Some couple’s stories start with dating apps or chance encounters. Sean and Kristina’s started because one very determined older gentleman decided he needed to play matchmaker.
Sean, who proudly embraces being an old soul, had become friends with a man he often crossed paths with at a local restaurant – the same restaurant Kristina’s parents frequented regularly. One day, the gentleman spotted Kristina’s parents and walked right up to them with an idea: “You have a daughter who’s single, right?” Slightly alarmed, they quickly replied, “Um, we do, but she’s way too young for you.” Laughing, he clarified, “No, no, not for me – for my friend Sean.” As it turned out, Sean already had several connections to the family, including working as Kristina’s brother-in-law’s business accountant. Suddenly, the idea didn’t feel quite so random after all.
Kristina, however, was not exactly thrilled by the thought of being set up by her family – especially with someone she’d never met. But after some encouragement from her mom and sister (and one particularly convincing argument that Sean had a very nice dog) she finally agreed to meet him for breakfast on St. Patrick’s Day. What was supposed to be a simple breakfast date quickly turned into an all-day adventure. After breakfast came green beers in downtown Pittsburgh, then a walk through the city, then a spontaneous trip back to Sean’s house to meet that very nice dog and take him for a walk in the park. Kristina joked later that she thought she’d been kidnapped because somehow this “quick breakfast date” had turned into spending the entire day together. But from that day on, they never stopped talking.
Over the next seven years, people constantly asked when they were ever going to get married. Sean always had the same answer: “Great things take time.”
In January, after postponing a family trip to Connecticut because Sean had gotten sick, Kristina woke up the morning they were supposed to leave feeling absolutely miserable herself. She begged Sean to go see his family without her, convinced she was coming down with something awful. (She later discovered she had both the flu and norovirus at the same time – which honestly feels unfair.) Later that afternoon, Sean came upstairs insisting Kristina needed to come downstairs because the dog had hurt his foot. Exhausted and sick, she reluctantly made her way downstairs – only to find Sean, Boost, and an enormous five-foot tall heart balloon with a paw print in the middle that read: “Will You Marry Me?”
Sean was down on one knee. And Kristina was trying not to throw up.
Naturally, she said yes – although the proposal did involve several interruptions for vomiting. Sean later admitted he couldn’t postpone the proposal because he had already planned to announce the engagement to his family during their trip and he was also worried the giant balloon might deflate if he waited too long. (Ironically, the balloon lasted for over a year without shrinking at all.)
Honestly, it feels like the perfect beginning for Sean and Kristina: heartfelt, hilarious, completely unexpected – and proof that sometimes Moms really do know best.
Like every good love story, their wedding day came with a few unexpected twists too. After spending countless hours DIY’ing so many of the beautiful details themselves, Kristina had planned to set everything up Friday night – only for a venue mix-up to push setup to have to be done early Saturday morning instead.
And while the forecast promised sunshine and perfect spring weather, rain rolled in just in time for them to have to make the difficult decision to move their already-set outdoor ceremony under the covered patio.
But somehow, none of it mattered. The rain, the last-minute changes, the stress – it all faded into the background next to the joy they felt finally becoming husband and wife. Their day was still beautiful, emotional, and full of so much love – the kind of day that perfectly reflected the two of them: grounded, joyful, flexible, and completely certain that they were exactly where they were meant to be.
Huge shout-out and thank you to the amazing team of vendors, as well as friends & family, who helped make Kristina and Sean’s wedding day absolutely perfect!
Ceremony and Reception Venue: The Willow in Johnstown, PA
Bakery: Tasty Bakery in Murrysville, PA
Bridal Gown: Blanc De Blanc in Pittsburgh, PA
Groom’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse in Pittsburgh, PA
Hair: Promise Bridal Artistry in Pittsburgh, PA
Makeup: Glam with Sam LLC in Pittsburgh, PA
Florist: Fleurish Flower and Gift Shop in Johnstown, PA
Kids Play Area: Indiana Mini Castles in Indiana, PA
DJ: DJ Adam Bomb of Moxie Events in Mt. Pleasant, PA
Photographer: Hannah Rob Photography in Pittsburgh, PA
Wedding Content Creator: Kara Abbey in Irwin, PA
