Group Hike

Sedona Golf Resort

Rehearsal Walkthrough

Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock

Welcome Reception

Groomsmen Golfing Party

Bridal Party Get Ready

Hyatt Residence Club Sedona, Piñon Pointe

Gentlemen  Get Ready

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Reception

Dinner Service

Dance Party

Winter

Our Wedding

Everythings Bigger in Texas

2019 We met in Dallas, TX in January 2019. Our first date was at a cute bar on Lower Greenville, which turned into a casual stroll to a restuarant next door for the best hot chocolate of our lives. Our first trip together was to San Antonio, Texas in June of 2019. We visited Natural Bridge Caverns, the Alamo, went on a riverboat cruise at the Riverwalk, and made several trips around the Lazy River at the resort we stayed at. In September 2019, we made the trip up north to Minnesota where we enjoyed a relaxing weekend on the lake, and visited Carlos Creek Winery for some classic Minnescato wine! 2020 Fast forward to January 2020 - our first, and most memorable, trip to Sedona, AZ. On our first hike at the Chapel Hike next to the infamous Chapel of the Holy Cross, Cara stepped on a rock in the exactly wrong way, sending her tumbling. Unable to put any weight on her swelling ankle, Ryan carried Cara the final 0.25 miles of the hike, and quickly ushered her to the emergency room. Fortunately her ankle was just sprained, but the remaining 6 days in Sedona would be spent being creative to find things to do other than hiking! Later in January 2020, our romantic weekend getaway was interrupted when Ryan arrived in San Francisco after a work trip with the Flu Type B. Despite the flu (and pre-covid mask), crutches and boot, we made it to Napa and were able to enjoy a couple of wineries. In February we moved in together in Dallas, and spent the early days of COVID quarantine together. June 2020 saw Ryan moving to Houston for a 3 month job (which lasted 6 months, in the typical Kiewit fashion) and Cara underwent ankle surgery in Dallas for the ankle that would not heal. What they say is true- absence makes the heart grow fonder. The end of 2020 saw the end of the Houston job and notice that we were relocating to Kansas City in March 2021. 2021 In January 2021, for our 2nd anniversary, we travelled back to Sedona for a hopefully less eventful vacation, and plenty more hiking! The trip was a success, and we knew we had found "our place"

Love from the Heart of KC

2021 In March of 2021, we put the majority of our furniture into storage, and packed the rest into a U-Haul and drove the 8+ hours to a small suburb south of Kansas City, Kansas. As Ryan's work slowed down, Cara's work picked up, which meant there was plenty of time for golf and much needed relaxation for Ryan. At the peak of summer, in an effort to try and find something to distract her from work, Cara began training for her first 1/2 marathon. As summer came to a close, and fall came and went, Ryan found himself put on a job in Omaha, Nebraska. In November, 2021, three weeks prior to the Dallas 1/2 marathon that Cara had been training for since July, they packed up their apartment and moved to Omaha, Nebraska.

