Rehearsal Dinner

The Seclusion

Our Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Dinner

Party!

Wrap-Up

Our Wedding

Our Story

On May 12th, 2023, Julien matched with Kara on a dating app called Hinge. Julien was working as an aerospace engineer at MCAS Cherry Point, while Kara was finishing up her third year of clerkship with Campbell University School of Osteopathic Medicine nearby in Morehead City, NC. He then proceeded to ask her out on a date to a local upscale bar, to which she said yes. While Kara was hesitant to go as she thought she might rather stay snuggled up with her pup reading a good book, a good friend (whom shall remain nameless, you know who you are!), convinced her to go. And so on May 13th, 2023, Julien and Kara met. The two connected flawlessly, despite the initial scare when Kara admitted she couldn't drink alcohol on the first date... (answer: latent tuberculosis medication!) Even still, Kara and Julien found themselves smitten as they effortlessly talked the night away. After that night, Julien was already planning when he could see her again. They quickly found out they were two big nerds in vastly different professional fields, who surprisingly had many common interests, from soccer to Star Wars. It turned out, they couldn't get enough of each other.

Since that day, Julien and Kara have had amazing adventures, faced tragedies, and spent many long months apart. Some of their fondest memories include those trips during their distance. Their first summer he visited her in Washington, DC while she was on rotation at Walter Reed, and as many may know, their pattern of wanderlust hasn't stopped since. One of the couple's more defining moments was when Kara tagged along on Julien's week-long work trip to Hawaii. She was able to interview at Tripler Army Medical Center, and the couple enjoyed their first real vacation, and time on the island. Little did they know what the future held back then! Only a few months later, Julien was confident Kara was the one, and so he did the unthinkable and asked for an unsolicited plus one to a dear friend's wedding in Boston. (Thank you both for letting her tag along!) They quickly became each other's automatic plus-one on several road trips. From the beaches of Emerald Isle, to the Appalachian mountains of Mouth of Wilson, and even up to Buena Vista, they frequently traveled across the states of North Carolina and Virginia together. Kara learned to love being a passenger princess!

Many will know the couple are avid dog lovers, who both had hoped their furry friends would one day accompany them down the aisle. But they faced the tragic loss of their pets together throughout their relationship. Julien lost his sweet 8-year-old Rhodesian ridgeback Kovu to osteosarcoma in June of 2023, shortly after meeting Kara. Less than a year later, Kara's golden retriever Finn was diagnosed with the same cancer (even in the same left rear leg) as Kovu, and passed away in March 2025. The couple also mourned the passing of two family dogs during their first year of dating: Millie Brads, the black lab/hound mix, passed in November 2023, and Mugsy Fogel, the Boston terrier, passed in February of 2024. The couple fully expected to have both of their boys at their side on their wedding day, but they will always remain in their hearts, watching over them from the Rainbow Bridge. Despite their losses, Julien and Kara learned how to best support each other in tough times early in their relationship, building a foundation of support for years to come.

The young couple has spent nearly half of their relationship as long-distance. Kara matched at Tripler, and moved to Hawaii for Army Pediatric Residency after graduating medical school. Julien was able to come out to visit not once, but twice since she moved in June 2024. Kara was able to travel home to Virginia for Christmas 2024 and for a dear friend's wedding in April 2025, and the couple spent every moment they could together. The old saying that goes "distance makes the heart grow fonder" is only true for the right people, and in Julien and Kara's case, that was the truth. Despite all of their hardships with loss, long-distance, and work difficulties, Kara and Julien were able to support each other while also cultivating their relationship. Some of their favorite things to do include thrifting, building legos, hiking, wandering around a museum or aquarium, cooking a new recipe together, grabbing a craft beer, or simply watching a TV show (shout-out to Clone Wars, Only Murders in the Building, and the Great British Baking Show). They are particularly good at respecting each other's interests, like Julien's video games and Kara's reading or painting. They also got really good at making time for each other with a 5 or 6-hour time difference, and had many, many, MANY FaceTime calls.

