Countryside Bible Church

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Harvest Hall

After Party

Our Wedding

Soooo.... we don't know when we met however we did meet at Harmony Hill. Here we have to pause and explain Harmony Hill a bit. It is a camp that meets in June nearby in Azle Texas. Its a camp that is focused on teaching Primitive Baptist young people how to read, sing, and lead acappella hymns. While Chelsea has never been a part of the deonomination as a teen she went to a church whose pastor had been Primitive Baptist and so the opportunity for these two to meet is met. What is important is that they did meet and became friends along with many of the people in the wedding party. Jesse and Chelsea would see eachother most years during camp in June and eventually also became Facebook friends in the early days when you really interacted with your friends over silly things like what you had for dinner or what movie you were watching. There was a moment when Chelsea and Jesse thought they might be more than just friends about nine years ago but both of them needed to bake a little more. They continued to be friends and occasionally see eachother at camp or random church meetings out in west Texas. Then in 2023 they both came to Harmony Hill and several of their friends sprung into action were encouraging each of them individually that maybe they ought to reconsider trying this thing again. (Thanks y'all!) They recconected and visited a lot that week and Jesse sent the first text they had exchanged in many a year which of course was about coffee he had made. They left camp as friends. Friends who continued to text every day. Then near the end of August of that month Jesse went out to west Texas to visit his family. That weekend also was a Sacred Harp singing at his parent's church. Chelsea had been planning on going to the singing since it had been announced. After the singing Chelsea volunteered to take Jesse to the airport and that is when Jesse asked if they might consider dating again and here we are.

Our Story

Photos

Ellen and Chelsea met at Harmony Hill after Chelsea's mom Becki realized she didn't have many friends who still came to Harmony Hill (the camp where Chelsea and Jesse met) and Becki asked Ellen and a few other girls go and talk to Chelsea who was terribly shy. What a friendship it has become! Ellen and Chelsea have become fast friends over the years sharing many a curry, pot of coffee, and conversations. Jesse proposed to Chelsea at Ellen's house in January. Chelsea and Ellen recently went to England together and came home with nearly 80 books between the pair of them. 

Ellen Ritchie

Mary is Chelsea's sister-in-law and her very first sister since Chelsea only has brothers. What an amazing addition to the family Mary has been. Mary and Michael have two of the cutest twin girls this side of the Mississippi who will also play a part of the wedding. It has been so nice to have gained both a sister and a great friend when Mary joined the family. 

Mary Miller

Elisabeth is another friendship formed at Harmony Hill! One of Chelsea's biggest regrets is that while we had gone to camp together for years Elisabeth and her didn't really connect until the last few years. Elisabeth is one of those people who is full of wisdom and has such a gift of making you feel seen and cared for. Elisabeth is always game for a hot cup of coffee or tea and a conversation about what is really going on in her people's life. 

Elisabeth Collier

Emma and Chelsea connected in Countryside Bible Church's singles ministry (One28) band where Chelsea sang and Emma played bass. Emma is bold and renowend for her amazing taste in vintage fashion and pefume. Emma and Chelsea love to have a no-holds-bard conversations over coffee (Emma loves iced lattes and Chelsea generally goes with a hot latte). 

Emma Parkes

Hannah and Chelsea are newer friends because they only met after Jesse and Chelsea started dating. Hannah was such a dear and let Chelsea come and stay with her most of the trips out to Alabama over the last nearly two years. If you ever want a bespoke bougie breakfast sandwich or a late night conversation about literature, social movements, or just about any other area of life and culture she's your girl! It has been nice to have made a friend that not only lives in the town Chelsea is moving to but also goes to the church where Jesse and Chelsea will go. 

Hannah Thomas

One of Chelsea and Jesse's singing-school friends going way back, he and Jesse have become much closer friends in the past few years. And he's now married to one of Jesse's childhood West Texas friends, Rachel, which makes him even cooler! 

Newly married himself (Feb. 2024), he's become a model to Jesse about how to settle into becoming a good husband.

Dalton Green

Jesse's go-to Reformed Baptist theologian and now practically his next-door neighbor. He's an all-around great guy, good for an evening hangout or a day hike (and an occasional spelunking). 

