The Thompson House and Gardens

Wedding Day

Fall

Our Wedding

It all started on the evening of June 10, 2023. Daniel was in Athens, Georgia supporting his cousin Sam by being the Best Man in his wedding. After the wedding, Daniel and some of the other groomsmen went downtown to celebrate. Having met other acquaintances, a friend of a friend ended up introducing Daniel to Melina, who just happened to be out with some of her girlfriends. Three hours of conversation later, Daniel and Melina had covered all the topics of small talk and bonded over their love of music and Edgar Allan Poe. The two felt an almost instant connection. Exchanging phone numbers allowed them to keep in touch while Daniel returned home to Knoxville, Tennessee the following day. In accordance with one of their initial talking points, an Edgar Allan Poe speakeasy was the perfect first date for the pair. Daniel and Melina even dressed up in gothic garb to match the occasion. Phenomenal performances, delectable drinks, and captivating company made the evening truly unforgettable. The next day, August 6, 2023, Daniel and Melina officially became a couple. Over the coming months, the two took turns visiting in Knoxville and Athens, never going more than a month without seeing one another. From theme parks and comedy shows to movie nights and reading dates, this pair has found pleasure in any activity, so long as it is done together. Despite Melina's irrational nervousness leading up to meeting Daniel's parents for the first time, meeting the families on both sides went very well. Many family members became acquainted as quickly as one can with families spread all over the country. Seeing as quality family time is important to both Daniel and Melina, the pair has had numerous opportunities to integrate one another into their respective families. Not much time had passed before the couple knew their match had been found. "Daniel's weird matches Melina's weird," as her father pointed out. The two started hatching their grand plan to get married. By this time, Daniel knew Melina well enough to know her fashion reflects her personality. Her engagement ring simply had to be as unique as her. Luckily, Melina already assembled a series of Pinterest screenshots capturing her preferences, while leaving the rest of the design to Daniel’s creativity. After months of Daniel making secret visits to the jeweler, and Melina waiting sweetly and patiently, the two ended their 426 day run as boyfriend and girlfriend when Melina accepted Daniel’s proposal on October 5, 2024. She didn’t say yes. She said, “of course.” Then Daniel slid onto Melina’s ring finger a dark salt and pepper diamond, hex cut and embellished with white pear diamonds set into a white gold cathedral band – measured precisely to her 5 ¾ size. Melina had lent Daniel a well-fitting ring months before to ensure the size would be right from the beginning. She’d told him she knew once the ring was on, she wouldn’t ever want to take it off. Thus began the countdown to their wedding, the day marking the close of their yearning over many miles, and the beginning of their years under one roof. It’s a day they carefully planned to surround themselves with the people they love most, whose support helped nurture the love they continue to grow between each other. If you’re reading this, you’re one of those people, and Melina and Daniel are so grateful to you. Life is so meaningful. It is more than the sum of the experiences that comprise it. Melina and Daniel recognize the Providence of their lives blending so perfectly because each of your lives first blended with theirs. It's for this reason each of them thanks you for your part, big or small, in forming the person they love with all their heart.	 We cannot wait to welcome you on our wedding day. ~ Melina and Daniel

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Bogart, where the wedding is happening, is just outside Athens, Georgia. It's 12 miles from Winder, 16 miles from Monroe and 59 miles from Downtown Atlanta. We have a group rate and reservation block at the Homewood Suites by Hilton in downtown Athens. To reserve over the phone you can call 1-800-Hiltons and reference&nbsp;booking&nbsp;ID&nbsp;"90O" (that's nine, zero, o)&nbsp;or&nbsp;use the booking&nbsp;link&nbsp;below: <a href="https://group.homewood-suites.com/ia1d1y" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://group.homewood-suites.com/ia1d1y</a> The link already has all the codes and dates filled in.&nbsp;You must edit the dates if you only plan to stay one night instead of two. ***If there are no rooms left in our reservation block when you try to book, let us know! We have been able to add rooms based on demand and will do our best to help you!*** Hotel Address:750 East Broad Street, Athens, GA, 30601, US Room info:These rooms are suites with a living area and kitchen area.&nbsp;The sofa is a queen sleeper, so a King room accommodates 4 guests, and a 2 Queen room accommodates 6 guests.&nbsp;The number of 2 Queen rooms is very limited so please be mindful of that. Hotel info:Homewood Suites by Hilton Athens, GA is located adjacent to the UGA campus and the downtown Athens restaurants, bars, and shops. There are both inside and outside areas to congregate.&nbsp;The hotel stay includes breakfast.&nbsp;There is on-site self-parking for $18 per day.&nbsp;

Travel and Lodging

The best record store in the world. Former employer of R.E.M.'s Peter Buck. The recipient of most of Daniel's disposable income during college.

Wuxtry Records

Athens' independent one-screen theatre. They show everything from festival winners to classics.

Ciné

A beautiful place to take walks and enjoy nature. Daniel was best man for his best man at the chapel here the day he met Melina.

The State Botanical Garden of Georgia

A longtime Athens staple and favorite of locals, visitors, and college students. A Cuban and Peruvian fusion. Get a big sandwich and the yuca fries.

Cali N Tito's

Georgia Museum of Art

A small community zoo. Yes, they have those. Daniel lived near it for years during college and never knew this was here until Melina took him. She went here a lot with her family growing up.

Bear Hollow Zoo

A hole in the wall on the north side of downtown Athens. Small, easy to miss, but it's been around a long time for a reason! Daniel went for the first time as a teenager with his dad before a Dawgs game. Melina went for the first time on a date with Daniel.

Dawg Gone Good BBQ

A Lee family favorite for many years, former date spot of Melina's parents, and where Daniel first met Melina's parents over lunch. So basically their food tastes like winning over the parents of your soulmate - pretty great!

Rafferty's Restaurant

The performing arts center for UGA's Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Melina played flute here in multiple performances during high school. Since you're already all dressed up, why not catch a classical music performance?

Daniel & Melina