Keystone United Methodist Church

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Alex and Anne Elise started liking each other when they were playing frisbee at a Triathlon Party in August 2013. Anne Elise initially liked Alex because "he was outdoorsy, handsome, chill, and not full of himself ". Alex liked Anne Elise because "she wasn't like any other girl, I'd ever met. She was solid and genuine". They became best friends. They mountain biked, practiced archery, built things, fished, ran, studied the bible, and ate lots of Taco Bell. Their first kiss was on Abby's couch watching Bridesmaids. Soon they became sole mates. They supported each other in their passions. Anne Elise was Alex's pit crew. Alex was Anne Elise's race fan. They loved camping, feeding tortoises, playing on the water, and surfing. Alex was accepted into the academy in May 2015 and they began their "long distance" relationship. Austin, Alex's brother and best friend, started Airforce training that month too. Anne Elise and Alex tacked thousands of miles onto their cars and probably killed a few polar bears. They spent some wonderful time with Alex's family, especially his grandfather and late grandmother. In January 2016, Alex was located to Lake Wales. Anne Elise loved running through the packed-clay hills that weaved through orange groves up to the 5th highest point in Florida and then down to the low lying wetlands. Alex spent a lot of time at "Rural King". They found a nice small church and felt a part of the little town of Babson Park. Alex moved to River Ranch in August. Every chance they got, they went off-roading, camping, fishing, or hunting. They brought "Copper" home a few weeks later. Follow Anne Elise on instagram, to see his story!Finally, after 2 years of long distance, Anne Elise and Alex found jobs in the same area. Alex proposed to Anne Elise at River Ranch at the top of a hill over looking hundreds of cattle and the Kissimmee River, as the sun was setting. He turned on "in case you didn't know" (before the song was cool by the way), while Anne Elise was sitting on the tailgate of his truck taking photos of Copper in the sunset. He got down on one knee and Anne Elise hugged him and said yes before even looking at the awesome ring.

Story 

Our Story

Details

Who would have thought that the first person I met at CU would be one of my best friends? We met in Pre-orientation, the spring before we even started school in the Fall. We wanted to be roommates after that first introduction, but held off because of my crazy equestrian team schedule and settled for a single dorm.  We were roommates the second year and every year after that! Memories: Crashing Duff Ball, trips to the gorges, Monkey Run, 218 Delaware, wine tours, Bahamas, ski trips, Applefest and Ithacafest, races and getting lost trying to get there, trips to Florida, Adirondacks, Rochester, Boston, Beaufort, Froyo and Wegmans trips, hockey, post 21st birthday field trips to the field..., karaoke, CTB, plantations,  Slope Days, Boston marathons, more icecream, okay... well basically the past years of my life have been shaped by Alex!    

Alex B. 

For 26 years he has been Alex's best friend. They played the same sports, went to the same schools, shared rooms, worked side-by-side and helped each other out of tight spots. Although their career paths have separated them, they remain close and continue to cherish the relationship that they have. So it was no surprise when Austin was chosen to be Alex's best man. Love you brother!

Austin

Betsy and Anne Elise met at the national cross country championships in 2008... fortunately for them Betsy did not have a very good race and Anne Elise had the race of her life, so they placed 9th and 11th and met in the finish shoot!  Anne Elise saw Betsy's Florida singlet and yelled  "oh my gosh! You go to UF! I'm from Florida!" When Anne Elise decided to go to UF for graduate school, Betsy was the first person she contacted!  Little did they know that they would become the best of friends!  There's no denying that Anne Elise and Betsy are very different in more than just a handful of ways  (fortunately Betsy is accepting of Anne Elise's weirdness!) and their friendship has  made them even better and stronger women!  Together, they love running, dancing, dining, leading, swimming, drinking, venting, and teaching together.  Before Anne Elise defended her PhD,  Betsy listened to AE practice her phd defense on charcoal 3 times!  And then she still came to the final presentation! If that isn't friendship... idk what is.  From road trips to races to canoes to couches...and everything in between,  who knows what will  await Anne Elise and Betsy on their next adventure?

Betsy

 Ethan and Alex met many moons ago running track and cross-country at St. Johns. They shared a similar interest in the outdoors and quickly become friends. They spent many days squirrel/armadillo hunting, target shooting, boating around/hanging out on Black Creek, and having bond fires (large and small). One of their greatest accomplishments together was their impressive theatrical lip-sync performance "Man of Constant Sorrow" in the prestigious Mr. St. Johns competition. Alex has and will always cherish their friendship and looks forward to having Ethan in his wedding. 

Ethan

I met Amanda through Anna in 2014. We hit it off right away because all of the things we had in common! Horses... running... and a focus on Christ. We loved running with each other and sharing stories. After a year or so, I wanted to spend more time with Amanda, so got connected with a Greenhouse bible study. Through this, I gained an amazing friendship with Leigh Ann and a deeper friendship with Alex S. A group of us, including Courtney, Jenna, and Anna formed a tight group, "FaithfulFeet", symbolizing our love of running and goal to be faithful servants of Christ. Our trip to Ashville brought us even closer as we discovered uncertain territory through running and driving the big blue truck, "Optimus".Amanda became a 4-H extension agent the year before I did and I can't help but think that this gave me the extra push I needed  to do the same! It is so nice having a confidant who understand the stressors and joys of the career! She is an incredible athlete, ambassador for Christ, and leader. "Trigger", has filled the horse-hole in my heart. Copper loves playing with her amazing puppies. Alex and I have loved spending time with  Tyler  as well and love his jam, icecream, and wood working. So, it might sound like Amanda and I are super similar, but if you see us together you'll find strong differences that beautifully complement each other to make us the best of friends!