Sean Smith

One of Jesse's first Huntsville friends (their offices at work were across from each other), Patrick has become one of Jesse's most steadfast friends, always up for a hike or an evening out and one of the organizers of the local book club (Aristotle after Dark) that they started together with friends (and that Chelsea's now a part of). He's also got a seemingly encyclopedic knowledge of Thomistic philosophy and theology that makes him a ready partner in any discussion.

Patrick Eads

Another of Chelsea and Jesse's singing-school friends from way back, Stephen's an all-around good one, but most especially for firm opinions and excellent cocktails. If you want to get him talking, mention something about Italy, any European war, his wife Elsie, or his children.

Stephen Dalton

Arman and Jesse met at Jesse's second job in Huntsville, which had the two of them cooped up in a windowless office space in the iconic(ally bad) Building 5400 on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville. Having formed a lot of their friendship over long walks (to escape the windowless lab) talking about online games, the state of their professional careers, politics, religion, etc., long walks continue to form a lot of their friendship time.

Arman Jahandarfard

Wedding Party

Q + A

Airport

While there are two major airports in the metroplex, we highly reccomend flying in and out of DFW which is less than 20 minutes away from the venue.While you are at the DFW airport, I highly recommend grabbing a coffee from Ampersand (terminal C) or Brewed (terminal D). - Chelsea

Stay

There are several hotel option really close to the venue. These are some of the local hotels Chelsea recommends.

<a href="https://www.ihg.com/redirect?path=rates&amp;brandCode=HI&amp;localeCode=en&amp;regionCode=1&amp;hotelCode=DFWTC&amp;checkInDate=28&amp;checkInMonthYear=072025&amp;checkOutDate=31&amp;checkOutMonthYear=072025&amp;_PMID=99801505&amp;GPC=MLW&amp;cn=no&amp;adjustMonth=false&amp;showApp=true&amp;monthIndex=00" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Here is a link</a> for a discounted rate for those coming in for the wedding.

Holiday Inn Trophy Club by IHG

Hampton Inn & Suites Trophy Club - Fort Worth North

Aloft Trophy Club Westlake

Delta Hotels Dallas Southlake

Travel

While you are in the DFW area and since the wedding is on a holiday weekend, here are a few suggestions for you to tack on to your visit to North Texas. Since Jesse's an engineer and likes things like lists and BLUFs, here's the summary (but scroll down for their reasons for these selections and tips on planning your time): CowtownStockyardsJohn Wayne ExperienceLeddy'sJoe T. Garcia and Esperanza'sBilly Bobs Art museumsThe KimbellThe ModernThe Amon Carter Other attractions in Fort WorthFort Worth Museum of Science and HistoryFort Worth ZooFort Worth Botanic GardensMontgomery Antique MallDocs RecordsBarbers Bookstore Food and Coffee in Fort WorthAmpersand (coffee)Cherry (coffee)Sons of Liberty (coffee)Maestro (tacos)Sons of Liberty (draft coffee)Heim (bacon burnt ends)Cane Rosso (pizza)Melt (ice cream)Ol'South Pancake House WacoCzech Stop (just north of Waco)Magnolia experience (including breakfast at Magnolia Table)Lunch/Supper Spots:--Health Camp--Vitek'sCoffee--Common Grounds--Fabled BookshopAntique Stores--LaSalle--Gather--Spice VillageMuseums--Dr Pepper Museum--Texas Ranger Hall of Fame--Cameron Park

Be a Cowboy in Fort Worth

About 30 minutes south of the wedding venue are the famous stockyards of Fort Worth also known as Cowtown. There are so many things to do and see in this area.Chelsea highly recommends walking around the stockyard itself (maybe catching a cattle drive, which happens twice daily at 11:30am and 4pm) or the rodeo at <a href="https://www.cowtowncoliseum.com/events-tickets/?bounds=false&amp;view=list&amp;sort=date&amp;filter_daterange%5Bstart%5D=2025-08-29&amp;filter_daterange%5Bend%5D=2025-08-29" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">7:30 on Friday</a>. Chelsea still has it on her bucket list to go to the <a href="https://www.johnwayneae.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">John Wayne Experience</a>. Do take the opportunity to go to the back room of <a href="https://www.leddys.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Leddy's</a> while you're in Cowtown to see the art of custom boot making. Cowtown itself has a lot of amazing places to eat, but just outside Cowtown is the iconic <a href="https://www.joetgarcias.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Joe T. Garcia.</a> There will probably be a line, but once you're seated, you will be surrounded by an oasis in the midst of the city. (There is a sister restaurant <a href="https://www.esperanzasfw.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Esperanza's</a> with an amazing bakery attached that Chelsea frequents.) And for a real Texas experience to top off an evening there is always <a href="https://billybobstexas.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Billy Bobs </a>, the World's Largest Honky Tonk. Jason Boland is coming on Friday before the wedding if you want to get tickets.

