Wedding Day

St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church

Ceremony

Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel

Reception

Our Wedding

Our Wedding ceremony will begin at 2:30PM at St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church on Leesville Road in Raleigh. The ceremony will be a traditional Roman Catholic nuptial mass. Please note: face masks are required at St. Francis of Assisi, so please plan on wearing one. If you are out-of-town and staying at one our hotels in North Hills (the Renaissance, the AC, or the Hyatt) we will be providing a coach, which will leave promptly at 1:45PM from the Renaissance. The coach will also be returning out-of-town guests to the Renaissance after Mass ends. There will be a short break in between Mass and the Cocktail Hour--Patrick and I would encourage you relax and enjoy one of the many boutiques and bars in North Hills. We have listed some of our favorites on the "Things to Do" page! At 6PM the Cocktail Hour will begin on the Second Floor balcony at the Renaissance Hotel. The Cocktail Hour music will be featuring the Emerald Empire Band's Jazz Trio. Dinner will begin in the Renaissance Ballroom at 7PM. On your RSVP we have asked that you let us know your party's meal choices in advanced. The options are: (1) Roasted Black Angus Filet Mignon with aCabernet Reduction and Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes (2) Seared All-Natural Chicken Breast withTruffle Macaroni and Cheese (3) Grilled Halibut with Pineapple Chutney and Basil Oilaccompanied by Wild Mushroom Risotto (4) a Chef's Choice Vegetarian option Please inform us of any allergies. Following dinner, we will have music and dancing brought to you by the Emerald Empire Band. We are so excited to see you there!

Our Wedding Day

The Wedding Reception will be held in the Renaissance, which is in the North Hills Shopping Center. The hotel has set aside 20 Deluxe Rooms for wedding guests. Please call the hotel and tell them that you are with the Cushing-Testa group to make a reservation.

Renaissance North Hills

The AC Marriott is across the street from the Renaissance, about a 5-10 minute walk. The hotel has set aside 20 rooms for wedding guests at the rate of $119 per night. Must be booked by November 12, 2021 in order to receive the group rate.

AC Hotel by Marriott Raleigh North Hills

We have set aside 15 studio hotel rooms at a rate of $109 per night and 5 one-bedroom suites at a rate of $139. The Hyatt House is across the street from the Renaissance, about a 5-10 minute walk. Must be booked by November 3rd in order to receive the group rate.

Hyatt House North Hills

Travel

Caitlin and Patrick's wedding will be held in Raleigh, North Carolina, one of the fastest growing cities in the country. Home of a burgeoning tech industry, three of the top universities in the world, an established foodie culture, and Southern Hospitality, Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill create what is known as "The Triangle". If you are staying in the North Hills area (at the Renaissance, the Hyatt House, or the AC Marriott), you are just north of Downtown Raleigh, a quick 10-minute drive. Ubers are plentiful in this part of the city and you will find that you are close to restaurants, museums, city parks, and historical sites. If you want to to travel a bit further, Cary, Durham, and Chapel Hill are all located along I-40 to the west of Raleigh. We have listed here some great sites to visit, as well as some of our favorite restaurants, so that you can fully take advantage of your time in our home. Wherever you decide to go, we hope you have the best time exploring the Triangle's cities, walking its parks and greenways, and savoring its excellent cuisine.

