Airbnb

The Night Before

Red Butte Garden & Arboretum

Wedding Ceremony & Reception

Wedding Night Celebration

Jordanelle Rentals & Marina

Pontoon Boating on Jordanelle Reservoir

Homestead Crater

Homestead Crater Hot Spring

Le Depot Brasserie

Dinner/ Park City Main Street Festivities

Our Wedding

The First Date, His Version It all started with a swipe — aimless, casual, and completely unexpected. Pretty sure I wasn’t looking for love, but I couldn’t help but notice her photo with a cute dog, they both caught my eye. I quickly asked her out and planned the date well in advance — which knowing what she knows now, she claims is a surprise.We met at Fly Bar later in the evening. I showed up on time — which, according to Em now, is a rare occurance. I immediately hit her with the mushroom joke to kick off the evening- if you know, you know. I chose the Fly Bar because it was close to Em’s place, making it easy for her to join. She still almost bailed on me that night, but fate had other plans. Luckily, she didn’t, and now she’s stuck with me! We shared a few drinks — surprisingly, Emily downed twice as many as I did with four mojitos. We had the basic chit chat, and after a few drinks I got her to open up about her work. Man, I should have listened when she said she didn't want to talk about it. Boy, was that a barrel of monkeys that I quickly realized I didn't want to play with. Let's just say, she was passionate about being overworked in a clinic.Oh, and also come to find out, she was hungry that evening and expecting snacks, but too afraid to place an order. Knowing what I know now, she's always hungry for SNACKSSS. Guess she made up for it with the multiple mojitos.At that point, she was white girl buzzed. She was one mojito away from never hearing from me again. Time to wrap things up, we've been there for a while, and although I didn't know she was hungry, I knew she couldn't have another drink. So, being the gentleman that I am (blame my mother for that) I offered and suggested giving her a ride home, knowing thankfully it wasn't too far out of my way. It was clear that she was on the fence, get in this creep's car, a creepy Uber, or a long walk home. As I dropped her off at the front of the building, she knew she made the right choice. I didn't even try to invite myself in, she had one too many drinks and I had an early morning.After I got home, I sent a curiosity text to ensure she was alive and well. Come to find out, she was eating black bean pasta at 2am. Who the heck eats black bean pasta any time, weirdo. It was undoubtedly plain with maybe some olive oil and Parmesan, given her cooking skills.The following day, I had an early morning ride with some friends. We chatted about the date with homegirl I had the night before. Talking it over with the bros made me realize, I had a good time and she appeared to be legit, at least on the surface.With that said, I figured what the heck, I’ll invite her to sushi to gauge her interest. Well, that was a given, she quickly confirmed knowing food was involved and the rest is history. Written like a true love story, or a Taylor Swift song…The First Date, Her VersionIt was January 2021, Russell and I had matched about two weeks prior on Hinge (only due to both of us having pictures of us holding dogs that weren't ours and me having Covid, I didn't use the app much but what else was there to do when you're quarantined?)About a week in advance, Russell asked me if I wanted to meet up for a date on a Friday night. I thought that was strange to make a reservation and plan a date that far in advance with someone you've only matched online with but appreciated the effort and agreed.That Friday came and the only thing I wanted to do was binge Netflix and eat my weight in Ben &amp; Jerry's ice cream. With twenty minutes until we were supposed to meet, I decided if he can make the effort to make a reservation a week in advance and drive from St. Pete, then the least I could do is get off the couch and show up, a mojito sounded good anyway.I get there and he's PROMPT (something I haven't seen since), waiting outside for me to pull up. We go inside, sit down, I order a mojito and he orders a Tito's soda. Three hours later and I've proceeded to vent about work (a lot), tell him his hand tattoo looks like it resembles Gary, Indiana rather than South Haven, Michigan and drink four mojitos. We also discovered that neither of us actually had a dog.I was under the impression this date would be a one mojito scenario then I could go back home to my Ben &amp; Jerry's, but