Rehearsal Dinner

O'Donnell Golf Club

Wedding Day

PLEASE RESAVE OUR DATE!                                                                                       BRENNA & PHIL ARE GETTING MARRIED

He put a ring on it!Welcome to our wedding website, we can’t wait to celebrate our special day with you.We’ve created this website as a convenient and interactive way to share all of the important details with you in the lead up to our wedding.You can find all of the need-to-knows right here, including nearby accommodations, things to do in the area, registry and a little bit about our love story so far. Don't forget to RSVP when the invitations arrive this June!Thank you so much for your ongoing love and support. We are so excited to share this day with you and look forward to dancing (and drinking!) with all of our favorite people! We’d love you to have a look around and learn more about our wedding day plans.Love, Brenna &amp; Phil xo

Our Wedding

Our love story began in Bangor, Maine back in early 2017 (at Half Acre Nightclub! Mainers know...). I was a few months from moving out of state for my next TV reporting job, and Phil was working as a credit analyst for Bar Harbor Bank &amp; Trust. Fast forward a few months later where I had landed a job at KPTV in Portland, OR. It only took three days for Phil to visit me on the west coast, and decide he'd be coming too!Nearly three years later, it's Christmas Eve 2019. I had invited some friends over for a potluck and gift exchange, and Phil had a bigger plan in mind. One that would forever change the course of our lives. Although I am a TV reporter, I never like to be the center of attention...so when Phil asked me to open 'one more present'....I said "No, thank you." After some awkward back and forth, Phil got down on one knee and asked me to marry him with the most beautiful ring I had ever seen. The rest is history!

Our Story

Accommodations

These are uncertain times...are we all tired of hearing that yet? But really--please know that although Phil and I can't imagine saying 'I Do' without you, we also understand that distance or other factors may make traveling to Palm Springs too difficult. Now, with that said--let's get on with the fun! With an average of over 300 days full of sunshine, Palm Springs is a destination wedding&nbsp;hot spot. Hotels in this area fill up quickly and get quite expensive in the fall due to the exceptional weather, so please book early (like right now)! Here, we have some hotel options that are SUPER close to the O'Donnell Golf Course venue, but please feel free to book one of the many and unique boutique hotels, or an Airbnb/Vrbo if that's more convenient or your style. If you can find a better fit, we are thrilled! Palm Springs is a small town and everything is close.

Palm Mountain Resort &amp; Spa is offering our wedding guests a free airport shuttle (if it resumes by our wedding date) and they're only a couple of easy-walking blocks from our wedding venue, the O'Donnell Golf Club. Palm Mountain is quiet, offering basic accommodations only, but across the street you will find plenty of restaurants, bars, and full-service hotels with nightlife (Hyatt &amp; Kimpton Rowan). They have blocked rooms for us on Friday and Saturday night, but you can reserve earlier or later than these dates, based on availability.

ROOM BLOCK EXPIRES SEPT. 8 — Palm Mountain Resort & Spa: Guaranteed Wedding Group Rate!

Hyatt Palm Springs is as you would expect it to be. A luxurious, full-service hotel with everything you could want or need, including a complimentary airport shuttle (if it resumes by our wedding date). Rooms are 600 sq. ft. with private balcony, additional living space with a sleeper sofa/pull-out bed. Just two easy-walking blocks from our wedding venue. They have blocked rooms for us on Friday and Saturday night, but you can reserve earlier or later than these dates, based on availability. "RIGHT-CLICK" ON THIS LINK TO OPEN IN A NEW TAB. RATE IS FOR UP TO 2 ADULTS (EACH ADDITIONAL PERSON ADD $25/NIGHT): <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/PALMS/G-08KE" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/PALMS/G-08KE</a>

ROOM BLOCK EXPIRES SEPT. 8--Hyatt Palm Springs: Guaranteed Wedding Group Rate! 

The Kimpton Rowan is swanky and full-service. It boasts a restaurant and bar, a rooftop swimming pool/bar and seasonal live entertainment. It's also just two easy-walking blocks from our wedding venue. (No airport shuttle.)

Kimpton Rowan Hotel (No Group Rate)

Palm Springs is one of 9 desert cities in the Coachella Valley, each with its own special personality. While downtown, you'll be steps away from many restaurants and cafes with outdoor seating, an art museum, beautiful Spanish and mid-century modern architecture (be sure to walk the old neighborhoods), shopping of all sorts, and the famous Palm Springs Aerial Tramway!

If you have the time, I can hardly think of anything more memorable or unique than taking the very nearby Palm Springs Aerial Tramway 8,500 feet to the top of Mt. San Jacinto! If you are planning on this adventure bring a warm coat, because the weather up there will be extremely different than down below. The mountain may even have snow! <a href="https://pstramway.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">From their website...</a> The world’s largest rotating tram car—travels over two-and-one-half miles along the breathtaking cliffs of Chino Canyon, transporting riders to the pristine wilderness of the Mt. San Jacinto State Park. During your approximately ten-minute journey, tram cars rotate slowly, offering picturesque and spectacular vistas of the valley floor below. Once you reach the Mountain Station—elevation 8,516 feet—enjoy two restaurants, observation decks, natural history museum, two documentary theaters, gift shop and over 50 miles of hiking trails.

