Welcome Dinner

Machias Meadows

Wedding Day

Guests Arrive

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

Meeting on the Pitch

Ariel and Jack met one late summer day in 2021, playing small goal soccer in Lynnwood, WA. Jack knew just how to grab Ariel's attention - he threw out some of his best dance moves to Olivia Rodrigo, right on that soccer field. Ariel had noticed Jack once before, and had dubbed him "cute soccer boy," but was also convinced that there was no way that he was single. So when Jack started dancing at Ariel, she was quite confused on why cute soccer boy was paying attention to her. But that was just the first half of the game... the second half, Jack was even bold enough to start chasing Ariel around the field. They chatted for a minute after, but they both had to run off for other games, and not much else happened until a few days later at the Redmond fields. Ariel was determined this time to gets Jack's attention. Lucky enough, Ariel was asked to sub for the team playing against Jack's team. This time, Ariel chased Jack around the field. And apparently, the referee noticed as well. After the game, the ref came up to Ariel and started talking with her, and then suddenly Jack was also brought into the conversation (we still debate on how this actually happened). Names were finally exchanged, but once again, Jack had to run off for another game and that was it for the night. FINALLY, after chatting some on Monday (and Ariel telling another ref, E, that she thought Jack was cute), that next Wednesday is when things started making progress. Ariel needed a goal keeper for her game (and was hoping Jack could play), and with the recruiting help of that other ref, E, Jack came over to Ariel and told her that he could play in her game. By the end of that night, Jack and Ariel were chatting away, and after agreeing on Jack joining Ariel's team, Jack asked for Ariel's number to "coordinate game times". That following day, Jack texted Ariel a picture of whiskey, and the two haven't gone a day without talking since.

The First Date

The first date was at Flat Stick Pub in South Lake Union, Seattle, full of mini golf and the best games of giant Jenga would have ever seen. Jack was quite nervous the entire time, so much so that Ariel had to ask for a kiss at the end of the night! But they had already set up date #2, at Ariel's apartment the following day for Jack to meet 2 of the 4 four-legged children, the "Gals". Jack would eventually meet the other two children, Pskye and Roger, and little would he know what he was getting into dating a horse girl! At this point in time, Lucy and Mazie were not quite the friendliest with strangers, so Ariel had warned Jack that they might bark a little when he first arrived, but they'll warm up eventually to him. Little did Ariel know that when she would walk Jack in, Lucy would think that Jack was her long-lost best friend, and Mazie was cool with anyone that Lucy was cool with. Ariel took this as a sign, and as you can see, the rest is history from here.

The Proposal

It only took both Ariel and Jack about a year to know that this was it (Ariel already had rings picked out by this time...), but they weren't in a rush. Jack ended up proposing to Ariel on November 16th, 2024, at Woodland Park Zoo's Wild Lanterns. Ariel only wanted one thing with the proposal - complete surprise - and Jack nailed it. Jack had a very elaborate plan to not give anything away. He shipped the ring to work and put it in the safe until he gave it to his brother, Adam, for safe keeping until the day. He also ordered a custom ring box that he sent to his best friend, Owen, for some more safe keeping. Ariel's best friend, Ciera, "ask to hangout" on the day, and Owen and Adam got to be included too somehow. On the day, Ariel had had some small inklings that things were a little weird, but she kept fleeting them away, just happy to be spending time with her most favorite people. Eventually, after some time walking around the Zoo Lanterns, Jack snuck away with Owen and Adam to gather everything, and said that he'll do it at the next light fixture. Funny enough, the next one ended up being unicorns! After taking some pictures and once again, being incredibly nervous, Jack finally started his proposal speech. Ariel immediately knew what was happening, but Jack had done such a good job keeping things a secret, that she thought Jack was joking when he first started the speech. Until he pulled out the ring, and then she was like "wow, this is really happening!" Following were many phone calls/face-times, and lots and lots of celebrating!

All the Rest

The last 4-5 years have been filled with so much love, laughter, and adventures. Trips to Cancun, California, Nevada (Vegas baby!), Colorado, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Wyoming, Montana, and so far, 11 national parks. Too many soccer games to count (playing with and against each other). Many day trips to small towns across Washington, fun dates all across the Seattle area, lots and lots of hikes, and even a climb to Camp Muir on Mt. Rainer. The last 1-2 years of engagement have been special, as we continue to grow our love and plan for this special day. We both love celebrating love, and are so excited that it is our turn. We cannot wait to enjoy this day, making more memories, surrounded by our family and friends.

