Elena's Bridal Shower

Lake Hangout

Rehearsal Dinner

The Mansion at Keuka Lake

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Sunday Breakfast

Our Wedding

John and Elena met on September 14, 2022 at work in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. John had just moved to Oahu through the Marine Corps and Elena had moved there a few months earlier through the Air Force. They got to know each other while John was qualifying for his new watch position and Elena was his instructor. Over the course of a few 12-hour shifts, John pretended to love listening to Taylor Swift's then-new album "Midnights" to sit next to and talk to Elena. On their days off, Elena would invite John to go out and do things with her friends as he was new to the island. Though accounts vary, these activities quickly went from group activities to just one on one outings. They have agreed that their first official date was over dinner on November 10, 2022, the Marine Corps Birthday, at Moku Kitchen in Honolulu. After over a year of adventures, John "finally" proposed to Elena on April 6, 2024 at Secret Island near Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii.

Our Story

Photos

Though Brad is John's younger brother by five years he will love to tell you how he's the tallest of the four Britt siblings. Brad's favorite activity is fishing and he is currently getting his Master's in Environmental Science and Ecology from Brockport University in NY. If he's missing for the wedding ceremony he's probably down at the lake with his rod in the water. Though less athletic, Brad is similar to his older brother in many ways and has been his closest friend since the day he was born. Brad's hips do not lie, and he will no doubt be all over the dance floor during the reception and yes ladies, he is single. 

Bradley Britt

Jake and John graduated from Navy together. If you think that mug looks familiar, it's probably because you recognize him from the Naval Academy commercial that has played during every Navy football game for the past seven years. Though he claims he regrets auditioning, he has been known to carry a pen to sign autographs. Jake is a Marine Intelligence Officer who has completed some of the most difficult courses in the Corps. He recently completed a Master's program through the National Intelligence Universtiy in DC. He will be in attendance with his marvelous wife Elyssa. 

Jake Fernandes

Clay is a direct descendant of Merriweather Lewis (of the Lewis and Clark Expedition). Though he hails from the Amish country of Lancaster, PA, Clay has an electric personality that will surely carry the reception to its completion. Like many of the groomsman, John and Clay graduated from Navy together and after basic training, they were roomates at their first duty station in Camp Pendleton, CA. Clay is a Marine Logistics Officer and is completing his Master's in History from the University of Maryland. He will then go on to teach History at the Naval Academy. He will be joined by his lovely fiance Maddie. 

Clay Verkouw

Randy and John graduated from Navy where they completed many summer trainings together and were roommates for two years. Originally from Greenfield, California in the Salinas Valley (“the salad bowl of the world”), Randy is one of the most dedicated and hard working people I know. Randy was a Marine Infantry Officer for 5 years before separating from active duty at the end of 2023. He is now a project manager for a private construction company in Los Angeles where he currently lives. Randy completed an MBA from LSU last year and is likely entering the Marine Corps Reserves in the summer of 2024. 

Randy Sosa

John and Elias served together while they were both assigned to the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines Scout Sniper Platoon in Camp Pendleton, CA. Though it often seemed like Elias was always trying to get John in hot water with the boss, Elias still one of the best Marines John has ever served. After leaving California, Elias and John were both assigned to units in Hawaii. When he's not dressing up as Disney princes, Elias is a platoon sergeant in 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii. He'll be in attendance with his lovely wife Jena and our favorite toddler, Jayden. 

Elias Bermudez

Joe and John graduated from Navy together where they were roommates for their junior and senior years. They also sailed across the Pacific together during a summer training their sophomore year and cut their international traveling teeth while wandering about the bustling streets of Hong Kong. Joe is a Naval Flight Officer for the P-8 Poseidon and was recently reassigned to work back at the Naval Academy in Annapolis. Joe is as honest, genuine and true of a friend as anyone could find. He is originally from Mount Airy, Maryland and comes from a storied line of Naval Academy graduates. 

