Kelsey and Rachel

Occupations Kelsey is a software engineer; and Rachel is a recruiter

Wedding date June 22, 2024

Number of Guests 68

Number of Attendants (wedding party) Just our officiant Katie Connors, who was a big part of our love story from the start and even now.

How You Met We met in New York City on Bumble during the pandemic. Although we couldn’t meet in person for several weeks, we quickly realized we couldn’t stop talking and began planning a series of virtual dates. During those early conversations, we stumbled upon a meaningful (and completely unexpected) connection: one of Rachel’s best friends is Kelsey’s first cousin, Katie, who also happens to be her best friend. Neither of us had any idea about the overlap beforehand, which made the discovery feel like a bit of fate. Katie ultimately became our wedding officiant, making the day feel even more personal.

Our relationship moved quickly from there. We fell in love fast and moved in together after just six months of dating. Later that year, we relocated to Stamford, Connecticut, where we’ve been happily settled ever since.

The Engagement Over Labor Day weekend in 2022, Rachel surprised Kelsey with a visit to their favorite hidden beach spot in Stamford, Connecticut, and proposed right at the water’s edge. Afterward, the celebration continued with a surprise weekend trip to Mystic, Connecticut.

Wedding Design Inspiration Our wedding design was deeply inspired by the natural beauty of the Liriodendron Mansion, whose garden setting and classic, regal character set the tone for the day. We leaned into that aesthetic throughout our planning, aiming to complement the venue rather than compete with it. To bring our vision full circle, we chose a “garden formal” dress code, inviting guests to help enhance the overall look and feel of the celebration.

What Was Unique and Special About Your Wedding Day One of the most unique elements of our wedding day was a secret we had been keeping for an entire year. Exactly one year before our celebration—and in the very same spot where Rachel proposed—we quietly eloped. We shared the news with our guests during the ceremony, and their surprise made the moment even more memorable.

We simply couldn’t wait to be married, and choosing to elope first allowed us to spend our first year of marriage focused on just the two of us. It also brought a sense of ease and perspective to the wedding planning process, making the celebration itself feel even more joyful.

Favorite Details One of our favorite details was the travel theme woven throughout the reception, inspired by our shared love of exploring the world together. To date, we’ve visited 15 countries as a couple, and we wanted that spirit of adventure to be reflected in the celebration. Our seating chart was presented as a custom map, each table featured a centerpiece with a photo from one of our trips, and guests found luggage tags waiting at their seats as favors. These personal touches added a meaningful layer to the overall design.

Most Unexpected Event On Your Wedding Day Another unforgettable surprise came during the reception, when we hired two drag queens to perform for our guests. The performance brought incredible energy to the celebration and is something our loved ones still talk about.

As a lesbian couple, it meant so much to us to feel the support surrounding us and to celebrate our connection to the LGBTQ+ community in such a joyful, authentic way.

Piece of Advice Our biggest piece of advice is to take a moment during the day to step back with your partner and simply take it all in. Pause to observe the room, appreciate the joy surrounding you, and soak in the love from the people who showed up to celebrate your relationship. Those quiet moments together end up being some of the most meaningful memories of the entire day.

Beauty NVS Bridal Caterer Crossroads Bistro Drag Queens Brooklyn Heights and Iyana Deschanel Floral Design Ann’s Garden Honeymoon South Africa Invitations The Knot Location Liriodendron Mansion Music Shiny Entertainment Officiant Katie Connors, Kelsey’s cousin/BFF and Rachel’s BFF Photographer Olive & Mint Photography with Tia Bustanoby Wedding Dresses Anthropologie