The Oaks at Salem

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Our love story began on April 8th, 2015 in Cozumel, Mexico. Our dear friends were getting married and it was a beautiful destination wedding and celebration. At the time, Pete was still living in Winston Salem, NC and I was living in Rhode Island. Before our meeting in Mexico, we had spent several weekends with our "Raleigh" friends, but our paths didn't cross until Cozumel. In Mexico, we enjoyed snorkeling, volleyball, swimming and lots of laughs. Pete loved asking me questions about life and faith. On my last day in Mexico, Pete asked me to meet him for the sunrise (he didn't realize it at the time, but we were facing the WEST side of the island...but I still agreed to meet him, it was such a sweet gesture). After asking MANY times, I finally gave him my phone number as I was getting into my shuttle to head back home, and he snapped this photo of us. We didn't know it then, but it was the beginning of our love story...

They Meet

My first trip to see Julie in RI was in May 2015. We dated long distance for about 8 months, switching off every other trip visiting NC or RI. We made a point to see each other every 2-3 weeks, and talked nearly every day on the phone or FaceTime. It was just after Thanksgiving 2015 when Julie was able to relocate with work to Raleigh. We packed up all of her things into a moving truck, and made the 13hr drive from RI to NC. You would think the door to the truck was going to fall off, she was holding it so tightly as we drove through NYC. But we made it safely and we were finally within driving distance of each other. It was in February of 2016 when I was able to relocate with BB&amp;T to Raleigh, and we were finally living in the same city! From there, we were able to travel together alot. We made trips back to RI to see Julie's family. We would drive to CLT to spend weekends with my parents and family. We attended weddings, took weekend trips hiking and camping in the mountains, spent summer weekends boating with friends and most recently, spent 2 weeks making our way through Europe via Paris, Grenoble, Monaco, Nice, Cinque Terre, Pisa and Rome. We love to travel together, whether it's road trips to Asheville, or adding more stamps to our passports. We are particularly fond of Asheville though...

They Travel

We decided to take a weekend trip to Asheville to celebrate Pete's birthday (September 15th). We made plans to go to our favorite restaurants and breweries, and visit the Biltmore Estate and Gardens (which had been on my to do list since I moved to Raleigh). We had ALOT planned for a short weekend trip. We checked into our AirBnB early Friday afternoon and decided to make our way to the Biltmore for the tour and wine tasting. We started with the gardens, and as we were making our way through the Rose Garden, Pete got down on one knee and proposed! We spent the rest of the weekend drinking champagne and celebrating our engagement, sharing the news with family and close friends. It was the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our love story, and a weekend we will always remember fondly...

They Get Engaged

Our Story

3:30 &nbsp;Guests Arrive4:00 &nbsp;Ceremony4:30 &nbsp;Cocktail Hour5:30 Introductions6:00 &nbsp;Dinner7:00 &nbsp;Dancing and Merriment8:45&nbsp;Bride &&nbsp;Groom Send Off!

Meal Choices

Chicken Stuffed with Proscuitto Frenched breast of chicken stuffed with thinly sliced proscuitto, Asiago, with sun dried tomato pesto cream sauce.

Bistro Steak with Chimichurri Sauce Tender grilled steak topped with a Piquillo pepper Cilantro, Parsley and lime chimichurri sauce. (gf)

Spinach and Cheese Ravioli Fresh made ravioli with Spinach and three cheeses, served with a sun dried tomato cream sauce with fresh Basil. (v)Gluten and Dairy free options available upon request. &nbsp;Please contact Julie directly if you have any food allergies.

Details

Photos

Mark is my younger brother and lives in Milton, PA with his wonderful wife Meghan. The past few years we've grown a lot closer. When we aren't giving each other a hard time about little things, we are supporting each other in our walk with Christ. Mark is a Shop Manager for XPO logistics and enjoys riding his motorcycle and shooting skeet.

Mark Tramacera

Audrey and I have been close friends for almost a decade.  We initially met at Schneider Electric in Rhode Island, bonding over our experiences participating in the Philippines Exchange Program, serving on the board for the Young Professionals Network, and the Event Planning Committee.  Audrey is currently an Inside Sales Representative at Schneider Electric in Nashville.  We share a love for the Patriots, crafting days, beach trips and country concerts!