Joe Mullen

Magdalena and Elena have been best friends since middle school. Both were the new kids in Coronado where the two were neighbors. Elena quickly became a staple at the Chaparro household staying over for movie nights and having discovered the magic that is Peruvian food. Magdalena is very passionate about cooking and inherited her mother’s talent of being an excellent cook. She is one of the most calm, kind and good natured people we know and she is currently studying to be a registered nurse. Magdalena is like a sister to Elena and the yin to her yang. These traits have earned her the role of Maid of Honor and crisis manager during the wedding. Her exceptional dancing skills will absolutely be on display all over the dance floor! 

Magdalena Chaparro

Vita and Elena met on the rough-and-tumble playgrounds of Lafayette Elementary School where they spent many afternoons hunting roly-polies in the school garden. Life brought them back together as thriving twenty-year-olds living in Hawaii. Vita is an avid surfer, yogi, and traveler, fluent in four languages. She works in the tech industry but moonlights as a proposal planner and professional charcuterie maker, playing a critical role in John’s proposal planning. As a former collegiate water skier at UCLA, Vita will be leading the charge for aquatic activities on Keuka Lake. She will be joined by her multi-talented boyfriend Jared.

Vita Moskal

Shannon is the youngest and the most talkative of the Britt siblings. You’ll see. Shannon just finished her sophomore year at Grove City College and is pursuing a degree in Communications. To further her degree, Shannon has worked the last three summers at the Dale Association (a local senior citizen group) where she has a daily captive audience of seniors that can’t hear what she’s saying. As the youngest, Shannon quickly learned how to assert herself and get what she wanted. She is not known for her compassion but those closest to her know that there is a loving sister behind all that sarcasm. She is one of the funniest people we know and sharp, witty jokes are her uncontrollable reflex and love language. Shannon’s true loves are all forms of chocolate, tennis and early 2000s hard rap. If the DJ plays “Ice Ice Baby” by Vanilla Ice, prepare to be entertained.

Shannon Britt

Maria is Magdalena’s older sister. She and Elena became quick friends because as previously mentioned, Elena would homestead in the room Maria and Maggie shared. Early in their friendship, Maria ran a gauntlet of tests to see if Elena could be a true friend. Tests included riding a bike (passed with help from Maggie), riding the scariest ride at Six Flags 10x in a row (passed), and beating Maria in Monopoly (failed). Despite not overcoming Maria’s dominance on Broadway St and Park Ave, the two are the best of friends. Maria has been present at all of Elena’s major milestones from first dates to college graduation. Maria is an extremely talented artist most famous for her drawings and mosaic work still featured at Coronado High School. In her free time she teaches middle school math at O’Farrell Charter school in San Diego where she is the reigning pep-rally dance-off champion. She will be leading couples out to the dancefloor with her groovy boyfriend Matthew. 

Maria Paz Chaparro

Tess and Elena have been best friends since freshman year of high school. Tess has always been a confidant to get through tough classes, even tougher high school break-ups and the toughest of all... abiding by English grammar rules. Since high school, the two have adventured in Yosemite, Colorado, Wales, Ye Ol' England, Switzerland, Paris, and Italy. Tess has a BA in Classics from UCSD making her the perfect travel buddy through Europe. As a real-life Princess Belle, Tess will be joined by her charming husband Ryan and their regal German Shepard Ruby.

Tess Ziegler

Kaela and Elena met working on the USINDOPACOM watch floor. She got to know both Elena and John in the early stages of their relationship as she shared 12 hour shifts with the two listening to Taylor Swift. As the months turned into years Kaela and Elena continued to trauma bond over their challenging jobs and Kaela became a go-to friend for exploring Hawaii, providing sound financial advice, and unbound sarcasm. Kaela was integral to many key events from first dates to proposal planning help for John. She will be in attendance with her sleazy yet loving husband Randy.

Kaela Bennet

Wedding Party

Q + A

Airports

Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (1hr) is the closest to the event venue, however you may find cheaper flights into Rochester International Airport (1hr 10min) or Buffalo International Airport (1hr 58min).

Transportation

Rental cars are a must! Other forms of transportation like ubers, taxis or public transit are pretty non-existent. You may even get lucky and see a horse and buggy driving by on these Amish country roads.

