ABOUT THE COUPLE

How they met:
The couple met on New Year's Eve, which is also Kathleen's birthday. She was out in Northampton, where she lived at the time, celebrating the evening with friends. She says, "As corny as it sounds, our eyes met across the room. We talked and danced the rest of the night and have been together ever since." The couple told each other later that by the second date they knew that they had found the one they were going to spend the rest of their lives with.

How he proposed:
Kevin proposed at a beautiful waterfront restaurant in South Windsor, Conn. Kathleen suspected that something was going on because he was very nervous during the car ride. The couple had a table overlooking the water next to a path which was lined with benches. Kevin suddenly asked if Kathleen wanted to take a walk before dinner. They were sitting on one of the benches looking at the water when Kevin suddenly dropped to one knee. Kathleen says, "It all happened so fast that it took me a minute to realize what was happening! I was crying and laughing and saying, 'Oh my God!' all at the same time."

Bride's occupation:
Kathleen received a bachelor's degree in communications from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst in 1995. After graduating, her career focused on the television industry where she managed a cable station, hosted two entertainment programs and was a producer. She returned to school to get a master's degree in education in 2003 and began working in higher education. She is currently a year into Springfield College's counseling master's degree program and is now focusing on counseling youth from elementary to college-aged students. She also works on developing workshops and television programs designed to raise children's self esteem.

Groom's occupation:
Kevin graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a bachelor's degree in sociology in 2002. He also played for their varsity baseball team. After graduation, he focused on working with trouble inner city youth in Springfield. After a few years, he decided to take on a new direction and now loves being a commercial insurance agent as well as a coach for the Longmeadow High School freshman baseball team.

THE CEREMONY

The ceremony:
The ceremony was at St. Brigid's Church in Amherst. The couple chose Amherst as their location primarily because of their love of the beauty and history of the town, and because it's the home of their alma mater. They also loved the fact that St. Brigid's Church was a short walk from their reception site. Guests were able to make a weekend out of our special day and many of them stayed at the inn for the duration of the festivities.

The gown:
Kathleen wore a strapless A-line ivory dress with a cathedral train. Besides the ivory color, her favorite part of the dress was the intricate gold beading sewn throughout the bodice and train.

The bouquet:
Kathleen carried a bouquet of white, ivory and pale pink roses, enhanced with summer green berries and leaves, that complimented the colors of pale green and ivory - the colors of the reception. Kathleen also carried her Grandmother Dunne's rosary with her bouquet.

The theme: The couple used roses everywhere, and the colors of ivory and pale green, to give the event a "classic summer wedding" theme. The colors complimented the inn's decor, which was done in cream and gold.

THE WEDDING PARTY

Maid of honor:
Eileen Horton DeVincent, sister of the bride.

Best man:
Noiel Brill, cousin of the groom.

Bridesmaids:
Audrey Healey, friend of the bride.

Groomsmen:
Nicholas Capman, friend of the groom.

Flower girls: Kaylin Cousineau, niece of the groom, and Kate DeVincent, niece of the bride.

Ring Bearers: Dylan Cousineau, nephew of the groom.

THE RECEPTION

Number of guests:
100. The couple agreed that they wanted an intimate wedding where they could really talk with their guests.

The reception:
The Lord Jeffery Inn, Amherst, Mass.

The cake:
The cake was a three-tiered ivory vanilla cake with white detailing. The cake was layered with vanilla frosting and raspberry jam, and adorned with fresh roses.

First song:
"Feels Like Home To Me," sung by Irish artist Edwina Gray. They chose the song, which was covered by Chantal Kreviazuk in the film "How To Lose A Guy in Ten Days," because of the couple's Irish heritage and the emotion behind the song. Kathleen and Kevin listened to a lot of songs, but when they heard that one, they knew they had found the right one because the song perfectly described their relationship and finally finding a home in one another.

The menu:
A seafood pie with lobster, shrimp and scallops was served and complimented by seasonal vegetables from local farms.

What made the day unique:
Kathleen says, "The whole day was just perfect because every part of it was so personal to us and our families." Kevin's cousin, Monsignor David Joyce, officiated the ceremony while Kathleen's Great Aunt Mona was a eucharistic minister. Her cousin, Jim Faulkner, an accomplished musician, sang "There is Love" to the couple just as he had done for Kathleen's parents when they married 35 years ago. Those moments as well as staying with our commitment to keep the guest count small just made it such an amazing, intimate day.

Most touching moment of the day:
Kathleen says, "My sister's toast was unbelievable. She perfectly captured the love that Kevin and I share and our unique qualities as a couple. She is my best friend and admittedly does not love public speaking, so having her standing there and speaking so beautifully just for us is something I will never forget."

Honeymoon destination:
The couple rented an oceanfront home in Marblehead, Mass., as they love the North Shore.