Ms. Collura, who graduated from Quinnipiac University and received a master’s degree in accounting from Pace University, now works as an accountant in the New York office of RSM US LLP, a public accounting firm. Mr. Durkin, a graduate of Fordham, where he also earned a master’s degree in accounting, is now a vice president of finance at Churchill Asset Management, an investment firm, in New York.
He proposed on July 4, 2020, while the two were on a trip to Montauk, N.Y., with her family. Ms. Collura grew suspicious that morning when she noticed Mr. Durkin had dressed in khaki shorts, a departure from his usual athletic wear. But she assumed it was because they were going to meet a couple in Sag Harbor, N.Y., whose golden retriever they were considering adopting. (Mr. Durkin has had a lifelong love of golden retrievers.)
After meeting the couple and the dog, the two strolled down Long Wharf pier in Sag Harbor, at the end of which Mr. Durkin asked Ms. Collura to marry him. Standing nearby was her sister, disguised in what he described as “large overcoat,” who recorded the proposal as boats honked their horns and passers-by on the dock cheered.
While they left that trip an engaged couple, they did not return with a dog. But six months later, in January 2021, the two brought home a golden retriever, Rory. In February, they all moved into a new place in Atlantic Highlands, N.J., where they currently live.
On June 16, the couple were married at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church in Sag Harbor. The Rev. Peter Devaraj, the church’s pastor, officiated in front of 30 guests. The next day, Father Devaraj led the couple in a second ceremony at Gurney’s Montauk Resort & Seawater Spa before 250 guests.
Though the newlyweds continue to enjoy late dinners — often eating around 10 or 10:30 p.m. — they toned it down for their wedding, serving whole lobsters and hand-pulled mozzarella to guests at 5:30 p.m.