If you have read this far, thank you for taking the time to read about Julien and Kara's love story! Check out the "Engagement" section of the website for details of Julien's proposal. It has been difficult in their relationship to meet each and every one of their respective loved ones, especially with the distance and their busy schedules as professionals. They are absolutely thrilled to have you at their big day!

2023

2024

2025

Photo Gallery

Engagement Story

Julien managed to hide an entire trip to Hawaii from Kara (though she had a strong hunch) at the end of June 2025. But little did she know he arranged a photoshoot with a local photographer at a special place: Waimea Valley. Julien and Kara first visited the valley on their first trip to Hawaii in August 2023, and were surprised how much they loved wandering the gardens and learning about Hawaiian and other Pacific island history. They spent four hours there (including swimming in the waterfall!). Kara hadn't been back in the year she's lived on Oahu because it didn't feel right without Julien.

The bridge in front of the Waimea waterfall is particularly special to the couple, as the photo taken in 2023 (see first photo!) was the couple's first photo they posted on their socials, and printed for their families to display. As such, Julien decided was the perfect place to propose!! No need to describe Kara and Julien's joy, you can see for yourself!

Kara is incredibly fond of photos, as she still prints photos for albums. Julien's thoughtfulness in booking a photographer will allow the couple to cherish their proposal experience for years and years to come! Not only did Kara also get the perfect ring, but the perfect soon-to-be husband! Kara and Julien are so thrilled to start the rest of their lives in paradise. Though Hawaii will only be home for a few more years, the couple will bring their committed love to wherever life takes them!

Engagement

Kara's Cuties

"By default, Kara (Kitty) has always been my built-in-friend-for-life and is the quintessential little sister. We sisters are opposites yet complement, and so many memories involve Kara - from our toy kitchen, to mine and my husband’s very first house guest, to the beginning of her “Auntie Kara” era. She may be my forever friend, but she is such a good friend to all - spreading joy wherever she goes. I am so proud and excited to stand by her as she marries Julien! Love ya, little seester!"

Keegan Brads Pritchard

"From bunkmates to best mates: Kara and I met at army training camp where our bond was forged through the trials of death by PowerPoint and 0400 PT. From there, the rest is history including being there for when Kara reported back about how she had met the love of her life, Julien. It’s truly an honor to be a part of this day and I am so happy for them both✨"

Alyssa Brauckmann

"Kara and I met for the first time when I was visiting the spring open house for the Pi Beta Phi sorority at William & Mary. Although our interaction was brief, her sunshine and joy made a big impression on me! We became sorority sisters, and, our sorority families joined forces (united by our love of Mamma Mia!), and we quickly became best pals. Through our volunteer days with the Arc, enjoyment of craft beers and pickles, and obsession with Pride and Prejudice, Kara and I have maintained the best of friendships and I really cannot imagine doing life without my Kare-Bear!"

Jamie Lanzalotto Elliott

"I’m Kara’s pal from her days at William & Mary! Kara was essentially my big sister in Pi Phi #boomboom, mentor, and dear friend! We shared many a Jose tequila marg together and haven’t gotten to spend as much time together as I’d have liked in the past few years! So excited for her and Julien! 🥳"

Lucy Isaak

Julien's Joes

Triston Fogel

Alex Decat

Keeley Johansen

Logan Klarzuk

Officiant

Wedding Party

Ultimate Formal Attire Shopping Guide

25 Hand-Picked Formal Guest Dresses

Tux vs. Suit: What's the Difference?

We are excited to celebrate with our friends and family on a lovely Virginia spring evening.For ladies, we recommend long or midi dresses, jumpsuits, or two-piece suits. For men, we recommend a sport coat and dress pants, or a suit and tie. We are also encouraging colorful and/or floral patterns for our guests! We will have a bit of Hawaiian flair integrated into our wedding and reception, so if you're feeling brave, sport your finest Aloha shirt!Please be advised, Virginian weather can be... unpredictable at times. Late Spring can feel like sweltering July, or cool March. We ask our guests to be prepared with a shawl or jacket, or layers able to be removed to beat the heat. Apply sunscreen ahead of time!

