Real Wedding: Tonra & Sean
Band: Stacked Featuring Zach Dupont
Ties: Vineyard Vines
When Tonra Walsh tells husband Sean Riehl, “You had me at ‘hot chocolate,’” she isn’t kidding. One chilly Tuesday evening in February 2005, Tonra went with coworkers to Nectar’s, a bar in downtown Burlington with great live music. She ordered a hot chocolate to combat the cold, and manager Sean was happy to oblige. When her pint glass of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream arrived and Sean insisted it was on the house, sparks flew, and their fate was sealed.
Two blissful years later, the couple went for a walk together with their beloved dog, Nalia, and Sean knew he wanted to ask Tonra to be his wife. “I didn’t have an extravagant plan, but I knew I wanted to propose in a way consistent with our daily lives and to have Nalia, the only other love of my life, present,” says Sean. It was a cold December day, and as the couple walked, it began to snow. Sean took that as the only sign he needed. They were passing over a small bridge, and Tonra had stopped to peer at the creek below. “I dropped to one knee behind her and opened the box and said with her back turned, “Tonra.” She turned. “Tonra Lee Walsh, will you marry me?” Tonra accepted immediately, and the couple continued on their walk, shedding tears of joy along the way.
Sean had lived in Vermont since he was a teenager and Tonra had vacationed here several times. They both now live here full time, and have grown very fond of the area. Needless to say, neither of them could think of a better place to have their wedding. “Vermont is such a beautiful, serene place to live, we wanted to share the splendor of fall with our friends and families from near and far,” says Tonra. They chose the Grand Isle Lake House for its beauty as well as its willingness to accommodate their dog Nalia’s involvement — they had her walk down the aisle during the ceremony and attend the reception. Inspired by their love for Vermont, the couple made welcome baskets for all of their out-of-town guests with items such as a Vermont magazine, Dan’s Chocolate Truffles, Cabot cheeses, Green Mountain Coffee, King Arthur’s pancake mix, and maple syrup made by Sean's brother-in-law in Newbury, Vermont.
Unwilling to pass on a chance to enjoy some seasonal, local foods, the bride and groom had casual, station-style dining that included lots of local organic produce. They also planned some late-night comfort foods — grilled cheese sandwiches and soft pretzels — for guests to munch on as the night was winding down. On each table, Tonra and Sean had laid custom-made linens that had rows of branches printed on silk with different colored ribbons to represent the region’s fall foliage. To keep things personal and family oriented, the bride and groom set out framed photos of their parents' and grandparents’ wedding days, and Tonra chose to walk down the aisle with both of her parents, hoping to begin a special tradition in their family.
Their wedding day was even better than they could have imagined. Originally, they had anticipated rain, and Sean’s sister had purchased white umbrellas for all the guests. However, instead of the pouring rain they expected, the couple was met with only a light drizzle, which stopped during their meal to reveal a breathtaking rainbow over Lake Champlain. “It was truly magical,” says Tonra. Later, their 9-year-old niece performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” one of their favorite memories from the celebration. Although their wedding has come and gone, when Tonra and Sean look back at their special day, they like to think that for a lucky few, finding treasure at the end of the rainbow is more than just a myth.
Tonra & Sean's Advice
#1 Make sure to prioritize your budget from the beginning. DIY projects are sometimes less expensive, but your time is worth so much more when you’re busy with planning.
#2 On the actual day, just relax and let any last-minute planning go. Smile and enjoy your guests - and allow the professionals to do their jobs!