WEDDINGS
Love Travels from
Connecticut to Vermont
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any, if not most, weddings can be described as ‘family affairs.’ But the wedding of West Hartford natives Caitlin McNally Kearns Scully to Daniel Fitzgerald Scully brought the meaning of ‘family affair’ to a whole new level. One might say that it all started with Caitlin’s parents, Drew and Maura Kearns, who met while students at Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford. The bride’s grandfather, Jim McNally, resides at the McAuley in West Hartford. He celebrated his 89th birthday in Vermont with his family two days before the wedding. The groom’s parents, Jack and Carol Scully, who live in Amston, and his grandfather, Willard Skehan, who lives in Hebron — aren’t without West Hartford ties of their own. Like Kaitlin’s parents, Jack Scully grew up in West Hartford, where he attended Northwest Catholic High School. Dan’s mother, Carol, grew up in East Hartford, and attended East Catholic High School. And that isn’t where the ties end. Indeed, Dan and Caitlin have lived parallel lives. Dan’s grandparents lived on one side of Rockledge Golf Course — and Caitlin’s grandparents lived on the other side. The families were great friends — with all of their children classmates at St. Brigid School and Northwest Catholic High School. What’s more, the Kearns and the Scullys 16
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Vol. 11, No. 4, 2021 west hartford magazine
took part in a timeshare in Ludlow, Vermont — and Caitlin and Dan grew up vacationing at that very same house…at different times. Although their families remained connected over the years, it wasn’t until Caitlin and Dan spent time at the Vermont timeshare in late 2016 and over New Year’s Eve 2017, that they officially became a couple. Dan proposed to Caitlin on August 7, 2020, the first day of what would have been her annual family reunion in Vermont. Unfortunately, the trip was postponed due to the pandemic, but Dan would not — could not — wait. And so, the couple drove down to Groton Long Point for a run on the beach, where Dan popped the all-important question. The couple were married on October 16, 2021, at Church of the Annunciation, Roman Catholic parish in Ludlow, Vermont, with Fr. Joseph Crowley officiating. It was followed by a joyful evening of dinner and dancing, with a stunning view of the New England fall foliage as a backdrop, at The Castle Resort & Spa in Ludlow. “It was only fitting that [we] went back to where it all began with [our] family and friends to tie the knot,” says Caitlin. “It was so special having all of our guests stay together right in the hotel or condos on the property of our reception. The Castle staff was also just amazing, helping us every step of the way to ensure our dream day,” says Caitlin, noting that her maternal grandparents traditionally celebrated their anniversary at The Castle each year.
Cailin and Dan Scully