Amanda

Abby and I met at the first TriGators track practice in the summer of 2013. Betsy pushed me to go to the practice and literally that day, I gained 2 more new friends, Kacy and Abby! Abby and Kacy invited me to see a movie... was it bridesmaids? If so, that would be too ironic. They were probably surprised that I said yes, but honestly I was surprised that they asked me on a girls-date! Well, our friendship just grew! Abby and I were roommates for over 2 years and shared an insane amount of memories. From floating down the creek on a blowup mattress, falling and failing at 8-Seconds line dances, getting stuck in the mud at a country concert, weekends dedicated to football, skinning dear in the backyard, kiddie pools, and fireball... to graduating with our doctorates... we were side-by-side the whole time. 

Abby

Casey and Alex met in 2015 while attending the State Law Enforcement training academy. They began their journey as two fresh recruits of FWC class 28 and quickly realized they shared many common interests. Casey and Alex began an evening tradition of watching Jeopardy at 7pm on weekdays and could often be found at the shooting range on the weekends. They enjoyed discussing different topics like weapon platforms, shooting techniques and tactics, off-road driving and cats vs. dogs. Alex admires Casey for his intense focus, fortitude and strong work ethic and is grateful to have him in his wedding.&nbsp;

Casey

 Jackson and Alex also met through cross-country and track at St. Johns. They both bonded after having a scuffle at running practice and soon found that they both shared a passion for anything on two wheels. They would share many laughs together, big and small, and would come to know each other quite well over the years. Many days were spent at the beach, from minimal late night skim board sessions on the shore and log dodging surf sessions in the ocean, to getting a much needed lift from a stranger. Jackson and Alex have had many good times together and have many more to look forward to. 

Jackson

AE and Anna met and became instant friends in 2014 at track practice. Since they both desperately missed having their ponies in their life, they went to check out a local barn. It was then that they realized they were rivals in high school. Anna was the 2009 Florida 4H horseman of the year... and AE (begrudgingly) was the Runner-Up. Anne Elise soaked Anna with the hose and got her bitterness out... there was no more resentment after that! They share their love of dogs, running, mountain biking, the beach, and outdoor-life in general. If someone recorded their philosophical conversations about health, psychology, Christianity, and humanity, it would make a killer podcast series.

Anna

 Todd and Alex met in school at St. Johns. Wait; did Todd even go to St. Johns? A question often asked as old stories are told around the scorching flames of a late night bond fire. From early on in their friendship, Todd and Alex had a special connection. They found that this connection quickly brought them much closer then they ever could have imagined. Over the years, Todd has seemed to be the glue that has held the group together. Often setting up parties, boat days and other miscellaneous get-togethers to pull us all together from our busy work lives. Alex looks forward to another great get-together with Todd and friends on February 17th! 

Todd

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

This is where we suggest "camping"!We have reserved all 14 of the cabins, which hold 4-6 people each. In order to accommodate as many people as possible, we are trying to fill each cabin to its maximum capacity. Contact Anne Elise or Alex at ac864@ufl.edu or aw02258@gmail.com, if you are interested in a cabin. We will do our best to put you in a cabin, if you don't mind staying with friends/family! But they are limited.There are many tent camping sites or RV hookups, if we don't have rooms in cabins. If you want to reserve a tent site or RV hookup, contact the park or reserveamerica.com, respectively, to reserve directly. Otherwise, please look at the local B&amp;B's or hotels, which are listed below! <a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/park-activities/Mike-Roess#Cabins">https://www.floridastateparks.org/park-activities/...</a>

Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park

Great if you don't mind connecting flights!

Gainesville Regional Airport

Smaller than Orlando, bigger than Gville... Good luck!

Jacksonville International Airport

For the folks who want to stay in a typical hotel!

Best Western Waldo

For the folks who want a tv, internet, AND bed and breakfast... on a lake

Hampton Lake Bed & Breakfast

Tiny bit east of Gainesville, super fancy, and they love to host weddings and guests.

Magnolia Plantation Bed and Breakfast Inn

If you don't mind Starke... It's probably a good hotel and has good reviews... but it's in Starke.

Best Western Starke

The University Hotel. A little over 30 minutes from the Campgrounds and a little less than 30 minutes from the church.

Holiday Inn Gainesville-University Ctr

Travel

<a href="https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Mike-Roess">https://www.floridastateparks.org/park/Mike-Roess</a>

Harn Museum of Art

<a href="https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/">https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/</a>

Anne Elise & Alex

Anne Elise & Alex

A&A

Wedding Day

12:00 PM

Wedding

Reception