A New England Wedding Paints an Autumnal Masterpiece

Mr. and Mrs. Crowley

By Jordan Staggs | Photography by Emily Dyer

When KeYana Reid first spotted Bobby Crowley during their freshman year at Emmanuel College in Boston, she decided to “admire from afar,” unsure about pursuing a relationship during such a transitional time when focusing on their studies was paramount. However, by nature, attending a small school increases the chances of running into each other more frequently, and the two crossed paths repeatedly on campus. It wasn’t until two years later that their love story truly began.

“I discovered we had a mutual friend and decided to make a move to get to know him,” says KeYana. “What happened next was a flurry of hip-fired Facebook messages and awkward smiles as we passed each other in the halls.”

“And they worked!” Bobby says, smiling. “I was smitten.”

KeYana remembers, “Eventually, we agreed to meet up for a date, which Bobby almost didn’t show up for!”

Bobby admits, “Nerves almost got the best of me. She was beautiful, and I was very nervous.”But he did show up for that fateful first date. The pair strolled off campus to Basho Sushi restaurant.

“Once again, the nerves struck, both of us only ordering one roll each—that’s not enough sushi for anyone!” KeYana laughs. Nevertheless, the date went well, and the first kiss the couple shared back on campus was magical. “In that moment, I’m pretty sure we both felt we’d found love.”

After dating through college, Bobby and KeYana returned to their hometowns of Peterborough, New Hampshire, and York, Maine, which are two hours apart. However, in time, KeYana got a job in New York, and Bobby soon followed her. They lived in the Bronx before moving into a five-story walk-up apartment in Washington Heights. “We soaked up everything the city had to offer, attending Broadway shows, trying new foods, and immersing ourselves in the culture,”KeYana recalls. “Life was exciting and new until COVID forced us out of the city and back to our roots.” They ultimately settled together in Dover, New Hampshire, about half an hour from York.

Feeling grounded and happy in their new home, they knew they were ready to take the next step together.

The Engagement

We talked about getting married all the time—I knew she was the one, Bobby says.

“I had planned a themed picnic birthday party for KeYana and invited our closest friends. Honestly, I didn’t know if I would propose that day. But after an afternoon of laughter with the people we love, I didn’t want to wait any longer. In the solitude of our home, with only our cat, Roxanne, as a witness, KeYana said yes, and our little family was complete.”

KeYana reminisces, “It was perfect, just the two of us. It was sweet, heartfelt, and private.”

The Wedding Plans

With a vision of how their big day would look and feel, KeYana says, “Everything fell into place once we visited Josias River Farm in Cape Neddick, Maine. The weathered barn, landscaped lawns, and quintessential New England-style farmhouse sealed the deal. It was a DIY venue, allowing us to bring our vendors and decorations to make it feel like our own. From there, we shifted into planning mode.” Bobby adds, “When I say we did it on our own, it’s important to emphasize that KeYana was the majority of ‘we.’” The couple shares a love for a maximalist, cottagecore style, incorporating eclectic elements, botanical motifs, and plenty of greenery. They used thrifted glassware that doubled as souvenirs for their guests, along with pottery, pinecones, and pumpkins to reflect the natural beauty around them.

I wanted to bring in a variety of styles and avoid more traditional elements,” KeYana explains. “We envisioned a big party with great food, drinks, music, and, most importantly, good company.

“We didn’t hire a planner, but thankfully, some friends played a big role in helping us. We also hired a day-of coordinator and received support from the venue owners, Laura and Charlie, throughout the planning process.”

“As a seasoned procrastinator, I considered two years an eternity to plan,” Bobby admits. “Two years to buy decorations, food, and drinks? Easy. I’ve managed to write papers at 11:00 p.m. with a midnight deadline—this would be a piece of cake, right? Well, to any newly dubbed grooms-to-be out there—don’t wait! Book and pay for everything ASAP. In the end, though, we were getting married whether everything was planned perfectly or if a sinkhole swallowed all our vendors.”

On that note, KeYana concludes, “At the end of the day, not everything went according to plan, but honestly, it didn’t matter because we had fun and got to marry each other!”

The Wedding Day

On October 26, 2024—just a few days after their ninth anniversary as a couple—KeYana and Bobby gathered at Josias River Farm to say “I do” in front of a hundred of their closest friends and family. The crisp fall afternoon and evening were filled with love and laughter, creating many unforgettable memories shared by all.

“One special moment of the day happened early in the morning,” recalls Bobby. “KeYanahanded me a journal and said, ‘I started this journal the day we met, and I’ve added to it ever since.’ It contained memories and pictures from college, old birthday cards, notes from friends, and more. I sobbed. (This was great because I got all my crying out in the morning and didn’t cry during the ceremony!) Later, I went with my dad, my brother, and one of my groomsmen to swim in the ocean to kick off the celebration. As most New Englanders know, an October swim is not for the faint of heart.

KeYana arrived at the venue early with her bridesmaids to get dressed and made up while singing, dancing, and laughing. A “get ready” playlist set the soundtrack for the big day. “One of my favorite moments was going through a photo album my maid of honor made with pictures and letters from all my close friends and family,” says the bride. “While it’s hard to pinpoint an exact favorite moment from the day, our ceremony was particularly special because of how comfortable we felt. Many people told me they’ve never been to a wedding where they laughed so hard during the ceremony. We were fortunate to have a dear friend as our officiant, and friends serenade us down the aisle, playing the cello and mandolin. I realize now how our close friends and family made the day uniquely ours. The cherry on top was having my mom walk me down the aisle.”

She adds with a grin, “Oh, and the grilled cheese truck was also really good!” An evening of great camaraderie, heartfelt moments, and dancing commenced beneath a gorgeous tent and in the barn, which was transformed into a fairy-tale reception venue with twinkle lights and personal touches curated by the bride and groom.

The Honeymoon

The lovebirds chose to hibernate at home for a few days after their wedding, then traveled to Bar Harbor, Maine, to explore Acadia National Park. It was tranquil during the park’s off-season, ideal for leisurely bike rides along nearly empty trails and quiet moments spent together appreciating the beauty of nature. “The restaurants and pubs didn’t require reservations in the slower season, so we spent a lot of time chatting with locals and enjoying lobster!” KeYana says.

Cheers to the Crowleys and a beautiful start to life together as Mr. and Mrs.!

— V —

Special Thanks

Venue: Josias River Farm in Cape Neddick, Maine – JosiasRiverFarm.com

Photography: Emily Dyer – EmDyerPhoto.com

Wedding Cake: Sasha Brock, The Sandpiper Cake Shop in York, Maine – TheSandpiperCakeShop.com

Food: Cheese Louise Artisan Grilled Cheese – EatCheeseLouise.com

Bridal Gown: Madeleine’s Daughter in Portsmouth, New Hampshire – MadeleinesDaughter.com

Tent and Tables: Sperry Tent Rentals – SperryTents.com

Bartender Services: Sagamore Hill/Maine Events Co. – SagamoreHillMaine.com