For other experiences, <a href="https:" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://www.palmsprings.com/attractions/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here's a great website</a> for what to do in Palm Springs.

Things to Do

Bob is Brenna's uncle, and father of Alecia. He's often soft spoken, wonderful at listening and also giving advice, and most importantly, has been a big inspiration to Brenna throughout her lifetime. We are so excited that Bob has accepted our request to officiate our wedding!

Uncle Bob Barrett

Mia is Brenna and Phil's rottie mix. She was rescued from the Oregon Humane Society in April 2019, and has been blossoming ever since. She loves cuddles and will be anyone's best friend after a little warming up. You'll hopefully see her at the wedding!

Arianna loves giving and receiving compliments, and can't wait to walk down the aisle! 

Arianna

Coltee is the best little chubby boy, who may not be able to be trusted with the rings. But he'll sure wear his 'Ring Security' title with pride!

Colton

Carly is Phil's sister, otherwise known as sometimes-third-roommate of mine and Phil's. She is our guinea pig for new recipes, great companion during quarantine, and always laughs at all my jokes. She is the best sister I could've asked for. 

Carly Frost

Alecia is Brenna's cousin and mama of two. She's been the closest thing to a sister I've had growing up. Her littles, Arianna and Colton, are also part of the wedding as a flower girl and ring bearer. 

Alecia Robinson

Amanda and Brenna met their senior year of college when Amanda filled the last spot in a house shared by seven women (if you're wondering how we did that...yeah, we are too). They became fast friends and bonded over their love of studying. Just kidding, we drank a lot of Fireball. #GoCougs!

Amanda Schwiesow

I met Tiffany at a journalism conference in 2017. We didn't room together, or even spend that much time together at the conference itself. Being the insanely loving and kind gal she is, Tiffany invited me to spend the last night at her house in OKC and we've been friends ever since. 

Tiffany Liou

Ashley was introduced to me by Tiffany when I went to the same journalism conference two years later. Ashley and I clicked instantly. She has one of the kindest hearts I've ever known and I feel so lucky to have found an incredible friend halfway across the country. 

Ashley Holden

I met Yasmeen in Bangor, Maine, while I was working there as a TV reporter. Her job was (and still is in Hartford, CT today!) to help TV news crews tell stories. Yas would give anyone the shirt off her back. Through THICK and thin, she has always been there for me and I can't wait to have her by my side on my wedding day. PS. She introduced me to Phil!!

Yasmeen Badich

Christine is my absolute OLDEST friend. She's 100! Just kidding. We met in first grade in Temecula, CA because our childhood homes were (and still are!) directly across from each other on the same cul-de-sac. We were young entrepreneurs selling car washes and snow cones, singing to Britney Spears and playing video games late into the night during our sleepovers. I love this girl and her incredible passion for helping people in the field she works in as an ER nurse. 

Christine Kappel 

Chapin is Phil's “little-big brother.” After spending 18 years sharing a room, they are enjoying some space in different cities. He recently joined the FBI and is a longstanding member of the Army Reserves. Chapin lives in Boston, MA.

Chapin Frost

Brian is Phil's best friend from high school. From Fairmount Park to co-founding West Side Story, it's been a great ride. Brian spent the last year in Oregon building a wind farm and recently moved to Florida to continue his career with NextEra Energy.

Brian Burns

Kyle and I met freshman year of college where we played soccer together and somehow ended up on the same floor in the dormitory. Kyle is one of the greatest friends I have ever known - and a bulldozer on the soccer field. He would do anything to help a friend in need, which is probably why he is a natural at building relationships and continues to enjoy a career in sales in Portland, ME.

Kyle Hargreaves

Sam Nisbett is a modest track star with an affinity for great beer. We became friends in high school and ended up sharing a room in college. I am proud to call Sam one of my best friends. Sam is an Accountant (Audit) in Portland, ME.

Sam Nisbett

Sean has been one of my best friends since high school. After years of wild shifts slinging dough at the local pizza parlor together, Sean graduated with both a business and engineering degree. He now travels the country building wind farms for NextEra Energy. 

Sean Mackintosh

Juergen is one of Phil's oldest friends and founding member of West Side Story. He took all the wisdom instilled by the Danger Ranger (Phil's first car) and became an engineer. Now he advocates for offshore wind projects. 

Juergen Pilot

Blake and I met in college where he became an honorary member of the Husson Soccer team. He is one of the kindest and most energetic people I have ever met. Whether it is fishing, sports, or stocks, he loves hearing about your interests. Blake is a CPA and working towards his CFP (in-between researching business ideas) here in Portland, OR.  

Blake Speed

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

What’s the dress code?

Formal cocktail attire. 'It's a DRY heat!' is what they always say, and zero chance of rain. And it's true. While you won't be sticky from humidity, it will be quite warm. The ceremony and reception are both located outside mostly on the grass, with Palm Springs early October weather reaching upwards of 90 degrees during the day, and low-mid 60s at night. Great love, music, and dancing will be from 5:00-11:00 pm.

Are the kiddos invited? 

We love all of the children of our family and friends! But we’d like you to join in the celebration and enjoy a night off so, with the exception of babies and those in the wedding party, we’ve decided on an adults-only wedding.

Brenna & Phil

Brenna & Phil

Photos