We first met while working in Sylva, NC, as we were both finishing up school at Western Carolina University. Alex was on the pasta station as a line cook at the town’s brand-new Italian restaurant, Ilda, while Carli worked just next door at Santé - The Wine Bar. Both restaurants are owned by our dear friends Santiago Guzzetti (one of Alex’s groomsmen) and his wife, Crystal Pace. Carli only served for a few short months while saving up before moving to Charlotte in July 2021. Just a week after her move, Alex visited, and on August 2, 2021, we made things official. Alex finished his last semester of school and joined Carli in Charlotte that December. By April 2022, an amazing opportunity brought us back to Western North Carolina when Santiago offered Alex the role of Sous Chef at Bear Lake Reserve. This move also opened the door for Carli to begin her marketing career, which now includes representing Castle Ladyhawke, where Alex had also catered many weddings. Over the next two and a half years, the mountains truly became our home. Along the way, we built friendships, careers, and a life together that led us right here to our wedding day. Saying “I do” at Castle Ladyhawke is especially meaningful, as it reflects so many moments and memories from our story. To bring it all full circle, dinner will be prepared by Ilda, the very restaurant where our story first began, and we are so grateful to Tembo Hospitality Group for connecting so many pieces of our journey, including Ilda, Santé - The Wine Bar, Bear Lake Reserve, and Castle Ladyhawke.