Restaurant Recommendations

In North Hills (close to the Renaissance)Coquette Brasserie: lunch/brunch/dinner/drinks; Caitlin's favorite restaurant and a place that Patrick and Caitlin have enjoyed many a date night! Coquette has excellent Brunch, Cocktails, Wine, and French Food. Enjoy some Moules or Beef Bourguignon with a French 75!Firebirds: lunch/dinner/drinks; a delightful bar and restaurant within walking distance of the hotel.Bar Taco: lunch/dinner/drinks; right next to the Renaissance! Enjoy the margaritas and all types of tacos here.Level7: small plates/drinks; a rooftop bar across the street from the Renaissance. Delicious drinks and tapas with a view. Can be found inside the AC Marriott.The Cowfish: lunch/dinner/drinks; a sushi and burger restaurant across the street (Six Forks Rd) from the Renaissance and in the same general area as the AC Marriott and the Hyatt House.The Yard House: lunch/dinner/drinks; a gastropub and bar in the same area as the AC Marriott and the Hyatt House (and across the street from the Renaissance.)The Capital Grill: lunch/dinner/drinks; if you fancy a steak dinner, The Capital Grill is located in the same area as the AC Marriott and the Hyatt House.Vivace: lunch/dinner; an Italian restaurant located a brief walk from the Renaissance across Lassiter Mill Rd. Downtown Raleigh (5-10 minute drive)Trophy Brewing and Pizza: lunch/dinner/drinks; an excellent brewery to go to just a short walk from the State Capitol building.Gravy: lunch/dinner; one of Caitlin and Patrick's favorite restaurants, an excellent Italian restaurant in downtown Raleigh.Beasley's Chicken and Honey: lunch/brunch; an institution in Raleigh for Southern breakfast and brunch.The Pit: lunch/dinner; an excellent choice if you are looking for North Carolina Barbeque. Plus they have tons of Southern sides.Raleigh Beer Garden: lunch/dinner/drinks; RBG (what great initials) has the largest number of taps in the world. Enjoy North Carolina beers, Craft Beers from around the country, and brand name beers from around the world.Anchor Bar: drinks; Caitlin and her bridesmaid, Lola spent one excellent New Year's Eve together at this bar. Neither lady remembers very much except for the fact that there was popcorn and delightful cocktails. Durham/Chapel Hill (30-minute drive--but worth it!)Pizzeria Toro: lunch/dinner/drinks; being from New Jersey, the Cushing family are pizza snobs. Pizzeria Toro is an excellent pizza establishment with a fantastic bar attached.Dashi: dinner/drinks; this is an excellent ramen shop and izakaya in the heart of downtown Durham.Bull McCabe's Irish Bar: lunch/dinner/drinks; always a good place for snacks and drinks! Caitlin worked here in grad school!Bar Virgile: lunch/dinner/drinks; one of the best bars in Durham. Bar Virgile has delicious bistro-style French food and small plates. Their cocktails are to die for!Guglhupf: lunch/dinner; this restaurant is a true Durham establishment. It is famous for its German food, bakery, and lunch. One of the most popular restaurants in the Triangle!Dame's Chicken and Waffles: lunch/brunch; a famous Durham establishment. If you want Chicken and Waffles come here (or to its satellite branch in Cary--see below!)Mediterranean Deli: lunch/dinner; a Chapel Hill institution. Come here for a large, and delicious, selection of Mediterranean food.TRU: light food/drinks; one of Caitlin's favorite spots in Chapel Hill. An excellent selection of craft beers, cocktails, and wine as well as cheese plates and sandwiches. Cary (10 minute drive)Dame's Chicken and Waffles: lunch/brunch; come see where it all began! This delicious spot is the site of Caitlin and Patrick's first date. (You should definitely get the What a Classy Hen?)La Farm: breakfast/lunch; a French bakery, café, and sandwich shop that Patrick lovingly calls L.A. Farm. The Parisian sandwich (jambon buerre!) is most certainly what you should order.

Things to Do

Downtown Raleigh (5-10 minute drive):State CapitolNorth Carolina Museum of ArtNorth Carolina History MuseumNorth Carolina Museum of Natural SciencesDorothea Dix ParkWalking Downtown RaleighNC State UniversityWalking Downtown Glenwood AveCameron Village (a boutique shopping center) Raleigh/Cary (10-20 minute drive):Umstead State ParkCarolina Hurricanes GamesLake Crabtree County Park (Patrick lives on this lake!) Downtown Durham/Chapel Hill (30 minute drive):Duke UniversityNasher Museum of ArtThe Duke GardensWalking Downtown DurhamUNC Chapel Hill (one of Caitlin's alma maters!)Ackland Museum of Art (the site of Caitlin and Patrick's third date-- she knew he was a keeper when he listened interestedly to her extolling the merits of Medieval art)North Carolina Botanical GardenWalking Franklin Street Further afield (for those of you who would like a day trip outside of the Triangle):Asheville, NCCharlotte, NCNew Bern, NC

Charlotte is Caitlin's younger sister. They used to beat each other up in their younger years, but now they have become more civilized in their advanced years. They both attended Marquette University together and have many fond memories from their 18-hour drives between New Jersey and Milwaukee. Charlotte still lives in Bergen County, NJ where they both grew up.

