Streets Pub and Grub

Welcome Drinks

Wedding Day

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church

Ceremony

Elks Tower Sacramento

Cocktail Hour & Reception

Grandy Garden

Sunday Dinner

Spring

Our Wedding

Early ‘91: Chris was born in Charlotte, NC. Almost 2 years later, Helen came along in Sacramento, CA. While he immersed himself in comic books, stories of superheroes and knights in shining armor, bottle cap collecting, sports, and baseball cards, she enjoyed a world full of Barbies and Polly Pockets, cartwheels, playing in the dirt, painting rocks and collecting pig figurines.&nbsp; January 2015: Their lives intertwined when Helen was working the front desk at a local Midtown yoga studio; Chris joined just after moving to Sacramento. Eventually Helen became a yoga teacher at the studio and Chris was a regular practitioner in her class. They saw a lot of each other but didn’t speak much outside of a quick “hello, how are ya?” There were signs from the start but life had other plans for these two. Helen and Chris both dated other people, Helen moved away to Portland, while Chris continued his life in Sacramento. Eventually, Helen returned home and to her job at the yoga studio, to find Chris still in his usual front row spot. Helen finally ventured out of her middle row spot, and they began practicing mat-to-mat while secretly looking forward to the next time they might run into each other. Unnoticed were Helen’s valiant efforts of purposely parking her car near Chris’ usual spot on 26th &amp; K in hopes that they might walk in and out together. Eventually, friendship started to turn to mutual attraction, and they began to spend more time together. July 2019: Some time had passed since the last time they had hung out and Helen was starting to wonder if Chris had fallen off the face of the earth. She thought for sure he wasn’t interested, but surprisingly on the 4th of July she received a text saying, “sup, hows your fourth?” The texting continued, and Chris saw this as the perfect time to ask Helen out on an official date. A couple days later they met at Mas Taco Bar on R street and the two of them enjoyed some tacos, nachos, and a margarita. Helen got there early to have a drink and scope it out, only to find out later that Chris had ALSO arrived early and was doing circles in the parking lot on his Lime scooter. After dinner, it was over to the Historic Crest Theater on K street to see the cult classic 16 Candles. True to his favorite method of transportation, Chris made Helen ride there on a Lime scooter. After this date, Chris knew things were headed in the right direction. He was also slightly concerned about Helen’s sodium levels after experiencing her technique of salting movie popcorn. Helen began to leave her mark on Chris’ life in many ways. She showed him the wonders of a complete salad with multiple ingredients served in a bowl, not the plastic container, with dressing, not dry, and eaten with a fork, not bare hands. Helen’s greatest gift to Chris during this stage of courtship was the sharing of her gardening knowledge. Together, over the summer and into the fall they turned Chris’s V Street backyard, a dilapidated nasty plot of land, into an oasis teaming with life. November 2019: After a few months of late nights in Midtown, loud live music events, and an epic beach trip to Pismo, Helen was wondering why on earth Chris hadn’t officially proclaimed her his girlfriend. Chris had to make sure his ducks were in a row before he made what he knew to be a vitally important choice. It was at this time that Chris transitioned out of the job he had been with since moving to Sacramento 6 years earlier and into one that was more aligned with his goals and aspirations. Once he was settled into his new job he planned a trip over Veteran’s Day Weekend to the Northern CA coast town of Mendocino. After some BBQ oysters and few Guinesses from Patterson’s Irish Pub, Chris got the courage to ask Helen to officially be his girlfriend. They enjoyed the rest of their weekend exploring the town and adventuring to neighboring Glass Beach so Helen could search for seaglass and Chris could read his new book. They came home as a couple and never looked back. August 2020: Chris and his long-time roommates went their separate ways so Chris and Helen decided to pool their resources and move into an old Victorian apartment in Midtown pressed up against the train tracks. It took about a week of hiding and hissing before Chris’s two cats and Helen’s two cats accepted the change. They couldn’t wait to transform another ugly plot of land, and enjoyed 3 years of vegetable growing, garden hang-outs, and back porch sunsets. October 2023: After three years in their Midtown apartment, it was time to say goodbye to shared walls with neighbors and sneaky landlords. With the cats in tow, they moved across the grid and into North Oak Park to a small two-bedroom house with a big back yard for gardening and a big she-shed for projects. November 2023: After a long year of change and upheaval, Chris told Helen he was planning a relaxing anniversary weekend in Mendocino, where he made it official four years earlier. After checking into their old hotel and enjoying the town for a day, Helen was unsure about her “Chris is proposing this weekend” theory. She knew him too well, and something seemed fishy, but he kept throwing her off. They made their way up to Glass Beach after a round of oysters in Noyo Harbor. They found a great section of beach with the motherlode of sea glass and perfectly situated for the sunset. As Helen scoured for the perfect piece, Chris unsurprisingly chatted with a couple of strangers. Helen noticed the dwindling opportunity of the setting sun, Chris making his new friends, and she knew it wasn’t going to happen today. As she looked on from the distance, Chris explained his plan to these random folk and recruited them to keep any passersby out of the frame of his camera that was “recording the sunset on timelapse.” After some deep breaths Chris got into position and called Helen over to him, shouting that he had found the perfect piece of sea glass that she NEEDED to see. When Helen approached, Chris got down on one knee and asked. She said yes, obviously, after some hyperventilating and shock. They blissfully celebrated at Patterson’s, with a proper pour, warm food, and the friendliest strangers.&nbsp;

Love Story

To those of you traveling from near and far - your efforts to be here mean the world. Below is a list of hotel suggestions and easiest ways to get around town!

