Rehearsal dinner

Welcome Party

Ceremony

Figure 8 Island Yacht Club

Reception to Follow

Beers on the Beach

Our Wedding

Our&nbsp;love&nbsp;story&nbsp;kicked&nbsp;off&nbsp;just&nbsp;like&nbsp;the&nbsp;best&nbsp;rom-coms—thanks&nbsp;to&nbsp;Tinder!&nbsp;Our&nbsp;first&nbsp;date&nbsp;took&nbsp;us&nbsp;to&nbsp;La&nbsp;Jolla&nbsp;Colony&nbsp;Park&nbsp;in&nbsp;San&nbsp;Diego&nbsp;on&nbsp;June&nbsp;14th,&nbsp;2020.&nbsp;What&nbsp;was&nbsp;meant&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;a&nbsp;socially-distanced&nbsp;meet-up&nbsp;quickly&nbsp;turned&nbsp;into&nbsp;a&nbsp;delightful&nbsp;picnic&nbsp;thanks&nbsp;to&nbsp;impromptu&nbsp;chips&nbsp;and&nbsp;salsa&nbsp;and&nbsp;a&nbsp;touch&nbsp;of&nbsp;watermelon. Michael&nbsp;thought&nbsp;Izze&nbsp;was&nbsp;absolutely&nbsp;amazing,&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;date&nbsp;was&nbsp;a&nbsp;hit.&nbsp;Izze,&nbsp;however,&nbsp;needed&nbsp;a&nbsp;bit&nbsp;more&nbsp;convincing&nbsp;(shocking,&nbsp;we&nbsp;know!).&nbsp;But&nbsp;when&nbsp;Michael&nbsp;suggested&nbsp;a&nbsp;homemade&nbsp;pasta&nbsp;dinner&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;second&nbsp;date,&nbsp;Izze,&nbsp;a&nbsp;carb&nbsp;enthusiast,&nbsp;was&nbsp;intrigued&nbsp;enough&nbsp;to&nbsp;give&nbsp;him&nbsp;another&nbsp;shot.&nbsp;We&nbsp;cooked&nbsp;up&nbsp;a&nbsp;storm,&nbsp;bonded&nbsp;over&nbsp;delicious&nbsp;food,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Izze&nbsp;discovered&nbsp;that&nbsp;Michael&nbsp;was&nbsp;hilarious&nbsp;(though&nbsp;she&nbsp;will&nbsp;never&nbsp;admit&nbsp;it!). We&nbsp;got&nbsp;to&nbsp;know&nbsp;each&nbsp;other&nbsp;exploring&nbsp;San&nbsp;Diego’s&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;hiking&nbsp;trails,&nbsp;with&nbsp;Anza&nbsp;Borrego's&nbsp;deserts&nbsp;being&nbsp;a&nbsp;highlight&nbsp;(even&nbsp;if&nbsp;it&nbsp;meant&nbsp;losing&nbsp;our&nbsp;car&nbsp;keys&nbsp;and&nbsp;spending&nbsp;the&nbsp;night!).&nbsp;Izze,&nbsp;a&nbsp;UCSD&nbsp;alum,&nbsp;was&nbsp;eager&nbsp;to&nbsp;share&nbsp;San&nbsp;Diego’s&nbsp;amazing&nbsp;Mexican&nbsp;food,&nbsp;and&nbsp;spots&nbsp;like&nbsp;Puesto&nbsp;and&nbsp;Tacos&nbsp;el&nbsp;Gordo&nbsp;became&nbsp;our&nbsp;go-to&nbsp;for&nbsp;spontaneous&nbsp;date&nbsp;nights. Our&nbsp;journey&nbsp;took&nbsp;a&nbsp;turn&nbsp;when&nbsp;Izze&nbsp;moved&nbsp;to&nbsp;Atlanta&nbsp;for&nbsp;nursing&nbsp;school&nbsp;at&nbsp;Emory.&nbsp;Despite&nbsp;the&nbsp;distance,&nbsp;video&nbsp;chats&nbsp;and&nbsp;trips&nbsp;to&nbsp;Figure&nbsp;Eight&nbsp;Island&nbsp;kept&nbsp;us&nbsp;close.&nbsp;Then,&nbsp;just&nbsp;before&nbsp;Izze&nbsp;graduated,&nbsp;Michael&nbsp;moved&nbsp;to&nbsp;Boston&nbsp;for&nbsp;a&nbsp;new&nbsp;job.&nbsp;Even&nbsp;though&nbsp;Izze&nbsp;wasn’t&nbsp;thrilled&nbsp;about&nbsp;the&nbsp;cold,&nbsp;she&nbsp;joined&nbsp;him&nbsp;after&nbsp;finishing&nbsp;her&nbsp;studies.&nbsp;We&nbsp;have&nbsp;spent&nbsp;our&nbsp;time&nbsp;in&nbsp;Boston&nbsp;making&nbsp;new&nbsp;friends,&nbsp;discovering&nbsp;cool&nbsp;spots,&nbsp;and,&nbsp;of&nbsp;course,&nbsp;adopting&nbsp;our&nbsp;adorable&nbsp;puppy,&nbsp;Churro. Earlier&nbsp;this&nbsp;year,&nbsp;Michael&nbsp;realized&nbsp;how&nbsp;incredibly&nbsp;lucky&nbsp;he&nbsp;was&nbsp;to&nbsp;have&nbsp;Izze&nbsp;in&nbsp;his&nbsp;life.&nbsp;So,&nbsp;he&nbsp;planned&nbsp;a&nbsp;surprise&nbsp;proposal&nbsp;during&nbsp;a&nbsp;trip&nbsp;to&nbsp;Figure&nbsp;Eight&nbsp;Island&nbsp;with&nbsp;friends.&nbsp;With&nbsp;a&nbsp;little&nbsp;help&nbsp;from&nbsp;our&nbsp;amazing&nbsp;crew,&nbsp;he&nbsp;popped&nbsp;the&nbsp;question&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;beach,&nbsp;and&nbsp;when&nbsp;we&nbsp;got&nbsp;back&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;beach&nbsp;house,&nbsp;a&nbsp;celebration&nbsp;was&nbsp;waiting&nbsp;for&nbsp;us.&nbsp;We’re&nbsp;beyond&nbsp;excited&nbsp;to&nbsp;return&nbsp;to&nbsp;Figure&nbsp;Eight&nbsp;with&nbsp;all&nbsp;of&nbsp;you&nbsp;to&nbsp;tie&nbsp;the&nbsp;knot.&nbsp;Thanks&nbsp;for&nbsp;joining&nbsp;us&nbsp;on&nbsp;this&nbsp;special&nbsp;adventure!