Charlotte Cushing

Lola is one of Caitlin's best friends and college roommates. She was the person who introduced Caitlin to romance novels (we both liked the Bridgerton family before it was cool) and she also allowed Caitlin to introduce (and inundate) her with everything French. She has also graciously endured 13 years of non-stop Shakira, Taylor Swift, and ramblings about medieval politics. She lives in Chicago with her cat Percy.

Lauren Namovic

While Caitlin and Betsy met Caitlin’s sophomore year at Marquette, they didn’t actually become friends until Labor Day weekend of Caitlin’s junior year when they realized that (evidently) they were the only students who stayed on campus that weekend. One bag of cheese curds and three Swan Princess movies later, Caitlin and Betsy were fast friends. A fellow history major, Betsy and Caitlin bonded over their shared love of dead people. In fact, this picture was taken during the most Caitlin and Betsy outing ever: June 18, 2016, when they visited Waterloo, Belgium on the anniversary of Napoleon's defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. They thoroughly enjoyed their four-hour battlefield tour. Betsy lives in Madison, WI with her husband Dylan and their puptje Diertje.

Betsy Wyns

The first day of Grad School, Caitlin told her new friend Eliza that, for the rest of their relationship, she was going to sing her name like in Hamilton. It got old after about two days, but their friendship did not. Currently they are roommates and best friends who commiserate over teenagers not being able to spell or capitalize the proper noun "I". They also share an interest in the British Monarchy and count the Her Majesty the Queen as their shared idol (Eliza also does a spot on Queen impersonation). Eliza is also currently training to be a priest in the Episcopal Church (Caitlin is very excited to personally know a woman of the cloth).

Eliza Brinkley

Patrick has known Jon ever since lower school when they were assigned to interview each other for a third grade project. Jon is a great basketball player with a silky smooth jump shot, and can drain 3's from any spot on the court. But he traded in his sneakers for political science cleats. He's a one of a kind Political Scientist of Latin American politics. We have great memories together everywhere from Fort Myers, FL to Philadelphia, PA. I'm honored to have him as my best man. 

Jon Rosen

Not to be confused with Michael Cushing, Michael Kushner has a large fluffy Goldendoodle and two small children.  We sent him a "Frozen" recorder as a Hanukkah gift for his daughter Lily because research shows that's how musical talent starts. Michael is also in possession of one stuffed Tardigrade, which can live in extreme climates, even in outer space. Once in high school I accidently ran over his foot with my car, but the fact he's still talking to me after all these years is a testament to good friendship.  I'm honored to have him as my best man. 

Michael Kushner

A connoisseur of fine wines and cheeses, Andrew (HB) likes the finer things in life. He's a French sommelier and can  tell the difference between hints of sweet citrus flavor in a Chardonnay and lemon and pear in a well-aged Pinot. He's also caught the travel bug. This photo was taken in Paris, France on a romantic getaway just outside the Eiffel Tower. When he's not wine tasting in Napa, he lives with his wife Kaitlin (with a K) and dog Norbert in the great state of Wisconsin. They have a UW garden gnome that brings the football team good luck. 


Andrew Hoyer-Booth

Not to be confused with Michael Kushner, Michael Cushing is Caitlin's younger brother. Like Charlotte, Michael spent much of his youth avoiding Caitlin's unsolicited history facts and Harry Potter-related minutiae. A whisky aficionado, Michael lives in Cincinnati, OH, where he proudly roots for his alma mater, Xavier.

Michael Cushing

Naval Captain. Harvard Grad. TED Speaker. Youngman is a one of a kind asset to the wedding festivities and getting the party started. After spending years abroad circumnavigating the Pacific, he's now settled in DC with his wife Lauren and two small dogs. His TED speech, "Saving the Amazon River Dolphins: the time for action is now" has more than 4 million views on YouTube. He's a trusted adviser on marine-related questions and loves talking about Amazon River dolphins ecology, mating patterns, and habitat. 

Caitlin & Patrick

Caitlin & Patrick

C&P

Wedding Day

2:30 PM–3:30 PM

Ceremony

6:00 PM–11:00 PM

Reception