As her first “real” boyfriend in middle school and despite losing touch over the years, it was fate when a childhood friend reconnected DeAnna Rega and Michael Kopchik during college. The two stayed close friends despite the long distance between Arizona, where DeAnna attended school, and Connecticut, where Michael resided.
Following college, DeAnna moved back to Pennsylvania and the two began a long-distance relationship. It wasn’t long before she moved to Connecticut to join Michael and the rest is history. A trip to DeAnna’s parents’s summer house in Holiday, Florida, was when Michael popped the question on the beach after dinner one night.
The couple was married at The Candlewood Inn in Brookfield by the Justice of the Peace Donna King. Following the ceremony, friends and family looked on as the couple took to the floor for the first dance at The Candlewood Inn.
The bride is the daughter of Christine Bylone and Paul Rega of Holiday, Florida. She attended Council Rock High in Newtown, Pennsylvania, before attending Arizona State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood education. DeAnna later received her master’s in elementary education from Arizona State as well. She currently works as a first-grade teacher in Fairfield.
Michael is the son of Carol Teixeira and Michael Kopchik of Stratford, where he attended Bunnell High School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in justice and law administration at Western Connecticut State University. He is now managing safety and security for Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk.
The couple will return to their Bridgeport home after a cruise around Europe.
The bridge and groom and their bridal party
Natalie Komoroski, Frank Maco, sister of the groom Susan Kopchik and groomsman Dan Walker
The bride and groom on the pier at Candlewood Inn after the ceremony