I’m really excited to debut our new feature of real Connecticut weddings with the story of Lisa and Sean. Lisa Manke and Sean Kimball were married in an intimate ceremony at the gorgeous Owenego Inn in Branford, Connecticut on August 9th, 2008. Surrounded by 150 of their closest family and friends, their wedding was a detailed reflection of their amazing love story.

How did you two meet?

Sean and I met while studying abroad in our junior year of college. We were introduced by mutual friends while touring the Vatican gardens in Rome in November. It was raining and I had come prepared with an umbrella. Sean, on the other hand, wore a rain soaked fleece jacket and shivered in the cold. I offered to share my umbrella with him and he happily accepted. We laughed, talked and lagged behind the group. From that point on we were inseparable. We spent all of our free time together for our final three weeks in Italy, hitting up museums, exploring around town and drinking Chianti after dark in the piazzas. Their first dates involved trips to Venice, Pompeii and Sorrento, and studying for finals soon became less of a priority!

How did he propose?

Sean proposed in June of 2007. It was nearing my birthday and he told me that we would be going out to celebrate a week in advance. I was tired and ambivalent about going altogether. Sean lured me by telling me that he had made reservations at our favorite Italian restaurant. We drove to Branford CT and he told me that we had some time to kill before heading to dinner. He suggested that we visit Hotchkiss Grove, where I had spent every childhood summer. We parked in front of my parent’s house and walked along the beach towards the pier. As we got closer I was able to see that there was something set up at the end of the pier. Sean escorted me closer and brought me to a small table that had a gorgeous bouquet of roses and a bucket with ice and champagne. I sat down, grinning from ear to ear with butterflies in my stomach. Sean proposed to me on one knee and I said yes without hesitation. We spent the rest of the celebrating at our favorite restaurant with a bottle of Chianti from the year that we met. He had reserved us a room at the neighboring Owenego Inn which ended up being the future site of our wedding ceremony and reception.

…. Next up: The Ceremony

The Vendors

The day was documented and captured by the talented photographer, Robin Dini of Robin Dini Photography. Hair and makeup for the bride and party was done by Dan of Studio 8 Salon in North Haven. Lisa’s bridal gown was a Monique Lhuillier’s “Miranda”.The bridesmaids’ gowns were varying Simple Silhouettes in a beautiful spring green from Bella Bridesmaids in Westport. The groom wore a khaki Brooks Brothers suit and tie, which complimented the groomsmens’ blue blazers and khaki’s from their own personal collection. Ceremony, reception, and caterer is the Owenego Inn in Branford, Connecticut. The speciality non-dairy wedding cake was baked fondly by Cakes Unlimited in Torrington. Florist, including bouquets and centerpieces, was Fleur de Lys of New Haven, Connecticut. Their save-the-dates were hand crafted with love, but the invitations were designed by Elm City Fine Stationers in New Haven, Connecticut. Guests danced the night away courtesy of the band, Brick Park out of Boston, Mass. In lieu of favors, the couple made a generous donation to to NAMI, the National Alliance of Mental Illness.

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