Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Mathew and Alyssa met after matching on a dating app in February 2023. Immediately, he asked her to video call, thinking it would be his best chance to keep her interested. After a few attempts, Alyssa agreed, saying she only had time for a quick call because she was busy with homework. Three hours later, they ended the call, both needing to get some sleep. The video calls continued for hours over the next couple of weeks. During this time, Mathew asked Alyssa multiple times to go on a date with him. Finally, she agreed to go ice-skating, despite having only been a few times in her life and knowing she wasn’t very good at it. Fortunately for her, Mathew was a great teacher and held her hand the entire time. A few weeks passed, and Mathew and Alyssa were talking for hours every day at any chance they got. This time, they were discussing their plans for Saint Patrick's Day. Alyssa was heading out with friends to a place in Arkport, while Mathew was going to Phelps. A few hours into the night, Mathew tried to convince Alyssa to drive to Phelps to see him. She responded that it sounded like something a girlfriend would do—and at that point, she wasn’t his girlfriend. After a failed attempt to persuade her over the phone, and with some advice from his friend Reagan, Mathew decided to make his move in person. About an hour later, Mathew and Reagan showed up at the bar where Alyssa and her friends were. That night, Mathew asked Alyssa to make things official. From then on, they were nearly inseparable.

Where it Began 

At the beginning of last summer, Mathew won a title with his dog, Jedi, which prompted his mother to schedule a professional photo session for Jedi and her dog. Little did Alyssa know, this was the first part of Mathew's plan. The three of them went to get the pictures taken, during which Mathew didn’t appear in any of the photos. This led Alyssa to comment, “I wish we could’ve gotten pictures of all of us,” referring to herself, Mathew, and their other dog, Kylo. This comment sparked the next phase of Mathew's plan. A few weeks passed. By this point, Mathew was busy with work and his dog training season, often meeting with some of his dog-training friends for new ideas. Alyssa, on the other hand, was juggling two jobs while finishing her last few classes before starting her student teaching. As a result, their time off was extremely limited. One evening, Mathew’s mother reached out to say she felt bad that Kylo hadn’t been in any of the photos. She also mentioned that his sister, Alyson, hadn’t had a chance to get pictures of her dogs. So, she arranged a session for the two of them to get some family pictures on one of Alyssa’s two days off in August. At least, that’s what Alyssa thought was going on. In reality, Mathew had secretly booked a photographer for the time and place he wanted to propose. To keep the plan a surprise, he enlisted the help of his mother and sister to come up with a convincing story. And all those times Mathew said he was going to train dogs with friends? He was actually dropping the dogs off at his brother’s house and meeting with Reagan to go ring shopping.Finally, August 16th arrived. Alyssa and Mathew got dressed up and headed to the state park to meet the photographer. What began as a photo session with just the dogs quickly evolved into a shoot with all four of them, and then eventually, just the two of them. That’s when Mathew dropped to one knee and proposed. Afterward, they went home, but Alyssa kept asking Mathew if they could go to Black Sheep so she could share the news with her friends. After an hour of Alyssa asking, Mathew agreed. When they arrived, Alyssa was in for another surprise. Mathew had secretly reached out to their friends and family, inviting them all to Black Sheep Distillery. There, a surprise engagement party awaited them.

The Engagement

Our Timeline

Our Story

The Proposal

Engagement Favorites

Photos

Ashleigh Merry

Corey Przepiora

Abby Perry

Andrew Merry

Allison Merry

Eli Merry

Alyson Harp 

Ethan Merry

Casey Dietz

Kaleb Harp

Sarah Sheffield 

Reagan Harris

Leanna Dietz

Cora Dietz

Wedding Party

Q + A

Here is the link to book a room in our block, you can also call the hotel and request a room for the Merry/Przepiora block. The last day to request a room will be 7.8.2025 https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/deeplink/?ctyhocn=ELMORHX&groupCode=CHH907&arrivaldate=2025-08-08&departuredate=2025-08-10&cid=OM,WW,HILTONLINK,EN,DirectLink&fromId=HILTONLINKDIRECT

Hampton Inn Hornell

If you would prefer something larger than a hotel room please check out Airbnb for more options

Below are other hotels available in the area. Please note that the Hampton Inn will be the only hotel with a wedding block

Near St. James HospitalMake yourself at home in one of the 48 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and complimentary newspapers, as well as pho

Days Inn by Wyndham Hornell NY

Near St. James HospitalMake yourself at home in one of the 66 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature deep soaking bathtubs and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include microwaves, as w

Econo Lodge Hornell

Near Hornell Erie Depot MuseumMake yourself at home in one of the 62 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature designer toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and microwaves, as wel

Best Western Maple City Inn

On site camper parking is avaible, if you wish to bring your camper please reach out to the couple by 7.9.25 so they can accommodate and coordinate with you

Travel

A local Winery located in Arkport! Check out their website &amp; Facebook page for fun events that they may have!

Savor Vineyards and Wines

Check out the distillery that is mentioned in their story! If your lucky you might even get to have a drink made by our Bride!

Alyssa & Mathew

Alyssa & Mathew

Wedding Party