The Inn is on the same property (across the parking lot) as the ceremony and reception. There are 21 rooms in the Inn and the website is below. There is a room block under our last name. After the reception, everyone is welcome to stay for a quiet after party by the firepit.

The Best Western is in Penn Yan which is located 10 mins north of the venue. The hotel block is reserved under our last names. There is a two night minimum stay requirement and the rate is $260/ night. If you plan to stay here please book here by 16 July or the room block will be released to the public.

Best Western Plus Vineyard Inn & Suites

Entire home located 5 mins from the venue.8 guests · 3 bedrooms · 9 beds · 1 bath. $349/ night

Airbnb: Cottage on Keuka Lake

Entire bungalow in Keuka Park, New York. 5 mins from the venue site. 8 guests · 3 bedrooms · 6 beds · 1.5 baths. $499/ night

Airbnb: Bungalow in Keuka Park

Entire home in Penn Yan, New York that over looks the lake. Located 5 mins from the venue. 6 guests · 3 bedrooms · 3 beds · 2 baths. $450/ night.

Airbnb: House Overlooking Keuka Lake

Cabin in Keuka Park, NY located 8 mins from the venue.2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, Sleeps 8. $218/night

Vrbo: Cabin Overlooking Keuka Lake

Entire cottage in Keuka Park, New York. Located 5 mins from the venue. 4 guests · 1 bedroom · 3 beds · 1 bath. $367/ night.

Airbnb: Cottage in Keuka Park

This Airbnb is 7 mins from the venue.8 guests · 3 bedrooms · 5 beds · 2.5 baths. $550/&nbsp;night

Airbnb: House on Keuka Lake

Located 5 mins away from the venue.2 guests · 1 bedroom · 2 beds · 1 bath. $130/ night

Airbnb: Guest House Overlooking Keuka Lake

Entire home in Penn Yan, New York located 4 mins from the venue. 4 guests · 2 bedrooms · 3 beds · 2 baths. $125/ night.

Airbnb: Home in Penn Yan

Travel

Join us on Friday, August 15th at the Keuka Lake State Park for a day on the lake! We've reserved a lake side pavillion to enjoy some drinks, food and yard games. We've also rented a pontoon boat for the day to fish in the morning and to cruise the lake, tube and water ski in the afternoon. All are welcome!

Boating on Keuka Lake

Located across the street from the venue. The State Park offers fishing, swimming, water skiing or just relaxing by the lake.

Keuka Lake State Park

There are some many wineries and microbrewries in the Finger Lakes. Many are within 30 minutes of the venue.

Wine Country

Located 20 mins from the venue, the Windmill Farm &amp; Craft Market is nestled in the rolling hills of Upstate New York bordered by Keuka and Seneca Lakes. The scenic surroundings are&nbsp;almost&nbsp;unimaginable. The Windmill is host to over 175 indoor and outdoor shops filled with hand crafted items: local food, shops, and crafts to name a few. You will discover great food, fresh produce, flowers, custom cabinetry, furniture, fashion, local wineries, artistry, gifts, micro brews, entertainment, and so much more. The Windmill offers many onsite dining options from full restaurants to unending snack options.

The Windmill Farm & Craft Market

The museum is located 30 mins away from the venue on a beautiful drive along Keuka Lake. The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, bearing the name of pioneer aviator and Hammondsport’s favorite son, is located on State Route 54, one half mile south of the village of Hammondsport, New York. Dedicated to the memory of Glenn Hammond Curtiss, the museum contains a priceless collection relating to early aviation and regional history. The museum also features a 75-seat theater, large open area for special events and a museum store. In addition to seeing the museum displays and exhibits, visitors are welcome to visit the Restoration Shop, talk with volunteer craftsman and watch them work on historic aircraft.

Glenn H Curtiss Museum

50-acres of outdoor serenity located 35 mins away from the venue. The estate is one of two public gardens in the New York State Parks System. Guests can visit the 40-room mansion's many staterooms including the Great Hall, billiard and trophy rooms, library, dining room and upstairs bedrooms. While the mansion is a grand work of architecture, it's the park's gardens that make the site a serene trip. Guests can walk around nine gardens, each of which has as a specific theme.