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Wilmington International Airport

Raleigh-Durham International Airport

Holiday Inn Express Wilmington - Porters Neck, an IHG Hotel

Shell Island Resort

Hampton Inn Wilmington-University Area/Smith Creek Station

Homewood Suites by Hilton Wilmington/Mayfaire, NC

Travel

 

The Karen Beasley Rescue & Rehabilitation Center protects and conserves sea turtles. Through a guided tour, you will be introduced to different species of sea turtles in NC and the threats they face. You'll learn about our Topsail Turtle Project that protects and monitors female sea turtles, their nests, and their hatchlings. You'll see a working Sea Turtle Hospital, as you peek into Sick Bay where the most critical patients are treated. You’ll walk through Turtle Bay where turtles are recovering and nearing time for release. As you get to know these majestic creatures, you will understand the importance of helping them. Featuring a gift shop with fabulous turtle-themed merch. Due to its popularity, tickets should be purchased two weeks in advance

 

Hours
Friday, Monday, and Tuesday from 12 PM to 4 PM


Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue & Rehabilitation Center



Explore the refurbished WWII Battleship starting with the Observation Deck. The self-guided tour features nine levels of living spaces, mess decks, gun turrets, powder storage, sick bay, and more. Serving as a memorial for the 11,000 North Carolinians who died during the war, the Battleship is open every day. Docent led tours are available year round for additional charge. 



Hours
Daily from 8 AM to 5 PM


Battleship North Carolina



Stroll along nearly two-miles of scenic walkway alongside the historic Cape Fear River. Stretching from Nunn Street to the Isabella Holmes Bridge, lined with an assortment of markets, unique boutiques and art galleries, the Riverwalk is home to outdoor cafes and narrated tours. The marina at the north end accommodates larger vessels, with an outdoor concert venue as well as two restaurants featuring spectacular river and sunset views. Two hotels boasting seasonal rooftop views and year-round restaurants are also available. The Riverwalk is open year-round, featuring over 200 close-by shops, restaurants and attractions.

 

Hours
24/7


Wilmington River Walk 



Stunning exhibits of aquatic environment and wildlife connect you with the natural world. Explore marine life from salt marshes and tidal pools to a two-story open ocean exhibit featuring sharks, rays and eels. Discover a frisky family of Asian otters frolicking in their playful habitat. Meet Luna, a rare albino alligator, and a rescued bald eagle. Feel the smooth skin of a gliding stingray and come face-to-face with a loggerhead sea turtle. Stroll through the Aquarium's outdoor garden and discover aquatic wildlife at dive shows and animal encounters. Explore more with exciting Behind the Scenes Tours, outdoor adventures and camps. The gift shop carries a variety of toys and games, stuffed animals, souvenirs, and more

 

Hours
Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM


North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher



Explore 67 acres containing formal gardens, wildlife, ten acres of lakes, more than 75,000 azaleas, the tall Airlie Oak which dates back to 1545, and a seasonal butterfly house all located two miles west of Wrightsville Beach. Walk the trails or ride a tram to discover landscapes where something is always in bloom. 

 

Hours
Daily from 9 AM to 5 PM


Airlie Historic Gardens



The closest public beach. Very walkable and a perfect place to soak up the sun on a warm day.

 

Hours
24/7


Wrightsville Beach

 

Family fun for all featuring  Jungle Lagoon Golf, Laser Force Laser Tag Arena, Grand Prix Go-Karts, Bumper Cars, "The Rock" Climbing Wall, Kids Jungle Indoor Playground (Age 8 and under), huge Arcade, Big Splash Cafe, and Group Party facilities.

 

Hours
From 11 AM to 6 PM


Isabel & Michael

Isabel & Michael

Churro