Jamie & Conor

Jamie Hodnett & Conor Kelly

April 4 & October 18, 2020 at Rosecliff

Jamie Hodnett and Conor Kelly had known each other in high school but things didn’t heat up until the summer before their senior year at Fairfield University. For months, they carried on a playful flirtation over Snapchat, until one night Jamie mentioned she was hungry and Conor quickly proposed dinner. Five years later, now firmly a couple and the parents of a Bernese mountain dog named Jennings, Conor cajoled Jamie into a trip to their favorite Gloucester, Massachusetts, beach, where Conor and Jennings frolicked along the shoreline. Returning to Jamie, Conor got down on one knee alongside Jennings, whose collar now bore the inscription WILL YOU MARRY ME? // By Fred Albert, Published in Newport Life magazine, May 2021

COVID Crackdown

Jamie and Conor were two weeks away from their April 2020 nuptials in Newport when the country went into lockdown and the heartbroken couple was forced to cancel their plans. On the appointed day, they tied the knot in a private ceremony instead, with just their parents in attendance.

Delayed Gratification

Still, the couple couldn’t shake their dream of a glamorous Newport wedding. Six months later, with safety protocols in place, they were wed in a formal Catholic ceremony at St. Mary’s Church, with Jamie wearing a sleeveless ball gown flanked by bridesmaids in navy chiffon. Afterward, everyone headed to Rosecliff for the reception. Jamie and Conor had dressed as Daisy Buchanan and Jay Gatsby on their first Halloween together, so getting married in the mansion where The Great Gatsby was filmed was too perfect to pass up. (As was the chance to park a 1929 Rolls Royce from the movie in front.)

Sweet Touches

Upon entering, guests were offered cookies decorated in the likeness of a Bernese mountain dog, and ushered into the ballroom, which was decorated in shades of gold and navy. The cake was topped with a silhouette of the bride and groom kissing as Jennings looks on. Since Jamie works for Dunkin’, there were also racks of donuts — including some sporting edible photos of Rosecliff and the happy couple.

Where Are They Now?

The couple had to postpone their honeymoon due to the pandemic and now live in Reading, Massachusetts, where Jamie has a job in marketing and Conor works in finance.

Featured Vendors
Photographer: Susan Sancomb Photography
Ceremony Venue: St. Mary’s Church
Reception Venue: Rosecliff
Bridal Gown: Wtoo by Watters, VOWS Bridal
Bridesmaid Dresses: Gianna’s Bridal & Boutique
Tuxedos: The Black Tux
Hair: Shauna Dellaia
Makeup: BellaBeauty Bridal
Flowers: Flowerthyme
Caterer: Blackstone Caterers
Cake: Fatulli’s