Marissa Silva of Woonsocket and Derek Maroni of North Kingstown are set to wed on November 23, 2019 at the Dorrance. 

How We Met

Derek and I swiped right in April of 2015, and it has been a match made in heaven ever since. I had just moved to New York, but was back in Rhode Island to perform in 42nd Street at Ocean State Theatre Company. I swore I would not Tinder while back in RI, whoops! Our first meet up was at a local bar. I had just got out of a performance and had tons of stage makeup on! I had also sung at a funeral that morning so my attire for our meet up was a tad grim. Derek has always joked that I looked like a vampire on our first date, which must be why he proposed the day before Halloween. That first week we saw each other almost every day. Needless to say, I was back in RI two months later for good.

Our Proposal Story

I was at work when I got a text from Derek asking if I wanted to go to Jamestown to read a book — something we do occasionally over the summer. It was a beautiful fall day, so I was totally down for a trip by the water. What I didn’t know was that Derek was at my parents house soon after to ask for my hand in marriage.

When I got out of work, we hopped in the car and were on our way to Fort Wetherill, the same spot he told me he loved me the fall of 2014. He led me through a dirt path lined with trees to a clearing that overlooked the water. Previously setup by Derek was a table, chairs and flowers. My heart was racing! I kept telling myself, “Marissa don’t assume this is it! What if he is just doing something nice for you.” Derek took out the picnic we brought and started to set up. That five minute cheese and charcuterie board setup was the longest five minutes of my life! Finally, he cozies himself up next to me. For the first time in my whole life, I am speechless. He gets down on one knee and just like that… I am engaged to the man of my dreams!