Weather Update: Looking like mid-60s to low-70s. The coast always has a slight breeze. Layers for flexibility is always recommended.
Maina Gachugu
Karissa Feldpausch
Maina Gachugu
Karissa Feldpausch
July 13, 2024
How we met!
In the fluorescent halls of community college, amidst textbooks and blurry-eyed nights, our love story unfurled like a slow bloom. We were classmates, entangled in the messy world of science methods and Education 101, sharing smiles and jokes over quizzes and late-night classes. Friendship, comfortable and easy, was what we knew. But fate, it seems, had other plans. We crossed paths again, drawn by the shared dream of shaping young minds. The Central Michigan University Satellite campus became our new home, a crucible where laughter echoed, and passion generated for a future in the classroom. 6 of us, bound by caffeine and camaraderie, vowed to escape the frozen grip of Michigan winters. Jobs in Washington, a land of emerald forests and snow-capped mountains, beckoned. So we piled into a minivan, with just enough money for gas and food, as we hurtled west. Days were a blur of roadside rest stops and singalongs to questionable 90s music. Nights, illuminated by a million stars, Karissa and Maina took the night shift of driving, the highway ribboning towards something new. It was in the quiet hum of the engine, under the velvet tapestry of the midnight sky, that something shifted. A touch lingered a beat too long, a gaze held a moment too intense. In the shared rhythm of the road, friendship ignited into something brighter, something warmer. Washington embraced us with open arms, the salt-laced air tingling on our skin as we carved our new paths. But it was on that minivan odyssey, bathed in the moonlight and fueled by shared dreams, that the seeds of forever were sown. And tonight, under the same glittering sky, we celebrate the harvest of that love, a love born in the heart of a cramped minivan, nurtured by the promise of new beginnings, and blooming into a promise that whispers of forever. This is our story, woven from textbooks and late nights, miles and moonlight, dreams and destiny. This is us, standing on the precipice of forever, hand in hand, hearts bursting with a love that began where roads met, and friendship danced with something more. This is our wedding day, a testament to the magic that unfolds when you least expect it, in the unlikeliest of places, and in the company of those who become family along the way. Welcome to our journey. Welcome to our love. Welcome to the start of our forever.
Schedule
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Karissa & Maina's are Getting Married!
4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
1757 WA-105, grayland, WA 98547
Karissa says: "Dress to impress yourself, be bold and beach ready." Maina says: "Be comfortable and be thinking about that heat."
Check back here semi-infrequently as we get closer for more updates as we nail down some remaining items in the planning. Considering some of our guest's travel requirements, we wanted to get the information out as early as we could even if we are still building the plane. #Boeing
Travel
Hotel
Breakwater Inn and Cottages of Grayland
House Or Rental
Breakwater Inn - Kendrick Condo
Hotel
Ocean Avenue Inn
Hotel
Silver Sands Motel
Hotel
Breakers Boutique Inn
Hotel
The Westport Inn
Hotel
Chateau Westport Resort
Hotel
Mariners Cove Inn
Hotel
Travelodge by Wyndham Aberdeen
Hotel
Olympic Inn & Suites
Registry
Things To Do
Twin Harbors State Park
Fort George Brewery
This is one of our favorite spots in Astoria!
Lake Quinault Lodge
Hoh Rain Forest Visitor Center
Kalaloch Beach 4
Seattle
There are endless things to do in Seattle! We live in West Seattle, the city is a great launch pad to nature or the heart of Washington culture. Feel free to ask us any questions! Note that the venue is not close to the city, so think about this for before or after.
Buoy Beer Company
Cannon Beach
Astoria
Gallery
FAQs
Question
Is the venue close to where you both live?
Answer
Not really, it's in a small coastal town on the Washington Pacific Coast called Grayland. We live in Seattle, about 2 hours and some change away. Karissa and I had to get a bit unconventional, and our little family loves the coast. So that is why we landed on this spot.
Question
Can we bring any additional guests?
Answer
Unfortunately, we were not able to invite all the people we would have hoped. Because our venue is a bit unconventional, we have to keep the guest list pretty small and tight. So please understand that we cannot be flexible with guests.
Question
What is the weather like?
Answer
Well, that is a great question. Washington is pretty apt to change from year to year but expect mid to upper 70s. The Pacific is a living breathing force and does what it wants, we cannot promise the beach will not be super windy. That goes day by day. But I can promise it will be beautiful. Also, Wildfires do happen in Washington, usually in late summer (end of July through September, so fingers crossed there isn't smoke.)
Question
Will it rain while we are there?
Answer
If you have ever heard of the Pacific Northwest, you probably know about the rain. But, during the summer, we grapple with wildfires and extremely dry heat. So, please know you probably won't get much rain if at all. That is more of a winter thing. But in the 8 years we've been here, each year is different.
Question
Will you be available before or after the wedding?
Answer
We are not sure! We are juggling a lot of family on this special wedding and have not made firm plans as of yet, but please bear with us as we are going to be pretty busy before and maybe even after! We would love to spend as much time with you as possible.
Question
Parking
Answer
The parking will be tight. We will have more guests than the property has available parking, we will be working with neighboring properties to ensure we have enough parking for us. But stay tuned for more!
Question
Where is Grayland?
Answer
Well, we have traveled up and down the Washington coast, and we love the coast. An hour north you will see some of the best breathtaking coastline, and 90 minutes south gets you to Astoria, OR. Think the Goonies! But Grayland is about 2 hours from the Seattle/Tacoma Airport.
Question
Renting a car?
Answer
Consider getting 4-wheel drive! You can drive out on the beach 🚗💨
RSVP
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