Emily & Dave’s Celebration of Love

April 2024 | Celebration Stories

A wedding at The Greenery at McKenzie’s Farm |

Love Story

Emily and Dave first met in 2012 while working together at the Little Pub in Ridgefield, CT. As their friendship grew, they discovered they shared many of the same interests and outlooks on life, and began dating in the spring of 2013. When Emily left the Pub in 2014 to go to law school, Dave would visit her while he continued to work at the Pub and pursue an education in brewing! In August 2017, the pair relocated to New Hampshire to start their careers and their lives together. Emily is a New Hampshire public defender and Dave is a brewer at Stoneface Brewing. Today, they live in Maine with their beloved little tabby cat Dora, who they affectionately call “Dood”.

Engagement

Every summer, Emily spends time with her family on Cape Ann. Dave had accompanied Emily to Cape Ann before, and understood how important this part of the world was to her. In August 2020, determined to hold on to some semblance of normalcy, Emily was enjoying some time on Cape Ann with her family. Dave came down to visit. The two went kayaking to a picturesque island, complete with a couple of classic lighthouses. The two went on a walk around the island, taking in the beautiful sites, sounds, and smells, and basking in each other’s company. As they reached the end of the walk, Emily was leading the way. When Dave called her name, she turned around and saw him down on one knee! He asked, and she said yes. The two left the island engaged!

Wedding Planning

Emily and Dave worked hard together to plan their wedding. It was definitely a group effort — a group effort they would not have been able to accomplish without Angela! The couple said:

“She was a great resource and broke the planning down into a series of manageable steps. It was very difficult for both of us to come home after a long day of work and still have the energy to plan our wedding. But, we tried to tackle it in manageable bits, make it fun, and, most importantly, be there for each other while doing it! And the monthly (sometimes weekly) meetings with Angela were invaluable.”

The Wedding Venue

Emily and Dave visited a lot of wedding venues together that felt good, but not quite right. They were looking for a rustic yet polished barn or farm aesthetic. Dave found The Greenery at McKenzie’s Farm online and thought it would be a good place to visit. Emily and Dave visited the venue with Angela and loved it. It was the perfect fit.

An Unforgettable Moment

Out of all the exciting moments of the day, Dave and Emily will best remember standing in front of their family and friends and actually getting married. When looking back over the blur of the day, that is the thing that stands out most clearly. That’s what it’s all about, after all!

When they saw one another for the first time, Emily says she felt excited, happy, and most of all- relieved. She had been anxious all morning, and seeing her best friend was just what she needed. Dave says he felt overcome with a sense of joy and wonder upon seeing his beautiful bride.

Advice from the Newlyweds

The couple had some advice for newly engaged couples. Here’s what they had to say:

“It will be fine! You will get it done! Just breathe! The anxiety that you are experiencing is normal, but you are the only one who will notice the things you’re stressing about. Your guests will have an amazing time. It sounds cliché, but it goes by so fast. So be sure to be present and have fun.

No matter how much you plan, things will go wrong. And that’s okay! That doesn’t mean you can’t strive for your vision, but just remember to be flexible so that you don’t break down and are still able to enjoy the day! You’re supposed to be able to enjoy it, too!”