Wedding Day

St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church

Ceremony

The Union League of Philadelphia

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Our Wedding

Hi! My name is Jacqueline Gallagher. I was born and raised in Southern New Jersey and have lived there all my life, with the exception of living 4 years in State College, PA (“Happy Valley”), where I attended Penn State University and 4 years in New York City, where I worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). When the pandemic hit in 2020, rather than sit and work isolated in a small studio apartment with my cat, Peanut, I decided to go back home until the world reopened.&nbsp;Little did I know that it was going to be a while before that happened.&nbsp; What's a girl to do when you can't go anywhere or socialize with anyone?&nbsp;You join eHarmony (this is a dating site for those of you who are lucky enough to have never gone on one).&nbsp;And that's how it all began, the man of my dreams entered my life... Hi! My name is Matthew McManus. I'm from Verona, NJ and lived there until I went to college at the University of Scranton in PA. After graduation, I joined the US Army where I intended to stay for my career, but an unforeseen health condition in basic training forced me to be medically discharged. Not knowing what to do for a living, my buddy and current groomsman, Darius, convinced me to become an aircraft mechanic! I had never fixed a single thing in my life and didn't even know that was a career choice! I first decided it would be best to work at my Dad's store as a small engine mechanic, where I worked for a year before finally making my decision. Feeling confident in myself, I enrolled at Teterboro School of Aeronautics, where I learned all about aircraft for the next two years. After finishing technical school, I was hired as an aircraft mechanic at Republic Airways in Philadelphia. However, while I was happy at my new job, I felt alone living in a new city by myself, so I did the next best thing, I went on eHarmony! And that’s how it all began, the woman of my dreams entered my life... Matt sent me a message on eHarmony to which I immediately replied. We messaged back and forth for a while, and when we were comfortable moving to the next step, we planned a first date. I met Jackie at Seasons 52 in Cherry Hill, NJ on October 31, 2021, Halloween! I was looking forward to meeting this beautiful girl and hoping she wasn’t going to turn out to be a ghost (no pun intended). Matt and I had the best time! Jackie and I had the best time! We enjoyed each other’s company, and we knew we wanted to see each other again. Fast forward 8 months after we met, I took a job with Delta Airlines in Boston and relocated to New Hampshire. Jackie and I spent the next year in a long distance relationship. We were both determined to keep it strong and that’s when we knew we were meant to be together. Jackie moved to New Hampshire in June of 2023. We planned a vacation to St. Lucia in July, and I had another plan for Jackie. It was on the beach having a sunset dinner for two that I officially proposed and asked Jackie to be my wife. She was so surprised and happy (many tears), and I was so happy she said yes (and that I managed not to lose the ring). We are so happy and can’t wait to celebrate with all of you on November 9, 2024, when we begin this exciting new chapter in our lives.

How We Met

Our Story

Photos

Danielle Bazelak

Thomas McManus Jr.

Abby Singley Barnes

John Paul Graziano

Laura Stippick

Patrick Sullivan

Gina Giunta

Darius Taghavi

Kelly McManus

Michael Gallagher Jr.

Kate Botelho

Tristan Botelho

Rowan

Wedding Party

Please call the front desk to make a reservation. The front desk is open 24/7. Refer to the Gallagher McManus room block when calling. Reservations must be made by October 8, 2024. There is no deposit required, and guests can cancel up until 48 hours prior to the date of arrival. The rate includes complimentary breakfast for (2) guests per room, use of the fitness center, and complimentary internet.&nbsp; Since the Inn is a private club, they do not collect the 8.2% Philadelphia occupancy tax. Guests are encouraged to utilize the Union League parking garage located at 1415 Sansom Street, directly across from the hotel entrance.

The Inn at the Union League

All reservations must be made using the website link below by October 8, 2024.&nbsp;

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Philadelphia Center City

Accommodations

Since the church does not offer on-site parking, and there is no free parking, guests should utilize the complimentary wedding day parking at the Union League parking garage. We have arranged for Philadelphia Trolley Works to transport guests from the Union League to St. John's Church starting 45 minutes prior to the ceremony. Following the ceremony, the trolleys will transport guests from the church back to the Union League and/or Double Tree Hotel. The church is a 6-minute walk from the Union League. See map below.

Transportation

For Directions and Parking to the Union League of Philadelphia, click the link below. Please note that Parking Rates are inclusive of tax and gratuity. <a href="https://www.unionleague.org/directions-parking.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.unionleague.org/directions-parking.php</a>

For Men:&nbsp;Jacket and tie are strongly preferred. Jacket and collared shirt are required at all times on the first floor members-only section of the League House.Not Permitted: Turtleneck shirts, collared shirts open more than one button, untucked shirts, jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, and flip-flops.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;For Women:&nbsp;Business suits, tailored pant or skirt ensembles and dresses.Not Permitted: Spandex, open midriffs, halter tops, shorts, leggings, extremely short hemlines (not more than 3” above the knee), jeans, t-shirts, sneakers, and flip-flops.&nbsp;&nbsp;Unacceptable Attire:&nbsp;The following attire is never acceptable on the first or second floors of the League House: jeans, denim-wear, t-shirts, athletic wear, tank, halter, or jogging tops, untucked shirts, collared shirts unbuttoned more than one button or two inches from the neckline, wrinkled clothing, shorts, baseball caps, spandex, open midriffs, leggings, extremely short hemlines, sneakers, extremely casual or beach footwear.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Members and guests staying at the Inn at the Union League or using the Fitness Center may enter and leave the League House in attire that would not otherwise comply with the Rules of the House Committee only to go to or leave from the Fitness Center or the overnight rooms only by using the Sansom Street entrance and the elevators to and from the overnight rooms.&nbsp;&nbsp;Exceptions:&nbsp;Breakfast: Business casual attire is acceptable in the Founders Room or Café Meredith for breakfast only. Saturday and Sunday: Business casual attire is acceptable on Saturday until 5:00pm and all day Sunday in the Café throughout the year.

What is the Dress Code at the Union League?

Click the link below to learn more about the Union League of Philadelphia: <a href="https://member.unionleague.org/history" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://member.unionleague.org/history</a>

Jacqueline & Matthew

Jacqueline & Matthew

Things to Do

Independence Hall

Philadelphia Zoo

The Franklin Institute

Liberty Bell

Reading Terminal Market

Philadelphia Museum of Art

Rocky Statue

Where to Find the Best Philly Cheesesteaks