Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Madigan gave a garden party for their son, Sean Madigan, and his fiancée, Sara Brenner in August.
The couple met while attending Miami Ohio University. Both were scholarship swimmers at the school before graduating.
The bride-to-be is also a graduate of the University of Michigan. She is director of education at the Sylvan Learning Center in Utica, Mich. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Brenner of Grand Rapids, formerly of Bloomfield Hills.
Sean Madigan is the Ford account manager at AK Steel Corp. in Troy, Mich.
A September wedding is planned at St. Hugo of the Hills, in Michigan.
THE TENTED GARDEN party was held at the home of the Madigans in Potomac.
The 35-year-old house was once on the Potomac House Tour. It is known for its spectacular boxwood and azalea gardens, where over 500 of each are planted.
The entire garden was planted in the blue-and-white theme to represent the color of the bridesmaids dresses. The flower garden is called “Blossom Hill.”
The paths through the woods still lead to where Sean and his friends used to play in his fort and Williamsburg well.
THE MADIGAN FAMILY was known in the Montgomery County Swim League, and many guests were former swimmers, including Sean’s sisters, Kelly and Shannon, who will be bridesmaids.
Also attending the party were old swim buddies Olympic gold medalist Tom Dolan; Mrs. Grace Gottlieb and son, Goeff Gottlieb; Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee; Mr. and Mrs. Jack Mann and son Kevin, who will be Sean’s best man; and Mrs. and Mrs. Harvey Lewis. Coaches Rick Curl, Bill Schechtman and Pam Ambrose attended and represented Sean’s past swimming days.
Patrick Herson Thomas, son of Kelly and Peter Thomas, will be the ring bearer, and Megan Ann Thomas will be the flower girl.
Sean’s grandmother, Bert Carragher, 93 — affectionately known as “Nanny” — will also be attending the wedding in September.
The party was planned by Parties and Papers by Jan Siegel, the music was performed by a guitarist and violinist, and Frances Hrastar was the pianist playing lighthearted melodies.
Flower arrangements were by Angelo Bonita of the Comus Valley Farm Inc., and Design Cuisine catered the party.
The married couple will spend their two-week honeymoon in Hawaii.