We got married, let's celebrate!

We eloped with a private ceremony at the Burlington County Courthouse on December 27th. Nothing fancy, just love!

Our wedding story began with us picking out an engagement ring together. While it was being made Matt decided to surprise me with an official proposal! He chose the site of the cherry blossom grove in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia. Our first visit there together was in April 2013 for the annual Sakura Festival and we had returned again in April 2017. The festival draws a huge crowd because the trees flower for just a short period before the petals are all blown away. So we made plans to return a few days later, on a weekday, to avoid the crowds that we experienced the weekend prior. We lucked out with a beautiful spring day, the trees were still full of pink and white petals and we almost had the park to ourselves. We set up a picnic and afterwards went for a walk around the park. He didn't have a ring to use just yet, so he bought a Brunton compass (a geologic tool of the trade I've long wanted to get) and used this to pop the question! If you're unfamiliar, it opens on a hinge much like a jewelry box so it worked well as a fun substitute. And somehow I was still surprised enough to cry... even though we were already picking out a ring.

We first met at a Halloween party at our mutual friend's house. It was just a brief introduction but I remembered meeting Matt dressed as a pirate. We crossed paths again in March 2012 with our mutual group of friends from Rowan University at the Atlantic City Beer Fest. Yet somehow we never met at Rowan. At our friend's housewarming party in summer 2012 we met again and only spoke briefly... It wasn't until Applefest (yes, we go to many random festivals!) in October 2012 that we had the chance to spend the full day together and finally get to know each other. October 2012 brought us together yet again at that same friend's Halloween party. Finally...!! We had our first date in November 2012 and we've been inseparable ever since.