Audrey O'Brien

Sarah is my sister in law and has been a part of our family for well over a decade. She is a mama to 3 awesome kiddos, that I am lucky enough to be Auntie to...Wesley, my godson, and Lily &amp; Zachary, the twins that stole our hearts in April!  Sarah currently works at First Physical Therapy in Westerly as a Physical Therapist and Athletic Trainer.   Sarah is also a very smart girl and loves the Patriots, even though her husband is a Chiefs fan!  

Sarah Bicknell

Kostya is been one of my longest friends. Since high school, we've been very close going through all life's adventures (and challenges) together.  Kostya is married to Christine Fillipenko, one of Julie's bridesmaids.   They currently live in Grenoble, France. Kostya works for Schenider Electric and enjoys traveling, a good craft beer and snow boarding

Kostya Filippenko

I met Tim through a few mutual friends that work at Schneider Electric. Over the few years we've grown close, spending time together on fun few trips and run clubs. I owe thanks to Tim for pushing me in training for my first half marathon. Tim currently lives in Knightdale, NC and works for Schneider Electric as a Mechanical Engineering Manager.

Tim Smith

Sheila and I became friends over 10 years ago, meeting through mutual friends in Rhode Island.   It took her a couple of years, but she also won me over and became my hairdresser as well!   Sheila currently works at Salon Gazebo in Rhode Island.  We've remained close friends over the years, and you could often find us enjoying breakfast dates, walks at City Park, hot yoga  and ariel yoga classes.  

Sheila Buchanan

Christine is also a fellow Schneider Electric employee and we first met while I was a Project Manager in the Rhode Island office, almost 5 years ago. She and her husband, Kostya,  introduced Pete and I at their wedding in Mexico (3 years ago as of April 8th, 2018)!  We share a love for planning trips, shopping online and working out.  Christine is a Senior Internal Communications Business Partner for Schneider Electric, currently based in Grenoble, France.

Christine Filippenko

Andy and I have grown a great friendship over the past four years. We met through a mutual friend and have been on many trips including rafting, hiking, camping, adventures in Charleston and most recently traveling to Europe for 2 weeks with friends. He is a great friend and roommate. Even our dogs are friends!  Andy lives in Raleigh and currently works as a Project Manager.

Andy Swygart

Jenny is the youngest of the Bicknell siblings, and my beautiful sister! She has a love for art, and is especially talented with oil and acrylic paintings. She and I bond over craft time and our love of wine! We enjoy apple picking and rock wall climbing, and of course shopping dates!  Jenny is currently working for Briarcliff Manor as an Accounts Payable Specialist.

Jenny Bicknell

Dustin has been one of my good friends since 2014 when I met him at Centergrove Baptist Church in Winston Salem, wearing a bow tie and recruiting for a small group. After a few Bible studies and a couple golf games we became good friends. Dustin currently lives in Winston-Salem with his lovely wife Samantha. Dustin is a Marine,  die hard Auburn Fan, and novice fly fisherman.

Dustin Bentley

Oksana (Ox) and I became instant friends when I met her a few years ago in Raleigh, while visiting Christine and Kostya. She and I bonded as roomates at Christine and Kostya's wedding in Mexico and have been the best of friends ever since. She took me into her home when I first moved to Raleigh and has always been a huge support. She and I love shopping,  hot yoga, drinking wine, staying up way too late talking, and bonfires.

Oksana Petrova

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

<ul class="text-center"><li class="text-center">King or Queen Suite @$119.00- kitchen/living room/dining room/separate bedroom and bathroom/pull out sofa</li><li class="text-center">King or Queen Studio @$109.00- All one room includes microwave, coffee maker and mini fridge</li><li class="text-center">2 Bedroom Suite @$179.00 - 2 separate bedrooms and bathrooms/ sleeps 8</li></ul>

All rates include the following complimentary amenities for hotel guests: Our full hot breakfast every day, our Monday through Thursday evening social with beer wine and a light meal, fitness center with offsite access as well as on site, hotel shuttle within 5 miles of the hotel, outdoor pool and hot tub, business center and wireless access throughout the whole building.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Raleigh/Cary

There will be complimentary shuttle service from the hotel to the venue on the day of the wedding, at 3:00 & 3:20pm. A return shuttle will arrive at the venue following the reception, at 8:40&&nbsp;9:00pm. 

For local guests, there is complimentary valet car parking at The Oaks at Salem. 





For additional transportation needs, Uber and Lyft service the area regularly.

Julie & Pete

Julie & Pete

Photos