Russell talks a lot and so do I after four drinks so the conversation flowed and time flew by. At some point, Russell mentioned that I couldn't drive home. He wasn't wrong, I definitely couldn't and it was too far to walk. My options were a smelly Uber, a sketchy scooter or this guy who had two drinks compared to my four so I reluctantly accepted his offer.He gave me a kiss on the cheek and I essentially ran out of the car to make my black bean pasta fully aware of and accepting that there's a really good chance he won't want to see me again given the fact that I didn't hesitate to rack up his tab with cocktails and vent to him about my work issues but it made for an evening of good conversation.To my surprise he texted me after he got home asking how my pasta was and if I was okay. I woke up the next morning with my face down in the pillow, a headache that hurt so bad I couldn't even open my eyes and another text asking if I wanted to get sushi that evening. I had absolutely no idea why he wanted to hangout with me again, but was glad he did and said yes to sushi.It's Been an Adventure Since Day One01.15.21 First date, Fly Bar, Tampa01.16.21 Second date, sushi at The Lure in St. Pete02.14.21 Russell pulled out all the stops for Valentine's Day; Chihuly museum, bike ride, a dozen roses, dinner for 2 &amp; he asked to be official03.17.21 Our first trip together- Tulum, Mexico to celebrate Emily's 28th birthday04.11.21 Phoenix trip where Emily met John &amp; Russell met Jim &amp; Sherry for the first time. Russell got his first taste of hiking &amp; quickly learned the importance of hiking in dry socks04.23.21 Louisville Kentucky trip where Russell, Jim &amp; Sherry spectated the Kentucky Derby 1/2 marathon followed up by a couple of days in Charleston where Russell met Katie &amp; Jess for the first time08.15.21 Conifer Colorado, a quick weekend trip for a family wedding with Jim, Sherry &amp; Lois09.24.21 Charleston &amp; Ohio roadtrip where Russell met most of the extended family &amp; friends10.22.21 Asheville for Russell's 36th birthday (we crashed a lawyer conference with with "Mike" &amp; "Linda's name tags)11.21.21 St. Augustine, Florida weekend trip to see Christmas lights12.24.21 Russell's first Christmas in Ohio, where the BB gun at the Christmas Story house gave him Covid03.17.22 Miami trip for Emily's 29th birthday with Jon04.24.22 Nashville with Jim &amp; Sherry for the Nashville full marathon06.01.22 Officially moved in together06.12.22 Yosemite, Napa Valley, Tahoe and Kings Canyon two week trip with Jim &amp; Sherry "Hey uhh Sher, did you uh put pepper on the eggs?" -Russell10.03.22 Ohio for Friendsgiving &amp; fall weather10.31.22 Emily FINALLY convinces Russell that dressing up for Halloween as Russell &amp; Kevin from UP is nonnegotiable01.21.23 Breckenridge, Colorado ski trip to celebrate Jon's birthday03.12.23 Rome, Amalfi Coast, Florence with Jim &amp; Sherry to celebrate Emily's 30th birthday04.06.23 Bimini Island, Bahamas yacht trip with Jon, Val, Kyle &amp; Danny08.14.23 Mackinaw Island, Marquette &amp; Traverse City, Michigan to celebrate Erin &amp; David's wedding07.23.23 We hit the road for a 14 month nomad excursion that included Asheville NC, Salt Lake City UT, Phoenix AZ, Bentonville AR &amp; San Antonio TX. We spent 6-8 weeks in each location but ultimately fell in love with Utah10.23.23 Park City for Russell's 37th birthday11.23.23 Zion Thanksgiving trip "This is my favorite hike ever because of the oh sh*t factor" -Russell12.20.23 Ohio Christmas trip02.07.24 Breckenridge, Colorado ski trip to celebrate Jon's birthday03.17.24 Austin &amp; Waco Texas trip for Emily's 31st birthday07.15.24 Miami trip with Jon for lobster hunting08.25.24 Hocking hills camping trip09.08.24 Buffalo, New York visit with Erin &amp; David06.01.24-09.22.24 Spent the summer with family &amp; friends in Ohio, Michigan &amp; Florida9.22.24 Moved to Bluffdale, Utah10.18.24 Vancouver, Washington for Russell's 38th birthday12.18.24 Ohio &amp; Florida for Christmas as well as Michigan for Dom &amp; Sarah's wedding03.14.25 Big Sur, San Francisco, Carmel by the Sea, Santa Cruz for Emily's 32nd birthday04.10.25 Cabo, Mexico for Hunter &amp; Paulina's wedding05.21.25 Seattle, Bellingham, Washington &amp; Vancouver, British Columbia07.20.25 ENGAGEMENT DAY at Rheinstein Castle, Germany07.22.25 Amsterdam07.25.25 Paris07.27.25 London07.29.25 Ohio for baby Cohen's baptism &amp; Grandma's 92nd birthday12.04.25 Riverside, California for a long weekend12.19.25 Closed on our first house in Ohio12.20.25 ENGAGEMENT PARTY DAY