Admire some Art in Fort Worth

Those of you who know Chelsea or have followed her on Instagram for any amount of time will know that when she has a free Saturday this is often where she finds herself. Fort Worth is home to several amazing art museums. Did you know that we have Michelangelo's first known painting? Crazy. Museums<a href="https://kimbellart.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kimbell Art Museum</a> - Chelsea is a member here, and the number of hours she has spent wandering the galleries and attending lectures is vast. The permanent collection is amazing. The current special exhibit features works from the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin called Modern Art and Politics in Germany. It's not Chelsea's favorite exhibit but very thought-provoking. If you text Jesse or Chelsea with a selfie of you in front of <a href="https://kimbellart.org/collection/ap-199601" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Woman Addressing the Public</a> you will get bonus points! Tickets are half price Friday afternoon, and they are closed on Mondays. <a href="https://www.cartermuseum.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Amon Carter Museum of American Art</a> - The Amon Carter is a wonderful introduction to American art and is always free, thanks to how the collection was gifted. It is a nice art museum to take kids to since it has a more relaxed atmosphere and some places for them to play. They are closed on Monday. <a href="https://www.themodern.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Modern</a> - Founded in 1892, the Modern is the oldest museum in Texas. For those who enjoy modern art the architecture of this building is a perfect showcase for some expansive pieces. Tickets are $16 for adults but half price on Sundays and free on Fridays. They are closed on Monday. While you are in the art district Chelsea also loves visiting <a href="http://montgomerystreetantiquemall.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Montgomery Antique Mall</a> and <a href="https://www.docsrecords.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Docs Records</a>. A little out of the way downtown is <a href="https://www.barbersbookstore.com/index.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Barbers Bookstore</a>; the hours are funny, but its an experience. Food and CoffeeAs many of you know, Chelsea loves her coffee and tacos. While in the art district she'll often visit <a href="https://www.ampersandtx.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ampersand </a>(their lounge at night looks legit) across the street from The Modern for coffee and grab birria tacos next door from <a href="https://www.maestrotacos.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maestro</a>. You might be able to score a parking spot around back but otherwise you have to pay to park here. Chelsea is also addicted to the draft coffee from <a href="https://sonscoffee.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Sons of Liberty</a>. About ten minutes away from there, <a href="https://cherry-coffee.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cherry </a>has an amazing cappuccino, and <a href="https://heimbbq.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Heim BBQ</a> next door to Cherry has out-of-this-world bacon burnt ends. If you need a pizza that will change your life there is <a href="https://www.canerosso.com/fort-worth" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cane Rosso</a> just down the street from Cherry. And if you are able to save room for dessert, <a href="https://www.melticecreams.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Melt Ice Cream</a> is dreamy (Cup of Texas and Salt Lick are probably Chelsea's favorites).