Our Story

Engagement Photos

Ciera and Ariel met in 4-H at age 13, but their relationship really blossomed as their 4-H days were ending (early college) and they realized they wanted to hang out without horses too

Ciera

Jack and Owen met at Whitman College their freshman year and were instantly inseparable, as they spent a lot of time together being the only two goal keepers on the men's soccer team

Owen

Ariel and Hannah met in late 2018, in their "Natural History of the Puget Sound" class at UW, bonding over Ariel not wanting her hair to get wet

Hannah

Jack's younger brother, known each other since 2002

Adam

Shavela and Ariel met when they both started working/riding at Copple Show horses back in 2015

Shavela

Jake and Jack met in "Mommy & Me" classes as toddlers, but also played club soccer and worked at the Yogurt Mill together

Jake

Ariel's younger sister, known each other since 2000

Karissa

Ian and Jack met in high school freshman year's Drafting class and bonded over their mutual love for soccer

Ariel's older sister, known each other since 1997

Nicole

Ariel's brother-in-law since 2016, who has become close friends with Jack over the years (and over one Cancun open bar)

Jayson

Ariel's slightly older (by 2 months) cousin, known each other since 1997

Megan

Quinn and Jack met at a Halloween party in 2021, Jack and Ariel's first outing as an official couple

Quinn

Julie and Ariel met through mutual friends on the ski slopes not too long ago in 2021

Julie

Colin and Jack grew close while Colin (Ciera's now husband) was Ariel's roommate when Jack first started coming over in 2021

Colin

Jill and Ariel have been close friends since being in the same 1st grade class

Jill

John is one of Jack’s (and Ariel’s) bestest friends from the rec soccer league. We love our annual camping trips!

John

Ali and Ariel met horsing around at Mone Farms in 2011, and Ariel spent lots of time at Ali's house after that

Summer and Jack became close friends freshman year of high school after hearing stories of each other for years from Jack's mom

Summer

Nicole and Ariel met horsing around at Mone Farms in 2010, and they have traveled some of the world together in the time since

Meg and Jack were college roommates at the Wasteland his junior year of Whitman College, spending nights listening to NEEDTOBREATHE and talking about life

Leanna and Ariel met at Copple Show Horses in 2018, where they have spent lots of horse shows together

Leanna

Codie and Jack met through Jack's Whitman soccer teammate (now her fiancé), and was Jack's roommate at the Wasteland

Codie

Courtney and Jack met working together at the Yogurt Mill in 2019 and bonded over life advice and the San Diego Padres. Courtney is expecting 3 days before the wedding (how rude) and we will miss her dearly at the wedding!

Courtney

Wedding Party

As there will be lots of people travelling from out of town, flying into Seattle-Tacoma International Airport will be best and we recommend that folks stay in Bellevue or Kirkland (eastside Seattle). Bellevue/Kirkland is about 25-30 minutes (without traffic) from SeaTac. Renting a car will be easiest to travel around the Seattle area and up to Snohomish on wedding day. Bellevue and Kirkland are both very safe cities and have a variety of accommodations (hotels, Airbnb, VRBO). Folks are welcome to stay in Snohomish if desired (1 hour, without traffic, from SeaTac), but it is a small town and accommodations will be limited. Bellevue/Kirkland to the wedding venue in Snohomish is 45 minutes (without traffic). Unfortunately, there is always traffic in Seattle, even on weekends, so please give yourself extra time to get around, and always checks maps for accidents!

Travel

If you are making a trip out of this special occasion, there are so many great, fun things to do in the Seattle area! Please reach out to Jack and Ariel for specific recommendations, but here are some of the classics/our favorites: - Visit downtown Seattle and see things like the Aquarium, Space Needle, Pike Place Market, the Waterfront, Chihuly Museum, Museum of Pop Culture, or any of the amazing places to eat- Go see some cute animals at one of our personal favorites, the Woodland Park Zoo- Downtown Bellevue is lovely with wonderful parks, the Bellevue Mall, and also tons of great places to eat and drink- The Kirkland Waterfront is another awesome downtown spot with lots of cute shops, fantastic food, and fun breweries/bars- Our first date spot, Flat Stick Pub, has several locations (Seattle, Kirkland, Redmond) with mini golf, fun games, delicious food, and local WA brews- There are amazing hikes everywhere, with tons within an hour of Bellevue/Kirkland and some even within 20 minutes- If you are up for some adventuring, visit one of the national parks (Rainer, North Cascades, Olympics), all within 3 hours of the Seattle area- We also love taking a historic ferry ride out into the Sound, Bainbridge Island is an area that we have visited many times

Things to Do

Registry

Semi-Formal Attire: Suits, Dresses, or Cocktail Attire Welcome! The couple requests neutral or pastel tones (i.e., no bright colors please).

Ariel & Jack

Ariel & Jack

Registry

While we have provided a few ideas for more tangible gifts that we would love, we enjoy most having new experiences together and would greatly appreciate contributions to our honeymoon fund. Thank you in advance for supporting our first adventures together as a married couple!