The Wicked Monk

Engagement Party

Cappuccino Cafe

Bridal Shower

La Piazza Cucina Italiana & Wine Bar

Rehearsal Dinner

Bethel Lutheran Brethren

Rehearsal at Church

Wedding Day

Ceremony

The Mansion at Oyster Bay

Reception

Our Wedding

We met each other for the first time on December 15, 2019 in Kari’s hometown of Brooklyn, NY. Our first date was seeing the Christmas lights in Dyker Heights. It was a wonderful experience that was the first of many more dates together. We learned a lot about each other during our time together. I learned about Kari’s love for animals, including her cats and now pup Moose. She even shared her hopes of becoming a veterinarian which she is close to accomplishing. And I expect many more animals in our future including mini cows. I shared my love of hiking and camping with her, even bringing her on her first camping trip ever. While all was going well between us, we faced many challenges being together which we managed to overcome. The first being COVID, our varying work schedules, a temporary assignment I took in Texas, and finally Veterinary School in St Kitts. All took a lot of time and commitment. But despite all the obstacles and distances we made it work and grew closer. One of those trips to St Kitts was pretty special and memorable. I mustered the courage to ask her if she would marry me. If youre reading this it was successful! We’re so happy we can finally have our wedding day soon where we can all gather with family and friends to celebrate.

Love Story 

Now that you have Christian's lovey dovey "Love Story", here's how it all actually happened... I was not expecting to meet a kind, down to earth man on a dating app but here I was in my upper twenties, life hadn't exactly gone how I wanted, and I was signing up for one. As I was swiping through, there was Christian. Pictures of his travels and jokes littered his profile and it was refreshing. Here wasn't a profile with the usual gym pictures or a fake macho man persona that, let's be honest, could never handle me. So we matched and messaged each other back and forth on the app and this man was not asking for my number! He had the audacity to go hours without responding to me so I took matters into my own hands. I was 29 years old and had no time to waste... I asked for his number and asked if he was going to ask me out. We finally go on our first date to go see the Christmas Lights in Dyker Heights. Christian wasn't sure how parking in the mean streets of Brooklyn was going to be like so he arrives at 2pm and tells me he is where we decided to meet. My jaw dropped... I was nowhere near ready since you know usually you go to see decorations at night but I guess being that early was just endearing. The whole day and night I was having a good time and Christian was amazing. So amazing that I can forgive him letting me walk instead of driving me home. That first date was the beginning of what will continue to be feeling whole for the first time in my life. I knew very early in our relationship that it was Christian or bust. No one else compares and I would rather spend the rest of life alone than be with anyone else. I did not make our relationship easy by going almost 2000 miles away to veterinary school and he stuck by my side through it all. You can't find a man like that anymore and I am not letting go.

Dating Apps Done Right

Our Story

Our first trip together was Las Vegas where we explored the city and met Kari’s family nearby. 

Las Vegas 

We ventured to Charleston to explore Fort Sumter, the city, and zip line.

Charleston, SC

Kari on her first camping trip upstate NY. 

Camping

Kari and I spending time together with Moose in St Kitts

St Kitts 

Despite my busy work schedule, we got to celebrate Christmas together. 

Christmas

We saw many mansions on the coast of Rhode Island. 

Rhode Island 

She Said Yes!

Photos

Aleks has been many things to me over the course of our 28 year friendship. From neighbor to classmate to best friend and now maid of honor. I was so happy when she said yes and I can't imagine having anyone else by my side when Christian and I say I do! 

Aleksandra

Matt and I shared a room growing up and became really close. He was very involved in hockey growing up and took an interest in civil engineering which he now works. I am honored he said yes to being my best man.

Matt

On the far away island of St. Kitts, a lost New Yorker with no decent baconeggncheese (yes, it is one word) in sight, heard a familiar sound. The sound of a thick NY accent and there was Rachel. Without Rachel keeping me sane and  motivated, life at vet school would have been even more of a nightmare. Thank you for being there for me then and now as my bridesmaid!

Rachel

Eric is my older brother who we could always rely on growing up. Always friendly and willing to help. He’s also a connoisseur of wine and good food. I’m grateful he’s able to stand by my side on my wedding day. 

Eric

I was introduced to Jess through Christian since they were friends in college and I could not be more grateful for all the help and advice she offered. I can't wait to spend a few weeks learning from her and swapping stories about Christian. I am so glad I gained such an amazing woman as a friend!

Jess

One of my younger brothers but always strives to act like the older brother. He has a nurturing nature which is reflected in his current career of physical therapy. We always love to joke about how he “knows everything” and root for the Rangers when he’s home. 

Luke

I always pictured Brooke as my flower girl when I got married but she is no longer that little girl who spoke such confident gibberish. She has grown into a beautiful, kind, and incredibly talented young woman. I could not imagine my wedding without my niece. Love you Brooke more than words can express and I am so proud of who you have become!

Brooke

The youngest of my brothers and the one I can share my hobbies with the most. He has many interests but probably highest among them is his interest of ancient history. He’s a brother I can confidently share things with and am grateful he will be with me to celebrate my wedding. 

We are so happy that Christian's niece, Grace, will be our flower girl. She is growing up to be such a beautiful and kind hearted young lady. I look forward to being her aunt and watching her fulfill her dreams. 

Grace

When I first met Andrew, I couldn't help but love his energy. He runs into a room and you can't help but smile. I love how contagious his zest for life is and I hope he brings his infectious spirit to our wedding. 

Andrew

Since I have been away for so long, it has been difficult to build a friendship with Lucas. He is such a sweet and gentle little man. I am so glad he will be a part of our wedding and our lives. Every moment I was able to spend with him, has meant so much and I can't wait to see the person he will become. 

Lucas

Wedding Party

Q + A

Comfort Inn Syosset-Long Island

Holiday Inn Plainview-Long Island by IHG

This hotel is not a part of the hotel block but is a good option.

Hilton Garden Inn Melville

Days Inn by Wyndham Woodbury Long Island

Courtyard Republic Airport Long Island/Farmingdale

The Fox Hollow

Using this link for wedding guests leads to a 25% discount on the rental!

Budget Car Rental

Travel

Fun place to go walk, hike, and bike through wooded trails near the reception venue. Beautiful area. Connected to the Green Belt trail running from Cold Spring Harbor to Massapequa. 

Stillwell Woods Preserve

The Old Bethpage Village Restoration is a 209-acre recreated living museum village in Old Bethpage, New York. The village opened in 1970 with dozens of historic structures that had been saved from demolition by Nassau County. Costumed actors provide demonstrations of 19th-century life. It is the site of the annual Long Island Fair. The village came into existence in 1963, when Nassau County acquired the Powell property, a 165-acre farm located on the Nassau-Suffolk border.

Old Bethpage Restoration Village

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

The American Airpower Museum, is an aviation museum located on the former site of Republic Aviation at Republic Airport in East Farmingdale, New York. It maintains a collection of aviation artifacts and an array of aircraft spanning the many years of the aircraft factorys history. The museum is one of relatively few worldwide that actually flies historic aircraft. It operates an original Republic P-47D fighter among others in its airworthy fleet.

American Air Power Museum

The Bethpage Black Course is a public golf course on Long Island, New York, the most difficult of the five courses at Bethpage State Park. In 2002, the Black Course became the first publicly owned and operated course to host the U.S. Open, which returned in 2009. Bethpage Black hosted The Barclays, the event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs in late August, in 2012, in 2016 and is scheduled to host again in 2021, and 2027. Bethpage Black opened in 1936, designed by noted golf architect A.W.

Kari & Christian