We're Getting Married!

To keep all guests as safe as possible during our event, there are several recommendations and requirements for our party. Please read and follow to ensure the safety of our guests. Due to the massive space, we are only at 1/10 fire code capacity for this event, so we are FAR, FAR below the expectation for capacity and air flow will not be a problem. 1) REQUIRED: If, for any reason, you are feeling ill the morning of welcome drinks or the wedding celebration, PLEASE DO NOT COME! We would love to celebrate with you, but we cannot put our other guests at risk. 2) RECOMMENDED (HIGHLY): PLEASE consider getting a COVID test prior to the party. This will make 100% sure that we are protecting our guests are much as possible. They are free, and many places, like CVS and Hyvee, are currently offering clinics for tests several days a week. 3) REQUIRED: You are required to wear a mask into the building as well as while around food areas (appetizer and dessert tables, buffet, bar). We will have some masks available for you if you do not bring your own (PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN). Masks will also be required in the bathrooms since it is likely with more than 3-4 people in those rooms the 6' distancing will be impossible. 4) REQUIRED: You will have your temperature taken upon arrival. There will be a station to sanitize your hands as well. Please don't make a fuss. Everyone will do it. 5) REQUIRED: Everything used for food and drink will be disposable. Please only use items ONCE - no taking plates and cups back up to the bar/buffet, and please throw away your own items. 6) RECOMMENDED: We have more seating than is needed for this event so people can spread out and sit with who they wish. Please be respectful and give those who request it their distance. Since we are not doing a plated meal, please feel free to move chairs as you will to where you feel comfortable. 7) RECOMMENDED: Hand sanitizer will be available around the building. Please use it as often as possible.

Our story begins at a bar crawl in Columbia, MO called Santacon. Kari was dressed up as a very adorable snowman, and apparently Brad is into that kind of thing. After being introduced by a mutual friend (thanks, Jake), Brad and Kari realized they had many of the same friends in common and many of the same interests. Little did they know, they actually have almost nothing in common and their personalities could not be more different. I guess opposites attract, no? After being put on the spot as to whether he would ask Kari to their company Christmas party the next weekend (thanks, Michael), Brad officially asked Kari to their first date ~ and the rest is history.

Brad and Kari's first date was the 2015 EquipmentShare company Christmas party. After several instances of Brad trying to get Kari to back out of their date, Kari was meeting Brad at the Stoney Creek Hotel and Conference center that Saturday evening for the party. As she waited downstairs, Brad (though he didn't tell Kari until much later in their relationship) was up in the conference room realizing that in his hazy, drunken, memory he could not remember was Kari looked like. Luckily, she was the only person in the lobby when he came down to get her, and the date started without a hitch. The Christmas party was an extremely bizarre event. There was a brass band made up of the EquipmentShare crew. There were marshmallow tower building competitions and mouse trap games. After the party, most of the guests went off to karaoke. Much to Brad's surprise, Kari was on board to continue their evening, so the two of them joined the group and headed to the karaoke bar. A few drinks in, Brad started belting out "I Don't Want To Miss A Thing" by Aerosmith and finally kissed Kari after 5 hours of nervous glances. Brad's not very smooth, but he's cute :)

Brad and Kari headed to Sandals on Pink Gin Beach in Grenada for a post-holiday retreat. Being a big vacation, Kari was suspicious that Brad may pop the question, but she never could have guessed how wonderful the event would be! The first full day of the trip, Brad and Kari were scheduled for dinner at Le Jardinier, the fanciest of the restaurants at the resort, so it wasn't odd that both of them were dressed up for the evening. Brad and Kari left their room about half an hour before dinner to grab a cocktail and were stopped by a photographer taking pictures of couples as they walked by. After getting some photos, Brad and Kari popped into the resort shop to pick up a couple items. After coming back out, the same photographer had moved to right near the shop and stopped them again for some more pictures "in a new setting". After even MORE photos, Kari was getting a little annoyed and hangry, but just then the butler called and met the group. He said he was just about done with the table for dinner and to go get some more photos before he calls again. Brad and Kari followed the photographer out to the beach to get some twilight shots, and, once they got onto the sand, Kari noticed a private candlelit dinner not too far off. Thinking they were intruding on someone else's meal, Kari turned to Brad and saw his smile - and that's when she knew. The photographer asked Kari to go stand out looking at the water, and Brad kissed her and said "I love you". As she stood there, Kari started tearing up, and when asked to turn around, Brad was on one knee. It was the most perfect moment a girl could ask for.