Dear Friends and Family, We wanted to take a moment to share something close to our hearts. When we first talked about getting married, we imagined something simple—just the two of us at the courthouse, or maybe even running off to the Little White Chapel in Vegas (something John joked about on our very first date). From the start, it was never about the event itself—it was always about celebrating the love we’ve found in each other. After getting engaged, we knew we wanted to be married right away, but we also realized we couldn’t imagine doing it without our immediate families by our side. What began as an elopement naturally evolved into a very small backyard wedding with 40 of our closest people. Please know that this decision was not made lightly, and it certainly wasn’t a reflection of how much we love or value the rest of our friends and extended family. We missed you deeply and felt your presence with us in spirit on that day. Our wedding wasn’t meant to be a grand affair—it was a quiet celebration of love, intention, and the beginning of our life together. We are so grateful for the role each of you has played in our journey, and we hope to celebrate with you in the future, in ways big and small. With all our love and gratitude, John & Emma

The week after the wedding, we're kicking off married life with some family traditions we love. First up: the annual Riha family trip in Alys Beach. Then, we’ll head over to Miramar Beach to celebrate the Fourth of July with the Sanders family. But the celebration doesn’t stop there! Mini-Moon The second weekend of July, we’re flying to Orlando, Florida for a weekend at Epcot and Universal Studios! We’ve always wanted to "drink around the world," and we figured there’s no better time than as newlyweds. Margaritas in Mexico, beer in Germany, champagne in France — we’re coming for it all. Our Official Honeymoon – January 2026 After countless YouTube videos (and more than a few snacks) on a rainy Saturday afternoon, we finally landed on our dream destination: Curaçao! We’ll be trading winter coats for swimsuits and heading off on a tropical escape. For seven sun-soaked days, we’ll explore colorful streets, relax on beautiful beaches, and dive into the island’s vibrant culture — and hopefully into some crystal-clear waters too.