The Couple

Born and bred in Dallas, Elissa East and Sean Kincade are the Sixteen Candles couple we’ve been waiting for since 1984. “We met when we were in eighth grade, and I spent the next two years trying to convince him he actually liked me,” Elissa reminisces. The two finally had their first date at 15, when their moms drop them off at Cindi’s NY Deli. After high school, the couple followed each other to the University of Arkansas where Elissa received a degree in hospitality management and Sean received a degree in geology. In 2018, Sean went on to receive his masters in geology.

The couple has lived in Preston Hollow, Dallas, for the past year. Elissa, 26, is a sales manager at The Statler Hotel and Sean, 26, is a geotechnician at Hunt Oil. They love attending concerts in Deep Ellum, birding around downtown, absorbing vitamin D by any body of water, and are always game for a Mambo Taxi.

The Proposal

After almost a decade of dating, Sean made the decision to take their relationship to the next level. The couple headed to Austin to see one of their favorite bands in concert. In addition to the show, they were invited by Sean’s cousin to a private party at Laguna Gloria—a villa home at The Contemporary Austin. Elissa had seen an online flyer for the party, which led her to believe the evening would consist only of some simple sips and bites. However, upon their arrival Sean grabbed her hand and informed her they were the only ones there. “It was a dream,” Elissa says. Sean surprised her not only with the beautiful—and empty—museum grounds, but with a stunning ring and the question she had waited 10 years to say “yes” to.

The Wedding

Elissa and Sean will wed at The Room on Main on November 7, 2020. Elissa has had her eye on a few vendors and ideas from her past experience in the event industry and is confident the night will be one she, Sean, and many others will not easily forget.