FW Museums with the Kiddos

We are glad several of y'all are coming to Texas with the family! While a day at the Stockyards can be fun with the littles, there are also some great museums in Fort Worth. I will say that Chelsea and Jesse would go to any of these too. <a href="https://www.fwmuseum.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fort Worth Museum of Science and History</a> - Chelsea grew up going here, and her grandmother enrolled her and her cousins in the school for a few summers. They have done some major renovations, so it's not quite the museum she grew up in but it's still a lot of fun. The hours she spent digging up dinosaur bones in the Texas sun--So. Many. Hours. If you want a great movie experience. their <a href="https://www.fwmuseum.org/explore/omni-theater/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Imax </a>has recently been updated. <a href="https://www.fortworthzoo.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fort Worth Zoo</a> - We know. You and your kids have been to a zoo before. But this one is great! The reptile hall is very well done and is a highlight of every trip to Fort Worth, and Chelsea doesn't even like reptiles generally. They also have a newer experience where you can feed giraffes (their tongues are so cool)! There is also a train, birds you can feed, and a splash pad for the kiddos. <a href="https://fwbg.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fort Worth Botanic Garden </a>- This is a great place to wonder and see the beauty of nature. The Japanese&nbsp;gardens are especially lovely and cool.If you decide to go exploring with the kiddos in Fort Worth, I highly reccomend <a href="https://www.olsouthpancakehouse.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ol' South Pancake House</a> for breakfast. The World Famous German Pancake makes Chelsea want to cry for joy.

Day Trip: Waco

While there are a lot of great places a litte further flung from North Texas, Jesse and Chelsea both agree that Waco is the best for the spots closer by (if you want to go farther afield to, say, San Antonio, Jesse can pretty much plan a bespoke trip for you if you reach out to him--seriously, it's one of his favorite places). Anyway, about Waco... No trip to Waco is complete without a stop on the way down--if not also on the way back--at&nbsp;<a href="https://czech-stop.res-menu.com/menu" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Czech Stop</a>. (Alabama friends have already found it funny how emphatically Jesse recommends that place, and he and Chelsea might go through the stages of grief on your behalf if they find out you were in the area and didn't stop.) It may not look that special from the outside, but it'll change your life. They are famous for their kolaches. Chelsea and Jesse love the Nutella and mixed-berry-with-cream-cheese varieties best, while Jesse puts the pumpkin variety at a solid A tier. Their savory goods (try the klobasniky!) are also fire!&nbsp; If you need to get the full&nbsp;<a href="https://magnolia.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Magnolia</a>&nbsp;experience, M<a href="https://magnolia.com/visit/eat/magnolia-table/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">agnolia Table's</a>&nbsp;breakfast is amazing too though you'll probably want to get a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opentable.com/restref/client/?rid=1027786&amp;restref=1027786&amp;partysize=2&amp;datetime=2024-08-02T13%3A00&amp;lang=en-US&amp;r3uid=tsBTgjPA8u&amp;ot_campaign=Magnolia%20Table%20Landing%20Page&amp;ot_source=Restaurant%20website&amp;color=2&amp;corrid=624f6350-a504-412c-a6f3-935da1f7abc4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">reservation</a>. While you're in Waco we also recommend&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wacohealthcamp.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Health Camp</a>&nbsp;(the name's a tad ironic) if you want a traditional diner experience or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.viteksmarket.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vitek</a>&nbsp;for BBQ. For coffee you gotta go to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.commongroundstx.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Common Grounds</a>. Chelsea recommends the No Bull (feel free to ask Chelsea's mom what she thought the drink was called). Jesse used to drink the 254 before he was a coffee fan. Jesse's conversion to being a fan of coffee has really helped their relationship. ;) Besides the Magnolia experience (which for the record Chelsea enjoys) we also recommend going to some local antique shops like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LaSalleShoppes/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LaSalle</a>. Chelsea wants to visit&nbsp;<a href="https://gatherwaco.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gather</a>&nbsp;the next time she's in Waco, and then there is&nbsp;<a href="https://spicewaco.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Spice Village</a>, which is like walking into Etsy. But Chelsea might actually get angry (which she rarely does...) if you don't swing by&nbsp;<a href="https://fabledbookshop.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fabled Bookshop</a>while you are in Waco. It is such a charming, well-curated bookstore that even has a wardrobe with fur coats for kids to go through to get to the children's section of the bookstore! And yes, they also have a coffee shop. You can also go to the&nbsp;<a href="https://drpeppermuseum.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr. Pepper Museum</a>, even if it's just to go get a Dr. Pepper float, or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.texasranger.org/Home" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame&nbsp;</a>for some history.&nbsp; <a href="https://www.waco-texas.com/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Cameron-Park" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Cameron Park</a>&nbsp;is a wonderful public space and Jacob's Ladder is a fun way to burn off some calories.

Chelsea & Jesse

Chelsea & Jesse

C&J

Wedding Day

Reception