Martha and Dave met in August of 2016 when they were set up by a mutual friend. Martha tells the adorable story, saying, “ I almost cancelled, but Dave somehow convinced me to at least stop by and meet him at Stamford’s Alive at 5 concert series, where Cee Lo Green was supposed to be performing. A horrific rainstorm, with trees down in the road and electricity going out, made driving to Stamford pretty dangerous, and then when we met there, the concert was cancelled. Apparently, Mother Nature didn’t get the memo that we were meeting the future love of our lives that night! Although the date seemed doomed, we found relief from the storm in a nearby bar and talked, drank and danced the night away. And we discovered our mutual interests in travel, summering on Fishers Island, sailing, and spending winters skiing at Stratton. And the rest, as they say, is history.”

Then Covid got in the way of the couple’s plan for their big June wedding party at the Hartford Golf Club. …And that’s when the about-to-be Burnhams came up with a novel solution…As Martha recalls, “Connecticut issued Covid restrictions that made it impossible to have more than 100 people in one place. We had about 250 guests who originally RSVPed ‘yes’, and although that was going to shrink a bit with some folks not being able to attend, we were still looking at over 150 people – and we wanted to celebrate with all of them! So…instead of just one party…we had two! We had two different seatings under a beautiful tent at The Club. I had memories of playing golf and tennis there with my Dad, and it’s just four doors away from the house I grew up in… so there were many wonderful memories for me there – and it was the perfect place to make some new ones. We had a memorable first-dance – and then a memorable second first-dance, two rounds of speeches – with tears both times, and two dinners and two parties – and what seemed like ten times the fun. Having two wedding parties made it possible for us to celebrate safely with everyone we love!”

Martha’s father, Bill, passed away in January 2019, so Marth’s brother, Wiggs (William), walked her down the aisle, and the couple had multiple elements to honor Bill throughout the event, including that two of Martha’s friends wore neckties from Bill’s collection, and that a layer of Bill’s favorite flavor of ice cream was added to both of the wedding cakes.

 

Martha and Bill are living in New Canaan and loving married life.