Over a year after the engagement, and several months into the 2020 pandemic, the couple's plans for a wedding had been through dozens of iterations. Ultimately, they knew what mattered was an intimate exchange of vows, in a meaningful setting, with a handful of loved ones by their side. The event took place at the Samoset Resort on Katie's 30th birthday, September 28, 2020, and was officiated by Ben's Best Man, Nick Humphreys. They celebrated with an indulgent dinner, wine, and cake, courtesy of their favorite local vendors.

On their much-anticipated first trip to Europe together - a two-week stay in Paris - Ben had planned a romantic picnic in the Champs-Élysées Garden for Day 10. As with most best-laid plans, when the day came, a rainy forecast, closed subway stops, and sidewalk-closing construction all conspired to force the plan awry. Nevertheless, Ben persisted and eventually the couple would unpack their wine & cheese, appropriately, under the supervision of Cupid's Statue. Just a few minutes later, Ben kneeled and asked the question. And just as Katie said, "OF COURSE!" a voice from home cut through the air -- her younger sister, Emily, had been on a covert mission at Ben's side to fly across the ocean and capture the perfect moment on film. And it truly was perfect.

Katie and Ben met while living in Morgantown, WV, post-graduation from West Virginia University. Despite both attending the university, participating in Greek life, and having overlapping friend groups since 2008, the two had never truly met until a fun little app called "Tinder" hit campus in 2012. The match led to a summer full of happenstance meetings, rooftop drinks, movies, music swaps, and windows-down drives, then eventually - their first kiss.