Dress Code

RSVP

Can I RSVP online or do I have to mail in an RSVP card? We invite you to RSVP online here on our website under the RSVP tab. We will not be including mail-in RSVPs in our invitations. If you need assistance, please contact Kara directly. What date should I RSVP by? Please RSVP by March 29th.

Plus-Ones & Children

Am I allowed to bring a plus-one? If you are permitted a plus-one, it will be clearly stated on your invitation as "Guest". If you have a new or unique circumstance after receiving your invitation, please contact Kara directly or our wedding planner, Monica at monganter@gmail.com before March 29th. Am I allowed to bring my children? Yes, of course, Kara is a pediatrician-to-be! Your children will be listed on your invitation. However, the bride will be off-duty, so please keep an eye on their safety throughout the evening. There are certain areas of the venue off-limits to children due to safety reasons, such as the bridal suite which features a balcony. There will be no babysitting service at the venue. Your kid's presence is welcomed, but not required! We completely understand if you would rather hire a babysitter at home!

Directions, Transportation & Accommodations

What are the addresses of the wedding ceremony and reception venues? Our venue's address is 375 Seclusion Lane, Lexington, VA 24450. You can use this link to view the location in Apple or Google Maps. Once you arrive, you'll see signage directing you to the ceremonial lawn. We hope you enjoy the views as you wait on the ceremony to start! Is the venue wheelchair accessible? Yes! Some pathways and the driveway are gravel/stone, but mostly flat. Please let us know in your RSVP if you require additional assistance. What's the easiest way to get to and from your wedding venue? As the name suggests, our venue is rather secluded and is accessible only by windy two-lane roads. If you are prone to motion sickness, please be prepared! Due to the few number of those interested in a shuttle service, we will not be providing a shuttle to/from the venue. Thank you for your understanding! Is there parking available at your wedding venue? For guests who choose to drive, there is free and ample on-site parking. We advise all of our guests to drink responsibly. Our venue is gracious enough to allow overnight parking if needed, with pickup until 12:00 noon the following day. Will your wedding be indoors or outdoors? Our ceremony will be outdoors with minimal shade, the cocktail hour will be under the covered veranda, and the reception will take place indoors. Guests will walk to the garden on paved pathways, but will need to step on grass briefly to take their seats. For that reason, stiletto or otherwise-thin heels are not recommended. Have you reserved blocks of rooms at one or more hotels? We have reserved several room blocks at nearby hotels. Please see our Travel tab for more details. What should I do if I don't make it into the room block? If you miss the deadline to reserve a room in our block, reach out to the hotel and mention our wedding anyway—they may be able to accommodate you with our discount in a room outside of our block. If not, you can find additional nearby accommodations on our travel page. What's the best airport to use? Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional and Richmond International are the closest airports to Lexington. The best airport for you will depend on where you are traveling from. Please see our "Travel" section for links to the airports to find the best flights for you.

Wedding Dress Code 

What's the dress code for your wedding? Our dress code is formal. Please refer to our Dress Code tab for more details and The Knot recommendations.

Menu & Dietary Restrictions

What type of food will be served at your wedding? We'll be serving hors d'oeuvres at cocktail hour followed by a sit-down dinner with a choice of entree. There will be a meat, fish and gluten-free/nut-free/vegan option available. Will there be meal options for guests with dietary restrictions or allergies? We plan on having an entree choice that's vegan, gluten and nut free to accommodate guests with dietary restrictions. Our cocktail hour appetizers will also all be clearly marked if they are allergy friendly. If you have additional restrictions that go beyond what we've listed here, please let us know in the designated section of your digital RSVP. We want you to feel comfortable and well fed! Will there be an open bar? Yes! There will be an open bar for guests to enjoy throughout cocktail hour and the reception, featuring the bride and groom's signature cocktails. Please consider bringing cash for tips for our amazing bartenders. What about dessert? We have a few surprises in the sweets department... You'll find out on the special day what we'll have to offer!

