Wedding Day

Ceremony

Solitude Links Golf & Banquet Center

Reception

Summer

Our Wedding

Jonathon and I met for the first time at Johnson &amp; Wales Miami during our orientation. Jonathon likes to remind me that our first meeting happened by chance, and that what I thought was a normal interaction was actually a completely different experience for him. He had (allegedly) come up to me and asked for help reading his schedule, which, of course, I gave no second thoughts about. He, on the other hand, was so impressed with himself that he asked "the cute girl" to have a chat with him. We laugh about it now because after we started dating, he had to remind me that this interaction happened at all. I didn't even remember that it was him! After orientation, Jonathon and I ended up in the same culinary lab together. It was our first lab at university, and we were both nervous, but we found comfort in each other. He was a true gentleman and insisted on helping me with throwing out my garbage and getting produce from the fridge....which I accepted, gladly, of course. It didn't take long before I was gushing about him on the phone to my parents, who knew before long that I would be calling him my boyfriend. Our first date was at our favorite local pizza stop: Evio's. I honestly don't remember what I ordered, I just know that I was so nervous to be on the date that I probably forgot what kind of pizza I liked at all. Obviously I didn't scare him away at this point, so it worked out for me. From there, we spent just about every waking moment together. Our friends at school nicknamed us "the lovebirds" because we were always together. I showed him my love for strong coffee and I quickly converted him to Cafe Bustelo. We enjoyed guava pastries on the beach and we took walks in the nearby state park. Then, COVID hit. We were forced to put our time together on hold because we were kicked out of our dorms and had to go home. Me, back to my parents home in Lake Orion, him, back to his mother's apartment in Tampa. We still had FaceTime dates, but obviously not the same. By the time the summer rolled around, I had somehow convinced my parents to drive me down to Tampa, pick him up, and drive all the way back to Michigan so we could spend the summer together (thanks, Dad). We spent the summer riding bikes, cooking for our parents, and enjoying our weekly Takeout Tuesday. We finished our next year at JWU Miami, and made the decision to transfer to JWU Providence due to the campus in Miami closing. We made the most of our last year in Miami by going to the beach as much as possible. We started our Junior year in JWU Providence, my first time on the East Coast and Jonathon's first time living up north. This year was tough on the academics, and it was a huge adjustment from the Freshman and Sophomore culinary labs we had the years before. However, we did it together. Jonathon experienced his first snow and I had my first bowl of authentic New England Clam Chowder. Our Senior year, we were required to do an internship for our degree. We made the (bold) choice of doing our internship together, as we did everything up to that point. Each year, we planned our classes so we could take them together. This was no different. We chose UMass Dining in Amherst, MA as our internship site. While there, we learned a lot about leadership, teamwork, and of course...food! We made some good friends, as well. After our internship, we finished our last semester at JWU Providence before graduating (with honors!!) in the spring of 2023. We had finally done it! After graduation, we decided to continue our employment with UMass Dining and move to Amherst. We got our first apartment together, picked out a couch, moved all the furniture in, the whole nine yards. That fall, Jonathon took me to Boston to celebrate our four year anniversary. My parents came up to visit that same weekend, and we spent the day at the aquarium before walking along the harbor. Somehow, I was completely, utterly, and totally surprised when Jonathon got down on one knee in front of the water. My parents, having known this was happening for months, happily filmed the biggest surprise that I will ever experience. I was so surprised, in fact, that the only thing that I could come up with to say was, "woah!" I think you all know what my answer was.... Since then, we have decided to move back to Michigan. Moving and getting married all in the same year might have been an overwhelming choice, but we are so excited to be closer to our families and continue to grow our story. Our relationship is based on togetherness, our mutual love for food, and enjoying the small things in life. Without Jonathon by my side throughout all these years, I think that my path would have gone in a totally different direction. I am so grateful to have him by my side every day. So, now you have our story! From the bride's perspective, at least.

Our Story (written by the bride)

Our Story

The Proposal!

Fav Pics of Us 2019

Fav Pics of Us 2020

Fav Pics of Us 2021

Fav Pics of Us 2022

Fav Pics of Us 2023

Fav Pics of Us 2024

Photos

Registry

Use this link to book your room directly from the website, or you can call the hotel and book that way using our wedding block name: "Wilker Wedding" https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=PTHMIHX&amp;arrivalDate=2025-08-09&amp;departureDate=2025-08-11&amp;groupCode=CHHWLK&amp;room1NumAdults=1&amp;cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink THE LAST DAY TO RESERVE A ROOM AT THIS RATE IS JULY 9TH, 2025. BOOK BEFORE THEN!!!!! To avoid a cancellation fee of the first night's room and tax, you must cancel the room at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled check-in date.

Hampton Inn Port Huron

To book this hotel at this rate, you must CALL the hotel and ask for the Wilker-Smith wedding block. There are single queen bed rooms available at this rate, but if you want to book a double queen bed room you must ask for this. YOU MUST BOOK THIS HOTEL BY JUNE 27TH, 2025 TO GET THE REDUCED BLOCK RATE. If you book a room and you want to cancel it, PLEASE do this MORE THAN 48 HOURS IN ADVANCE. This hotel was very specific about the cancellation policy and we will personally be responsible for the cost of the room if you cancel with less than 48 hours notice.

