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Kate Reese

and

Chris Oates

Kate Reese

and

Chris Oates

October 18, 2025

Rockville, MD
70 days70 d16 hours16 h58 minutes58 min29 seconds29 s

How We Met

In the summer of 2022, Kate received an invitation to a friend’s housewarming party. She accepted, knowing she could always back out if she changed her mind. On the morning of the party, Kate was at the beach with her mom, debating whether to make the three-hour drive. Her mom encouraged her to stay for a girls' weekend, but Kate, feeling obligated, explained that she’d promised to attend—and this was the kind of friend who held people to their word. So, Kate packed up the car, threw on a pair of shorts and a white T-shirt, and hit the road. She arrived nearly two hours late, making a fashionably tardy entrance, and was quickly greeted by familiar faces—one of whom immediately caught her eye: Chris. Kate and Chris had met briefly once before, in 2018, during a quick exchange through mutual friends. Now, in July 2022, Chris walked up, gave her a big hug, and acknowledged their familiarity. As the evening progressed, the two found themselves deep in conversation. At one point, Kate stepped away for a few minutes and returned to find her seat beside Chris taken. Playfully, she announced, “I’m going to sit by the fire pit,” glancing at him in hopes he’d follow. He did. “Oh yeah, me too,” he said, getting up to join her. The next morning, Chris sends Kate a message that says "hey kate it's chris had an awesome time with you last night & i hate to break it to you but you have no choice but to hang out asap". The very next day they went on their first date, and never looked back!

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Schedule

Friday, October 17, 2025

Welcome Drinks

8:00 pm - 10:30 pm

Sports & Social Bethesda
11800 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852

Dressy Casual

Join us in this full circle moment as we gather the night before our wedding at the site of our first date! Drop in any time between 8pm - 10:30pm to grab a drink and mingle with the bride, groom and their families! Sports and Social is walkable from the hotel. Head across the street to Pike and Rose shopping center and it is the first restaurant on the left corner. We will have the outdoor patio reserved.

Saturday, October 18, 2025

Ceremony

3:30 pm - 4:15 pm

St. George Greek Orthodox Church
7701 Bradley Boulevard, Bethesda, MD 20817

Black Tie Optional

Join us for a traditional Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony.

Reception

5:15 pm - 10:15 pm

Black-Tie Optional

Cocktail hour to begin, with reception to follow. Transportation will be provided. Please reference the "Travel" Section for more details!

Travel

Hotel

Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

5701 Marinelli Rd, Rockville, MD 20852
 (301)-822-9200

A limited number of rooms have been reserved at a discounted group rate of $149/night + tax. Click "View" below to book directly through our event block.

Shuttle

Bus from the Hotel to the Ceremony

October 18, 2024 2:30 pm - 2:45 pm

Two buses will be available to take guests from the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel to St. George Greek Church. The buses will leave the hotel at 2:30pm, so please plan to load the bus ten minutes beforehand. The Buses will be located at the rear of the hotel. Guests may access the buses via the side entrance located near the lobby.

Shuttle

Bus from the Ceremony to the Reception

October 18, 2024 4:30 pm - 5:00 pm

Two buses will be available to take guests from St. George to Manor Country Club following the ceremony.

Shuttle

Bus from the Reception to the Hotel

October 18, 2025 10:15 pm - 10:30 pm

Two buses will be available to take guests from Manor Country Club, back to the Marriott Hotel. The buses will leave following the reception at 10:15pm.

Travel Note

Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)

45 Minutes from Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

Travel Note

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)

35 Minutes from Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

Travel Note

Dulles Airport (IAD)

40 minutes from Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center

Wedding Party

Jasmine Wright

Maid of Honor

Meg Reese

Maid of Honor

Annabelle Wesely

Bridesmaid

Vanessa Alessi

Bridesmaid

Jourdan Ziff

Bridesmaid

Elaina Faerber

Bridesmaid

Mia Sardella

Bridesmaid

Lily Andres

Bridesmaid

Sarah Ensor

Bridesmaid

Evan Wisner

Best Man

Evan Oates

Groomsman

Kyle Detling

Groomsman

Patrick Kane

Groomsman

Riley Korrell

Groomsman

Austin Marrone

Groomsman

Grant Brown

Groomsman

Cody Hess

Groomsman

Jack Reese

Groomsman

Things To Do

We're excited to share a few of our favorite spots while you're in town!

Pike & Rose

11580 Old Georgetown Road, North Bethesda, MD 20852

In the mood to shop? Pike and Rose has: UNIQLO L.L.Bean west elm SEPHORA

Call Your Mother Deli – Pike & Rose

11807 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852

Great Bagel Shop in Pike and Rose!

Java Nation

11120 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD 20852

The best coffee! Less than a mile from the hotel.

Melina

905 Rose Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852

Great for brunch, lunch or dinner. Serving up fantastic greek food!

Sunday Morning Bakehouse

11869 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852

The BEST morning pastries!

Gallery Café

6120 Executive Boulevard, Rockville, MD 20852

Great for breakfast or lunch. Known for their sandwiches & wraps.

Sports & Social Bethesda

11800 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852

We went here on our first date! Great food, great drinks, and a sportsbook bar.

Billy Goat Trail Section A

Billy Goat Trail Section A, Potomac, MD 20854

Awesome place to hike along the Potomac!

Pike Central Farm Market

935 Prose Street, North Bethesda, MD 20852

Local Farm Market Open 9-1 on Saturday

The Baked Bear

929 Rose Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852

All things sweet treats!

South Block

11803 Grand Park Avenue, North Bethesda, MD 20852

Great Açaí bowls!

Black Lion Coffee & Café

9705 Traville Gateway Drive, Rockville, MD 20850

Ethiopian-owned roastery known for bold Harrar beans and made-on-site pastries.

Registry

RSVP

Please enter the first and last name of one member of your party below.
If you're responding for you and a guest (or your family), you'll be able to RSVP for your entire group on the next page.

Ex. Sarah Fortune (not The Fortune Family or Dr. & Mr. Fortune)

FAQs

Question

When is the RSVP Deadline?

Answer

Please RSVP by September 26, 2025 so we can finalize the headcount and details.

Question

Can I bring a plus one?

Answer

We’d love to celebrate with all of you, but due to space limitations, we are only able to accommodate guests listed on your invitation.

Question

Are kids invited?

Answer

While we love your little ones, our wedding will be an adults-only celebration. Thank you for understanding!

Question

Will transportation be provided?

Answer

Yes! Buses will pick up guests from the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center at 2:30pm on October 18th. The bus will bring guests to the ceremony, reception, and back to the hotel.

Question

Where should I park?

Answer

If you decide not to take the bus, St. George Greek Church and Manor Country Club have plenty of parking in their main lots.

Question

What is the dress code?

Answer

Black-Tie Optional

Question

Will the ceremony or reception be outdoors?

Answer

The Ceremony and Reception will both be indoors

Question

What time should I arrive?

Answer

If you are not riding the bus, please plan to arrive 15–20 minutes early. The ceremony will start promptly at 3:30pm.

Question

What should I do between the ceremony and reception?

Answer

Cocktail hour begins at Manor Country Club at 5:15pm to allow ample time to transport guests.

Question

What type of ceremony are you having?

Answer

We’re having a traditional Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony. It will take place in St. George Greek Orthodox Church and include rich, symbolic rituals that have been part of the faith for centuries.

Question

How long is the ceremony

Answer

Greek Orthodox ceremonies typically last about 45 minutes to an hour.

Question

Can we take pictures during the ceremony?

Answer

We kindly ask guests to refrain from taking photos during the service — we’ll have a professional photographer capturing everything!

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