What'd the male mushroom say to the female mushroom? Hi, My name's Russell and I'm a fungi

Our Story

Photos

"She's simply the best day one anyone could ever ask for. Love her to pieces forever & always" -Emily

Tayler Pilmore

"He's a standup, handsome guy. I'm proud of him & love him" -Russell 

John Giganti

Wedding Party

Q + A

Dress Code

This option is the closest to our Airbnb, the wedding venue, and Jordanelle reservoir. It offers quick and easy highway access and is conveniently near grocery stores and restaurants.

AC Hotel Park City

The Hyatt is located just outside Canyons Village and within walking distance of Park City Gardens for the best cutie coffee. Along with other hotels in Canyons Village, it offers the most central location for all of the weekend’s events.

Hyatt Place Park City

This upscale option is located within Canyons Village and features a rooftop pool and bar, as well as an on-site spa. Several other hotels in Canyons Village also offer upscale accommodations and a convenient, central location for the weekend’s festivities.

Pendry Park City

There's a plethera of great Airbnb options in and around Park City/Canyons Village area—especially in the summer!

Travel

The olympic park offers a free museum that highlights the history of the winter olympics as well as the olympic games held in Park City in 2002 (allow ~30-45 minutes). You can also view skiers practicing on the freestyle aerial pool on occasion. Other activities include ziplining, hiking/biking trails nearby, ebike rentals, scenic chairlift rides, ropes courses &amp; alpine slide.

Utah Olympic Park & Museum 

The definition of cutie coffee! This spot has a garden cafe, nursery, flower barn and boutique. It gives the best vibes to start the day.

Park City Gardens

This bike shop sits right across the street from a stunning stretch of greenway through a meadow right outside of Canyons Village. They offer full and half day bike rentals. You can also Park at historic McPolin Farm (pictured) and walk the same greenway.

Contender Bicycles

Deer Valley Resort offers an exciting range of mountain bike trails, including flow trails designed by Gravity Logic. Riders can access the trails via two chairlifts: Silver Lake Express at the base of the resort, and Homestake Express at mid-mountain. Many of Deer Valley’s trails also connect seamlessly with Park City’s expansive singletrack network, offering a variety of options for all ability levels.

Downhill Mountain Biking at Deer Valley

Homestead Crater is a 95 degree geothermal hot spring located in Midway, about 20 minutes from Park City. You can swim, soak or snorkel on the surface. They offer 40 minute soaking sessions at $20 per person. We will be doing a group event here on Saturday morning. Midway is also worth spending some time in, it's known for its&nbsp;Swiss heritage, mountain scenery and is often called the "Switzerland of America" due to its Germanic architecture and influence. Some of our (my) favorite spots include Midway Bakery (a go to before the crater), The Dainty Pear, Folklore Bookshop, Kringle's Christmas Store, Harvest Coffee Shop, Ballerina Farm Store, and Cafe Galleria (all within about a quarter mile of each other)

Located about 20 minutes from Park City, Jordanelle Marina offers boat, jet ski, kayak and paddle board rentals. We'll be spending Friday afternoon on the water

Jordanelle Reservoir Marina 

Inspired local dining, unique shopping, masterful arts and culture - it's all here. A great place to spend a morning or afternoon shopping &amp; trying some local restaurants/breweries. We'll be spending Friday evening here.

Emily & Russell

Emily & Russell

Wedding Party