Fairfield Inn Port Huron

Hotel Accommodations

Mikayla is Elizabeth's childhood best friend of over 10 years! They met in elementary school and have been soul sisters ever since. She is originally from Oxford, Michigan and is currently living with her girlfriend, Sophie, in Columbus, Ohio. Right now, she is working as a Phlebotomist Registration Specialist. She is allergic to avocados. 

Mikayla Wylie

Kevin and Jonathon went to high school together and have been best friends ever since! They hung out all the time back then and still play video games at least three times a week. Kevin is originally from Tampa, Florida and still lives in the area. Right now, he works for the Coca Cola Co. He just bought himself a very nice truck and he enjoys collecting colognes. 

Kevin Rivera

Kristina is Elizabeth's soon-to-be sister-in-law! She is a married lady herself and just got married in May 2022. She is from Tampa, Florida originally and is currently living in Brandon, Florida with her hubby Orlando. Kristina loves to talk about her current fav shows with her brother Jonathon (right now, it's Bridgerton and The Resident).

Kristina Centeno

Orlando is Jonathon's brother-in-law! He is from Tampa, Florida and also went to middle school and high school with Jonathon. Right now, Orlando is living with his wifey Kristina in Brandon, Florida. His favorite beverage is shots. He likes to hang out with his family and shit like that. 

Orlando Centeno

Mikayla is one of Elizabeth's besties from JWU Miami! We met during freshman year and hit it off. Mikayla knows how to keep it real and I am thankful for that. She recently graduated from JWU with a BS in Baking and Pastry spring 2024. She is originally from the island of Curacao, but is currently living in West Palm Beach, Florida and working at The Breakers Resort as part of the baking and pastry crew. She makes AMAZING passionfruit martinis and has her own cheesecake business back home on her island.

Mikayla Ho

Kevin is one of Jonathon's soon-to-be brother-in-laws! He is from Lake Orion, Michigan and currently works at GM designing fasteners and "little car bits" for safety (we still don't know exactly what he does). He loves to ride his bike for miles at a time and he loves to fatten up his cat, Jimberley, with lots of chicken treats. Kevin sends a picture of Jimberley to Elizabeth every single day.

Kevin Wilker

Fantasia is one of Elizabeth's besties from JWU! They met during summer orientation and stuck together like glue. Would not have made it through college in another state without a friend like Fantasia!  We graduated together with the same degree in 2023. Right now, Fantasia is living in West Palm Beach, Florida and working as a banquet chef at The Breakers Resort. She has 4 dogs.

Fantasia Bodon

Caitlin and Jonathon went to middle school and high school together and have been best friends for over 10 years! She is from Tampa, Florida and is still living in the Central Florida area. She is a Certified Cosmetologist and has cut Jonathon's hair many times over the years. As kids, their favorite dance on Just Dance was the Ghostbusters theme song.

Caitlin Tench

Emily and Elizabeth met while working together at UMass and quickly became besties. We should get paid for how many work memes we send to each other and all the tea we spill on a daily basis. Emily is also an alumni from JWU Providence, but we never crossed paths at school. Emily is originally from the Western Massachusetts area and is currently living in Northampton, Massachusetts. Emily’s favorite song is “Lunch” by Billie Eilish. 🌈

Emily Thorpe

Ian and Jonathon met and quickly became best buds while working at UMass together. He is known as “the tall one” at work. Ian is originally from Vermont. He recently got married in winter 2024 to his second half, Kayla. Ian is closely related to the Viking colonies of Scandinavia. He is the resident beer guru. 

Ian Van’t Land

Kat is one of Elizabeth's besties from JWU! They attended JWU Miami together, but did not meet until they both transferred to JWU Providence. Thankfully, we crossed paths there! Kat is from Miami, Florida and is currently living in Orlando with her boyfriend. Right now, she is working at Disney World as a cook at the castle in Magic Kingdom. She has a really cute tuxedo cat named Stitches. 

Kat Rueda

Kaylyn and Jonathon went to middle school together and have been besties for over 10 years! They used to be neighbors as kids in Tampa, Florida. Kaylyn still lives in Tampa. Her favorite hobby is photography. Right now, she is studying Special Education at Liberty University. Kaylyn and Jonathon are birthday neighbors!

Kaylyn Adkins

Wedding Party

This is a great walk underneath the Blue Water Bridge which connects Port Huron, Michigan to Sarnia, Ontario. You can gaze upon our northerly neighbors as you walk along the St. Clair River!

Blue Water River Walk

This is a great bar with good food that also has axe throwing! They have an extensive beer selection as well as cocktails and "beertails". If you're looking for something more refined, they also have a hidden surprise downstairs from the Prohibition times....all you have to do is look behind the axes!

Bootlegger's Axe Co.

This beach is great for a swim on a sunny day! The water is definitely refreshing (COLD!!!) but on a hot summer day, this would be amazing. This beach has distinctly shaped smooth rocks that have been worn down by the river over time, which are a great souvenir to take home with you IMO.

Jonathon and Elizabeth

Jonathon and Elizabeth

Things to Do in Port Huron

Blue Water River Walk

Bootlegger's Axe Co.

Lighthouse Park