Wedding Eve Festivities

Ceremony Run-Through @ Doran Arboretum

Rehearsal Dinner @ The Big Apple

Reception Decorating Party!

Wedding Day

Doran Arboretum

Ceremony

The Quad at MSU

Shoe Hanging

Reception

Our Wedding

Once Upon a Time...

Two incoming college freshmen broke the #1 rule of building your university schedule: never, ever take the three-hour class. And so, every Tuesday from August until Christmas, they spent the precious, dwindling daylight hours of their afternoons together with fifteen other undergraduates and one professor in an intro-level creative writing seminar, crossing T's, dotting I's, and composing just-a-little-too-personal memoirs. Somewhere along the way, arguing about the readings of the week (Amy Silverberg's <a href="https:" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Suburbia!</a> was by far the most controversial between us) on the walk back to the dorms after each class turned into debating the merits of different superpowers over Chic-fil-A dinners, and somewhere along the way that turned into something more. It wasn't an all-of-a-sudden thing for us, the way it is for some people. There was no switch that got flipped one day and no box that got ticked. It was a slow process. Somewhere down the line, opportunistic Chic-fil-A meals once a week became cross-campus walk/rambles when the weather was nice and dining hall dinners when it wasn't. Pretty soon, we were watching old movies and even older episodes of Doctor Who together on the weekends and studying together on the weekdays. At some point between skipping Women's Lit on a whim to go for Blizzards (we highly recommend the Blizzards (and everything else) at the <a href="https:" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Murray Dairy Queen</a>, if you get the chance to try them) on the prettiest day of Sophomore year, taking off work together on the first night back from Thanksgiving break to go see the Christmas lights Junior year, and driving to Louisville in a snowstorm one night when we were Seniors for a conference that was inevitably canceled halfway there, something between us grew and grew until we couldn't pretend not to notice it anymore. And, well, we think you know the rest. Six years, seven PRAXIS exams, two education degrees, 884 episodes of Doctor Who, two apartments, two cats, and one proposal since the beginning of our story, we are so excited to invite you to celebrate with us as we ring in our happily ever after.

Our Story

Ceremony: The Doran Arboretum

The Shoe Tree

Photos

Book here to use our discounted block room rate! Bonus: the reception will be held on-site in the Chestnut Room! Right off the highway, this Marriott-owned hotel is a short, eight-minute drive to the ceremony venue and places you squarely upon Murrays main strip. Guestrooms feature refrigerators and Smart televisions. Your memory foam bed comes with premium bedding, and all rooms are furnished with double sofa beds. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Murray

Travel

Between the two of us, we've spent a lot of time in Murray, Kentucky, so if you're looking for things to do while you're in town, look no further.

The Groom Recomends...

<a href="https://www.playhousemurray.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Playhouse in the Park</a>701 Gil Hopson Dr., Murray, KY 42071Stop by and take a stroll through the local park. If you have time, pop in for a local production put on by the best talent in Western KY. <a href="https://marshallcountyparks.org/home/mike-miller-park/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mike Miller Park</a>596 US-68, Benton, KY 42025If you are like me and you love to walk, drive on to this local park in Benton, KY. In addition to excellent walking trails, you can feed the ducks, go fish, or go play baseball or tennis in the outdoor fields. <a href="https://maggiesjungle.golf/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maggie’s Jungle Golf</a>7301 US Highway 641, North Gilbertsville, KY&nbsp;42044If you are passionate about improving your mini golf skills, I have no greater recommendation than Maggie’s. You can play mini golf and pop by the petting zoo to see some friendly animals. <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=parcells+draffenville+ky&amp;rlz=1C9BKJA_enUS1144US1144&amp;oq=parcells+draffe&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqBwgBEAAYgAQyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQABiABDIHCAIQABiABDIICAMQABgWGB4yCAgEEAAYFhgeMggIBRAAGBYYHjIHCAYQIRigATIHCAcQIRigATIHCAgQIRigATIHCAkQIRigAdIBCTEwMjQ2ajBqNKgCE7ACAeIDBBgBIF_xBU6dTCYXyvnW&amp;hl=en-US&amp;sourceid=chrome-mobile&amp;ie=UTF-8#vhid=/g/11cs5tx4n4&amp;vssid=lcl" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Parcell's Deli &amp; Grille </a>165 US Highway 68 E, Benton, KY 42025One of my favorites from my school days. I’m partial to a cheeseburger and fries, but my bride wants to stress that they also have an excellent cafe and bakery. You can even shop at one of the little boutiques connected to the store while you are there. <a href="https://www.theburritoshacker.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Burrito Shack </a>214 North 15th Street, Murray, KY 42071A great spot for a good burrito. <a href="https://www.thecalvertdrivein.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Calvert Drive-In </a>111 Drive-In Lane, Calvert City, KY 42029About 40 minutes from Murray, this is one of the last great drive-in theaters operating in the nation. One of my favorites from places to go to kick back and enjoy a good movie with good company and a great burger.

The Bride Recomends...

<a href="https:" />Don Sol Mexican Grill</a> 1203 Chestnut St., Murray, KY 42071 The best Mexican food (and the best margaritas) in Murray. And my favorite dinner spot from college.   <a href="https:" />Future Grounds</a> 1201 Payne St., Murray, KY 42071 A great stop for any of your caffeine pick-me-up needs.   <a href="https:" />Dairy Queen</a> 1303 Main St., Murray, KY 42071 With most fast food chains, if you've been to one, you've been to them all. That is absolutely not the case with the Murray, Kentucky Dairy Queen. This walk-up, treats-only location is one of the final remaining Dairy Queens to use the original, full-fat ice cream recipe, and the taste speaks for itself. The Dairy Queen is a Murray tradition like no other, so if you need a sweet treat while you're here, there's nowhere better to go.   <a href="https:" />Land Between the Lakes: Elk and Bison Prairie</a> Elk & Bison Prairie Rd, Golden Pond, KY 42211 If you're willing to drive a little ways, the Elk and Bison Prairie at Land Between the Lakes is a must-see. For just $5 a carload, you can drive through a giant, natural habitat where you'll see any number of elk, bison, wild turkeys, and more going about their daily business on this gorgeous nature preserve!

Things to Do

Registry

Alyssa + Taylor

Alyssa + Taylor

Photos

Ceremony: The Doran Arboretum

The Shoe Tree