Located less than two blocks from the church ceremony, across the street from historic Sutter's Fort, and within walking distance of some great bars/restaurants! If you're planning to stay here along with the bride and groom, use the special booking code listed above to secure the designated room rate.

Hyatt House Sacramento / Midtown

This hotel is also located in Midtown, above Cafe Bernardo (yum!), and about 4 blocks from the church ceremony.

The Fort Sutter Hotel Sacramento

Lodge luxuriously here - enjoy the rooftop pool, decadent food, and downtown oasis.

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel

A comfy and more affordable downtown option. You're welcome, wallet.

Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown - Arena

If a hotel isn't your thing, check out airbnb for a more charming, local feel.

Airbnb

SMF is the closest airport located about a 15 minute drive from Midtown, Sacramento. If your travel arrangements are taking you through or near the bay area, Oakland and San Francisco have larger international airports.

Sacramento International Airport

Take the scenic route from just about anywhere in the U.S. and arrive in Sacramento by train.

Amtrak, Sacramento Valley Station

The most precariously fun way to zip from point A to point B on the Midtown/downtown grid, especially on a warm evening. Always bend your knees and hold on tight when you go over the light rail tracks!

Lime Scooters

Uber and Lyft are the easiest ways to catch a ride in Sacramento. Download the apps on your phone and find plenty of drivers ready to get you to your destination.

Uber & Lyft

Travel

Local Activities

For the travelers who love maps and want a deeper dive into all things Sacramento, please click this link to see our HEFTY Google Maps guide: <a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/VZhRh5HyGNo68XTz9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://maps.app.goo.gl/VZhRh5HyGNo68XTz9</a>

If you can't find Chris and Helen, and it's over 70 degrees, they're probably here swimming, sun-bathing, or trying to beat their personal frisbee record of 73 throws. Pack a picnic, or stop at Cookie's Drive-in for the best burgers, fries and shakes in Sac.

Paradise Beach

A beautiful collection of art located downtown, right near the Old Sacramento waterfront. Lay your eyes upon some of Helen's favorites: Thiebaud, Bischoff, Kondos, and Diebenkorn.

Crocker Art Museum

Catch a classic flick at this antique theater, where Chris brought Helen for their first official date to see Sixteen Candles.

Crest Theatre

Stroll through some of Sacramento's most historic streets and landmarks. Some favorite things are: the riverfront, horses, quirky stores, restaurants, and hidden history of an underground town.

Old Sacramento 

Saturday mornings you'll find some stellar dog-watching, seasonal produce, and all the locally-made artisan crafts/gifts your heart desires. Stop for morning sustenance at the many food trucks within the market, or at a nearby staple: Old Soul Weatherstone or Morning Fork (get there early unless you love lines).

Midtown Farmers Market

Every Friday from May - July, César Chávez Plaza lights up with free live music, food trucks, beverages, and some of Sacramento's finest characters. Find Kenny the Dancing Man if you are up for the most exhilarating dance-off of your life.

Concerts in the Park

Option 1) Bring a blanket, bottle of chilled white, and your favorite person to enjoy a rose-scented picnic under the palm trees.Option 2) Sweat out your stresses around the mile-looped jogging path; don't skip the panhandle!

McKinley Rose Garden

Snag your airplane read for the trip home at Sactown's best used book store. Family owned, and affordable finds. Still no beer, as the sign reads, but still easy to spend hours and hours getting lost in book-land. While you're on R street, head to Fox &amp; Goose for a darn good meal. (Honorable mention bookstores: Time Tested, and Wild Sisters.)

Beers Books

Watering holes

The prettiest cocktails. The prettiest rooftop. (An equally fabulous option: Revival - the top of the Sawyer Hotel)

Darling Aviary

A great spot to savor a unique glass of natural wine on a sunny afternoon. Get some cheese and bread.(Runner-ups: Betty for the aesthetic perfection, and Lucid for the old book collection)

Ro Sham Beaux

Good beer, friendly folks, and a big ol' patio. Kids and dogs welcome.

Oak Park Brewing Co.

A Pincushion Pils for Chris, and a What the Haze? for Helen

Device Brewing Company

Day trips

Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the calm waters of Lake Natoma. Go across the lake heading north through the tunnel to explore the most peaceful section.

Sacramento State Aquatic Center

Dine in the sunshine right on Tomales Bay, slurping up some of the best oysters on the West Coast. Opt for purchasing unshucked oysters and shellfish and picnic supplies from the Hog Shack to take with you to-go. Easily tie this stop into a trip to the coast, or the bay area.

Hog Island Oyster Farm

A membership-worthy winery about 45 minutes from Sacramento and halfway to Lake Tahoe, where the Grandies introduced Chris to the delicacies of Cabernet.

Boeger Winery

Sip and savor your way along the scenic Sacramento Delta, stopping at these lovely wineries: Silt, Bogle, and Old Sugar Mill.

Clarksburg Wine Tasting

Things To Do

Gallery

We can't wait to celebrate with you!Text us or e-mail almostkilgannons@gmail.com with any planning/travel/wedding questions.

Helen & Christopher

Helen & Christopher

Q + A

What's the weather like in Sacramento at the end of May?

What is parking like at St. Francis Church?

What is parking like at Elks Tower?

Plus ones and children? Can we bring 'em?

What's the deal with the hotel room block?

What does a semi-formal dress code mean?

What type of food will be served at the reception and cocktail hour?

Will there be a gap between your ceremony and reception?

Will there be other events to attend on the wedding weekend?