Wedding Registry & Gifts

Could you give me a link to your wedding registry? You can find our wedding registries here on our website under the "Registry" tab. We are registered on Amazon, Target, Crate&amp;Barrel, and Anthropologie. Where should we bring/send our wedding gift? Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for! If you would like to honor us with a gift, we gratefully ask you to ship it to our home at 99-592 Huakanu Street, Aiea, HI 96701. This is because we are traveling to Virginia, we will have limited space in our luggage to bring home our wonderful gifts. Please keep in mind that some stores do not ship to Hawaii, or have high shipping costs. A wedding card box will be available at our reception. Kara is particularly fond of cards, and she is planning on creating a special keepsake made of wedding cards. Even if you've already shipped a gift, please consider bringing a keepsake card for the happy couple to cherish!

Wedding Weekend Itinerary

What's the wedding itinerary? Our wedding will take place at The Seclusion in Lexington, VA on Friday, May 29th, 2026. The ceremony will begin at 4 o'clock, followed by cocktail hour and the reception, which is anticipated to wrap around 10:30 pm. What time should I arrive at your wedding ceremony? The doors to the venue will open one hour ahead of our ceremony time at 3 o'clock. We recommend arriving at the ceremony venue at least 10 minutes ahead of the ceremony start time to ensure you have enough time to walk to the ceremony space, find a seat, and enjoy the Virginian scenery. What time will your wedding reception end? Is there an after-party? Our reception will end at approximately 10:30 pm. The couple will be staying at the Whippoorwill Cottage located on the venue following the reception and will likely not be engaging in further celebrations. For guests interested in continuing the party post-reception, there are several restaurants and bars in downtown Lexington. Find out more on our "Things to Do" section. Will there be a time gap between your wedding ceremony and reception? A 60-minute cocktail hour will take place between the ceremony and reception where you can enjoy cocktails, mocktails, small bites and the scenery. Could you suggest places to eat, drink and see while I'm in town for your wedding? Check out the "Things to Do" section of our travel page to see some of our favorite spots to eat, drink and explore in Lexington and surrounding areas.

Social Media & More

Am I allowed to take photos at your wedding? During the ceremony, we kindly ask our guests to refrain from taking photos or videos unless directed. After the ceremony, please take as many photos and videos as you like! However, we encourage you to live in the moment rather than behind your screen. Can I post wedding photos on social media? Yes! We would love to see all the different perpectives of our guests. Tag us or use our hashtag! Do you have a wedding hashtag? Hashtag TBD Where will wedding updates be posted? Additional updates or changes that need your attention will appear on our wedding website homepage. Is smoking allowed at the venue? Our venue is a strict non-smoking and non-vaping property. Smoking and vaping are only permitted in the designated fire pit areas. Per our rental agreement, any person smoking outside of the designated area will be asked to immediately leave the property. Is there anything I should bring as a guest? We'll be providing beverages to keep you hydrated. We do suggest that guests apply sunscreen prior to the ceremony and bring a pair of sunglasses so they can comfortably view the proceedings. If I have more questions about your wedding, who can I contact? Kindly contact our amazing wedding planner Monica at monganter@gmail.com with any further questions ahead of the wedding.

Q + A

* Hotel Blocks *

Hotel Blocks Available (Two Nights 5/28-5/29):Comfort Inn Lexington VA Horse Center: 10 rooms ($230/night)Wingate by Wyndham Lexington: 10 rooms ($179/night)Natural Bridge Hotel by Wyndham: 20 rooms ($164/night) Google Maps of Locations:https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1Ce9gxeVW9y39KbomNKQodms1P1b25As&amp;usp=sharing

28 minutes to the venueDeadline to book: April 28, 2026

Comfort Inn Lexington Virginia Horse Center

30 minutes to the venuePlease only use this # for reservations: 540-464-8100Deadline to book: April 28, 2026

Wingate by Wyndham Lexington

31 minutes to the venueDeadline to book: March 28, 2026Must call to book - code does not work online

Kara & Julien

Kara & Julien

K&J

Our Wedding Day

4:00 PM–5:00 PM

Ceremony

5:00 PM–6:00 PM

Cocktail Hour

6:00 PM–7:00 PM

Dinner

7:00 PM–10:00 PM

Party!

10:00 PM–10:30 PM

Wrap-Up