to ask three times before he finally got his “ Yes .”
The Venue : They toured seventeen different venues before settling on Shepherd ’ s Run after finding it on Instagram . John likes a rustic barn look while Sydnee is a fan of mansion-style estates with sprawling lawns , so it was the perfect compromise . Sydnee also insisted on a tent for the reception . “ That was always my dream since I was a little girl ,” she says . “ Also , the venue staff is fantastic ” — as evidenced by the way they were able to seamlessly move cocktail hour inside when a few showers rolled in . The couple ’ s guests never knew it wasn ’ t part of the original plan .
June 22 , 2024
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The Color Palette : “ John is colorblind , so I had free rein of the color palette ,” says Sydnee . Since they are an outgoing couple , Sydnee felt drawn to bright and colorful shades . Oddly enough , she found the perfect scheme in a Fenty Beauty eyeshadow palette . “ I loved how so many different colors could still look cohesive ,” she explains . She sent photos to their vendors (“ Our florist dubbed the theme ‘ bold pastels ’”), and they made the magic happen .
The Highlights : Sydnee loved hanging out in the bridal suite before the ceremony . “ All of my bridesmaids , except for one , live out of state , so I only see them a couple times a year . It was so special to have that support and love around me , and it ’ s always fun to be around your girlfriends during such an exciting time !” She also loved their vows . “ We are competitive and had an ongoing competition about whose vows would be better , and we had so much fun asking all our guests whose they liked more !”
90 | ENGAGED IN SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND 2025