"The Good Life" in Omaha

The Saturday before Thanksgiving saw Cara and Ryan moving into their apartment in Omaha, Nebraska. Three weeks later, Cara completed her first 1/2 marathon in Dallas, and Ryan was there to cheer her on the entire way! 2022Work picked up for Ryan, as he and Cara settled in to a mild winter in Omaha. As the weather turned warmer, Cara started training for her 2nd 1/2 marathon. Ryan and Cara took every opportunity to enjoy the slower paced life of Nebraska. In Summer, the Texas Aggies came to Omaha for the College World Series of Baseball, and Cara and Ryan went to see them BTHO TU (in game 2). In fall, Cara ran her 2nd half marathon, and her parents, and Ryan's parents came to cheer her on and meet for the first time! Crossing off her mid-west bucket list, Ryan took her to see a Nebraska Cornhuskers football game, and the cutest pumpkin patch (and apple orchard) ever for her birthday. Later in October, Ryan was relocated to Denver, CO, while Cara stayed behind for 6 weeks to pack up the apartment and prepare for the move. On his 1st turnaround the week before Thanksgiving, Ryan returned to Nebraska, with one thing on his mind. The ProposalCara had been putting in 80+ hour weeks, especially with Ryan living in another state, but Ryan knew exactly what she needed. After returning home on Friday, November 18th, that Saturday, Ryan gave Cara one of his infamous letters. But this one was different. The letter simply stated, you've been working long and hard hours, and you deserve a break. You have an appointment at [this address] at 1pm. Take some time off and enjoy the afternoon. In an effort to keep the surprise alive, Cara didn't google the address, but simply followed the instructions blindly. Arriving at a nail salon, she knew something was up. After 2 hours of relaxation, and not a care in the world, Cara drove home. After parking her car, and climbing the stairs to the entry way/living room of their apartment. Cara took her time putting away her sunglasses, and removing the disposable flip flops. As she turned the corner, flip flops in one hand and her phone in the other, she was surprised to see Ryan had set up a proposal display. Ryan popped out from behind the corner, and got down on one knee, and in a flurry of emotion, Cara excitedly said YES! and threw her phone and flip flops aside. After a brief embrace, Ryan exclaimed "what took you so long?!" (in reference to how long it took her to come around the corner after climbing the stairs), to which Cara replied - "what took me so long?! What to YOU so long?!"

All You Need is Love and a Little Time in the Mountains

Three short weeks after the proposal, Cara and Ryan packed up another U-Haul and moved to a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Three days after moving into their apartment, they hopped on a flight to Minneapolis to spend Christmas with Ryan's family. While Winter Storm Elliott didn't cause any issues getting to MN for Christmas, it had other plans for their return to Colorado. Cara and Ryan's return flight was cancelled by Southwest, and no other flights out of MN were available, at a reasonable price. Ryan, being his resourceful self, utilized all his resources, and managed to procure one of the last rental cars in Minneapolis, and so began the 12+ hour car drive to Colorado. 2023In the first month of 2023, Cara and Ryan saw more snowfall in Denver, than they saw their entire year in Omaha. But the snow didn't slow them down. Engaged life looked good on Cara and Ryan, as they enjoyed Colorado Avalanche games, Mammoth (lacrosse) games, and the craft breweries that Colorado is known for. At the end of February, Ryan was notified he was being put on a short term job outside of Reno, Nevada, through the end of August 2023.

Our Story

Photos

Laurie Brown

Paul Bernier

Kat Wilkes

Riley Mix

Rachel Mix

Derek Rajavuori

Chelsea Rajavuori

Wedding Party

Q + A

This hotel is right next door to the Sedona Golf Resort.Cara will be staying here the night of the rehearsal dinner, and Cara and Ryan will be staying the night of the wedding. We plan on hanging out at the hotel bar post reception.

Hotel across the street from The Sedona Golf Resort

Las Posadas of Sedona

Hotel on the other side of the Sedona Golf Resort from the Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock.

Hilton Vacation Club Ridge on Sedona

Cara and Ryan will have a room at this hotel for the week, beginning on Sunday 1/21- checking out Saturday 1/27. The hotel has studio rooms, as well as up to 3 bedroom suites, with a full kitchen.

This hotel is next to the wedding Venue, and more affordable than the Hilton Resort at Bell Rock

Hilton Vacation Club Sedona Summit

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

Semi- Formal

Men Men should wear a dress shirt and slacks, with the option to wear a tie.   Women Women should wear a below-the-knee dress or a dressy skirt and top. An elegant pantsuit is also appropriate. Pair with heels, nice wedges, or formal flats.   IMPORTANT: Please do not wear stilettos or heels which might get stuck in the golf course grass. Any damage caused to the course will resort in a fee imposed onto the Bride and Groom.

Cara & Ryan

Cara & Ryan

Registry