Sonnenberg Gardens & Mansion State Historic Park

Located 40 mins from the venue, Watkins Glen State Park is a beautiful park for a walk or picnic. One of the most popular state parks within the region, Watkins Glen is known for its 19 waterfalls and picturesque trails, especially the Gorge Trail.

Watkins Glen State Park

Located an hour away from the venue, the museum is a must see. The Corning Museum of Glass offers one of the world's best collections of art and historical glass. The museum's Innovation Center focuses on the science of glass, featuring hands-on exhibits and live glassmaking demonstrations. Visitors can also take a beginner's glassmaking class.&nbsp;The Museum's campus is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, the world’s foremost library on glass, and one of the top glassworking schools in the world.

Corning Museum of Glass

Watkins Glen International is located 45 mins from the venue. Nicknamed "The Glen", it is an automobile race track located just southwest of the village of Watkins Glen, New York, at the southern tip of Seneca Lake. The Glen hosts various races, festivals and events but the 2025 schedule has not been released yet.

Watkins Glen International

Letchworth State Park is located one hour from the venue. It is renowned as the "Grand Canyon of the East," is one of the most scenically magnificent areas in the eastern U.S. The Genesee River roars through the gorge over three major waterfalls between cliffs--as high as 600 feet in some places--surrounded by lush forests. Hikers can choose among 66 miles of hiking trails. Trails are also available for horseback riding, biking, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing. Letchworth offers nature, history and performing arts programs, guided walks, tours, a summer lecture series,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.adventure-calls.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">whitewater rafting</a>, kayaking,&nbsp;a pool for swimming and&nbsp;hot air ballooning.

Letchworth State Park

Seneca Falls is located 50 mins from the venue and is known as the "birthplace of women's rights." It was in this New York town where the first women's rights convention was held in the United States in July 1848. The purpose of the Seneca Falls Convention – as the meeting was known – was to discuss the "social, civil and religious condition and rights of woman."&nbsp;

Women's Rights National Historical Park

Located one hour from the venue. The waterfall at Taughannock Falls State Park is one of New York's most spectacular natural sights, descending more than 200 feet over 400-foot-tall rocky cliffs above the gorge. It is the tallest free-falling waterfall east of the Mississippi. Trails offer stunning views from above the falls and campsites and cabins line the sparkling Cayuga Lake, which also offers a marina and a beach.

Taughannock Falls State Park

Located in Rochester (one hour from the venue), this facility is the world's oldest museum of photography and one of the oldest film archives. It is housed within the former estate of George Eastman, a photography and film pioneer. The National Historic Landmark pays homage to the history of photography and motion picture film, offering both permanent and temporary exhibits, an extensive library and a 500-seat theater, which shows more than 300 films each year. Past exhibitions have covered the relationship between photography and our national parks and the history of space photography.

George Eastman Museum

The museum is located in downtown Rochester (one hour from the venue) and has something for kids of any age. From "Sesame Street," board games, dolls and books to the latest electronic games, the museum is home to the world's most comprehensive toy collection. Interactive exhibits include a replica Wegmans grocery store where kids can shop and use a cash register and an area devoted to the history of vehicles, from trucks and trains to planes and boats. There are also rotating exhibits that have featured everything from women who shaped the gaming industry to toys of the 1990s. Many recent visitors, as well as local residents, call this interactive facility a "gem" and a great place to take kids and grandkids, saying it's particularly well-suited for children ages 2 to 10.

The Strong National Museum of Play

Located 70 mins from the venue, visitors can explore Tubman's life after her contributions during slavery and the Civil War. Tubman purchased her home from U.S. Sen. William H. Seward in 1859. It would later have to be rebuilt in the 1880s after a fire destroyed the building. Visitors can see the two-story brick house complete with an attic built on the rubble stone foundation of the original house.

Elena & John

Elena & John

Q + A

Which airport should we fly into?

Where should we stay?

When should we book rooms?

Will there be events the days prior to the wedding ceremony?