WE ARE GETTING MARRIED!!! We are thrilled to invite you to celebrate one of the most important days of our lives in beautiful Sea Ranch, California! Our hearts are full and we can’t wait to exchange vows surrounded by the people we love most.
It all began with a Christmas party, a missed chance encounter, and a well-timed grocery run. Karlie was hosting a Christmas party, ready to celebrate the season with her closest friends at her apartment. Little did she know, her future was waiting just a few floors up. Jon, her soon-to-be other half, lived in the same building, and their paths had yet to cross—until that night. Christina, Karlie’s friend and matchmaker-in-the-making, arrived first. As she walked in the building, she crossed paths with a guy who politely held the door for her. With a quick smile and a spark of recognition, she thought, “He’s cute; I should get his number for Karlie!” But, in a moment of hesitation, she let the opportunity pass. Entering Karlie’s apartment, Christina immediately shared her regret, saying, “I saw this cute guy in the stairwell! Do you know him? I should’ve gotten his number!” Just then, Ashlyn arrived, only to realize she’d forgotten a few party essentials. She enlisted Christina to go with her to make a quick run to Publix down the street, giving her friend a second chance she hadn’t expected. And as fate would have it, there he was—the cute guy from the building, standing in the same aisle. This time, Christina didn’t hesitate. “Hey!” she said, catching Jon’s attention. “I think I just saw you in the apartment building down the street. Are you single?” Jon, a little confused but amused, responded, “Yes…?” Christina smiled, replying, “Perfect! I have a girl for you. Can I get your number?” Jon agreed, not knowing that this was the beginning of his love story with Karlie. That night, they agreed to the exchange of numbers, leading to a blind date a few days later, and a formal first date exactly one week from the party that started it all. There's no denying the instant connection when they first met. What started as a chance encounter in a stairwell turned into a never-ending love story, leading us here, ready to celebrate our happily-ever-after with you.
Six months before the adventure even began, Jon already knew he wanted Karlie by his side for a wedding across the country in June. They were only a month into dating when he asked her to be his plus-one, Karlie was skeptical initially, but there was an unspoken excitement between them about what this weekend could reveal. As they joked in the lead-up, this wasn’t just any wedding trip—it was an adventure, the perfect way to find out if they were truly “in it 'til the end.” The trip kicked off with a 30-hour non-stop drive to Arizona, fueled by coffee, road-trip playlists, and endless laughter. They made it to the wedding, enjoyed a weekend of fun and celebration, and then took off for the Grand Canyon and Zion for the rest of the week. But the adventure really began at the Grand Canyon, when they realized they’d packed a one-person backpacking tent—a tent as narrow as a shoebox, about to somehow fit two! After one cramped night, they improvised by purchasing a hammock, only to try bargaining with a nearby store to exchange it for a cheaper one. They finally set up camp under the stars, only to be met by a park ranger at 10:30 pm letting them know hammock camping wasn’t allowed. The next day, they took on “one of the world’s most dangerous hikes”—Angel’s Landing. Despite being a good sport, Karlie shed a single tear when the steep drop-offs and exposure pushed her limits. But determined not to quit, they made it to the end, rewarded with stunning views—and a real sense of partnership. They ate dried food from a bag, took turns begging hotels for a cot in a conference room on their way back, and embraced every twist and turn with joy and zero complaints. After an incredible, sometimes adversarial trip, they realized that every mishap and moment had only made their connection stronger. Every challenge was too good, too fun, and too right not to face together forever.
New York City—a trip they had planned for months—ended up becoming much more special than they ever imagined. It was Karlie and Jon’s second night in the city, and they were excited for an evening filled with dinner and a Broadway show. But Jon had one surprise he was determined to keep until the perfect moment. After the show, the two strolled through Washington Square Park on their way to Carbone—a restaurant that had brought their paths together exactly one year before. Little did Karlie know, Jon had been carrying the ring in the most unconventional spot: his sock! The ring box was too big to fit in his pockets, so he spent hours walking through the city and riding the subway with the ring safely hidden away. As they reached the Washington Square Arch, Jon turned to Karlie and asked, “You know I want to marry you, right?” Without hesitation, Karlie replied confidently, “Of course, we talk about it all the time.” That’s when Jon stopped, got down on one knee, and asked her, “Will you marry me?” To Karlie’s complete shock and delight, a surprise photographer appeared to capture the magical moment. Overwhelmed with joy, and with the same confidence as before, Karlie said “Yes!”—and the rest is history. It was the perfect mix of romance, humor, and pure happiness—just like them.