With love, they say when you know you know, but sometimes, the heart and mind need a little more convincing. Allison (Alli) and Sean Sobolewski are proof that despite all odds, true love and perseverance prevail. Brought together by a dating app while Alli vacationed in the Georgia low country where Sean was living and working, mis-steps and missed opportunities continued to keep the pair apart. Fate, however, had a plan all along, even though it just took the two a bit longer to connect than one would hope. Sean explains, “We quickly matched on Bumble and her main photo was of her and 2 friends that I have known for many years. She struck up a conversation, and much to our surprise, we had a ton of mutual friends and somehow had never crossed paths before, even though I grew up only 12.4 miles away from her! I was coming in town for a wedding in Versailles shortly after she would arrive back home in Kentucky and we decided we should meet in person” He continues, laughing,“ Then we both blew it.”
When the wedding weekend for Sean’s friends arrived, the pair knew they only had two days to connect to see if any sparks would fly before Sean would return to Savannah. And yet…they just could not make it work. The night before the wedding, Alli and Sean were set to meet up but as Sean describes, “When I finally made it to the drinking hole she located, she didn’t recognize me. Worst part, she didn’t even remember my number the next day! Alli and I decided to give it another shot after the wedding reception I walked over to meet her in a downtown Lexington restaurant and immediately walked out after I got inside. And she saw me do it, which was the worst part!”
Remarkably, the two agreed to continue talking and countless phone calls on the way home from work set the framework for a beautiful friendship. Cupid intervened in late August with Sean’s return to Kentucky for another wedding “After just one day, we were attached at the hip immediately and decided we needed to see each other as much as possible,” says Sean. Over the course of the next couple months, the lovebirds began dating long-distance, traveling back and forth visiting each other, and various cities, as much as possible before meeting one another’s families over Thanksgiving. This is when, as the two remember fondly, “the whole thing became serious.”
Shortly thereafter, Sean began saving for a ring and planning the perfect way to pop the question involving a favorite Bluegrass tradition: Derby Day. Those close to Alli can attest to her dislike of surprises, but somehow, Sean managed to pull off the proposal at the Arboretum followed by a surprise engagement party with family and close friends on Derby Day without her knowing. “The whole day she was beyond shocked and didn’t know how to act but I was the one to shed a few tears when she was all smiles,” shares Sean. The Monday after the Derby, planning commenced for a December 29th of 2018 wedding at the Saint Peter Catholic Church followed by their reception at the HilaryJ Boone Center, which they selected for the convenient location and all inclusive, incredibly accommodating offerings.
While the couple cherished the entire day, excited and delighted to share in the celebration with their friends and family, memorable moments from their ceremony included being romanced by the stunning Christmas décor at the church as the bride floated down the aisle wearing an ethereal, Famosa by Pronovias gown from the Lace Bridal Couture in Cincinnati, OH and her grandmother’s engagement ring, invoking sweet and understandable tears from the groom. Favorite memories from the beautiful reception adorned by navy, blush and gold accents, votive candles, Christmas trees and splendid hydrangeas, brunia balls, dusty miller, roses, ranunculus and eucalyptus orals from DC Blooms included sentimental photographs with Alli and Sean’s grandparents, the incredibly touching speeches in which the father of the bride choked up during his and the audience lightening up the mood by busting out the “CATS” chant and “Hail Woodford” cheer in between each. When glow sticks and glow wands made a surprise entrance, they added a certain sparkle to the room and illuminated the dance floor as the Top Tier Band serenaded the crowd, firing up the groom so much that he ripped his pants while grooving on the dance floor.
They do admit, however, that if they could do things differently, they would have liked to not have been so rushed fastening the boutonnieres on the junior groomsmen and ring bearers and hurrying to get everyone down the aisle for the ceremony without having time to straighten out the bride’s dress for the processional. What’s one other thing they would recommend to others planning their own wedding? “Definitely get a bubble machine for pictures. And have fun with the one you love and it will all work out in the end.”
Behind the Scenes
Photographer: The Malicotes
Videographer: DMZ Productions
Ceremony Venue: St. Peter Catholic Church
Reception Venue: The Hillary J Boone Center
Catering: The Hillary J Boone Center
Sweets: Pam Caudill
Flowers: DC Blooms
Bridal Gown Designer: Pronovias
Bridal Gown: Lace Bridal Couture
Bridal Party: BHLDN, Jenny Yoo
Groom/Groomsmen: The Black Tux
Hair: Rejuvenation Station
Makeup: Sarah Gottlob
Stationery: Minted
Band: Top Tier Band
