UPDATE SEPTEMBER 11: Two weeks out folks and we finally have answers! The church ceremony will be restricted to extended family. Masks are required. If you're unsure if you're extended family, we have edited the RSVPs (if you see an RSVP for the ceremony, you're invited in person). We invite friends to watch the ceremony virtually via the zoom link on the "Schedule" tab and to join us for the cocktail hour at 4:30 at Shady Elms. UPDATE JULY 23: There may be a restriction in the number of guests allowed in the church. Depending on the number allowed, we will likely have extended family attend the ceremony in person. A Zoom link is provided in the "Schedule" section and our ceremony will be live-stream for guests to watch. The reception remains unchanged as of now. We will send notifications closer to the date as to the final restrictions. As of now, we are still planning the wedding as normal. If anything changes, we will update our website and contact each of you. Your comfort and health is our top priority, and we respect your decision to participate in whatever way you see fit. Shady Elms has indoor and outdoor areas, so there is space for guests to spread out. If you decide that you cannot attend, we understand and know you'll be celebrating from afar. You can still attend the ceremony virtually through our Zoom link, which is set up under the "Schedule" tab. If you can attend, get ready to party!

We met at a Christmas party at Westminster College. Being a small school, it's pretty easy to pick out people who don't go to WC. Gretchen happened to catch her eye on an attractive, bearded guy wearing flannel. Our mutual friend, Kassie, introduced us and we could not be more grateful for the introduction.

With Marc living in Erie and Gretchen being back home in Hudson for Christmas break, we decided to meet at Rachel's Roadhouse for our first date. When she got there, Marc gave her a single white rose. What we didn't know at the time was that a white rose symbolized "eternal love" (talk about pressure for a first date!). Gretchen's accelerated heart rate must have impacted her driving, because on the way home, she got her first speeding ticket.

We planned a spontaneous road trip to one of Gretchen's favorite places: the Smokey Mountains. We had a nice bottle of wine to save for a special occasion, and some long-overdue quality time together seemed like the perfect opportunity. Marc even offered to cook a surprise meal to pair! Our drive down felt like all the previous road trips to Gretchen, but for Marc, the 600+ miles ticked down slower than ever. Once we got to the cabin, Marc began to make the most delicious meal. After dinner, he asked for a hug “for his efforts,” and before she knew it, he was on one knee. He barely got the words “Will you…” before Gretchen started *heavily* crying. After probably about a full minute of Marc still kneeling while Gretchen bawled, she finally managed to get a verbal “YES!” out, and then promptly continued happy-crying for the next hour or so.