The Night Before

Wedding Day

Our Wedding

Thanks to Brandon Jones (husband of Maid of Honor, Abigail Jones) becoming an F-22 pilot and going through the formal training course at Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, FL, Kate and Ryan crossed paths one weekend in December of 2021 while Kate was visiting Abby and Brandon in FWB. At the time, Ryan had just arrived at Eglin to start his role as an F-22 instructor pilot and Brandon was one of his students. Following the squadron Christmas party, the students went to a bar with some of the instructor pilots (and by some, we mean just one, Ryan Gourley himself). Brandon and Abby brought Kate along to the bar where the only instructor pilot in the room got her attention for the rest of the evening and what turned out to be the rest of her life! Kate and Ryan would like to emphasize the serendipitous nature of their joining in Fort Walton Beach. The area is a special place to the Gourley Family as it is where Joanna and Warren Gourley (Ryans paternal grandparents) built their legacy. The US Air Force brought the Gourleys to the area in the 70s and it is where the legacy has strengthened ever since. Ryan spent four years in Alaska for his first F-22 assignment and was supposed to start his second assignment in 2021 at Langley AFB in Virginia. However, fate stepped in and his orders were changed; in Fall of 2021 it was off to Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach. Brandon and Abby were living in FWB for a few short months while Brandon went through F-22 training, a time that aligned perfectly with Ryans arrival and ultimately Kates spur-of-the moment visit that one weekend in December of 2021. Given the strong meaning behind Fort Walton Beach, the Bride and Groom felt it was only right to hold their wedding right down the road from where they met, at the residence of Ryan’s Grandma, Joanna Gourley, who is a long-standing resident and valued member of the town! We are so excited to have all of our loved-ones come to Fort Walton Beach to celebrate!

One evening in Fort Walton Beach, FL.... 

Our Story

Photos

Abigail Jones

Tamara Lalovic

Lauren Richards

Chase Hinterleiter

Linsey Grindle

Stacy Theilken

Tiffany Kraft

Jason Dowell

Tom “Sonic” McKenna

Rob Hollister

Michael “Fury” Fallon

John Grindle

Matt Theilken

Mike Kraft

Daryl Hamel

Wedding Party

Q + A

Located in Fort Walton Beach, roughly 10 minute drive from wedding venue. Discounted room block available from Thursday May 2 to Monday May 5. Guests can make reservations through the below link, or call the hotel directly and mention the Nalevanko-Gourley wedding. Limited rooms available! <a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1690483257015&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1690483257015&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink</a>

Residence Inn by Marriott Fort Walton Beach

Located in Shalimar of the Fort Walton Beach area, just around the corner from the wedding venue. Discounted room block available from Thursday May 2 to Monday May 5. Guests can make reservations through the below link, or call the hotel directly and mention the Nalevanko-Gourley wedding. Limited rooms available! <a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1690483257015&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1690483257015&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink</a>

TownePlace Suites by Marriott Fort Walton Beach-Eglin AFB

As the Destin/Fort Walton Beach area is a popular vacation spot, there are an abundance of condominiums/homes available for short-term rental.

Airbnb

Beach Weekend is a local property manager that provides short-term rentals primarily to accommodate larger parties. Suggest using should you wish to rent an accommodation larger than a condominium.

Beach Weekend

For those seeking a five-star option, the Henderson Beach Resort is located in Destin and is roughly 30 minutes from Fort Walton Beach.

Henderson Beach Resort

Directly located in Fort Walton Beach

Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport

1 hour and 15-minute drive to Fort Walton Beach

Pensacola International Airport

1 hour and 30-minute drive to Fort Walton Beach

Northwest Florida Beaches (ECP) International Airport

Travel and Accomodations

Outdoor, casual restaurant on the water. This is one of our go-to places. Best grouper sandwich ever and the aesthetic is dreamy

The Gulf on Okaloosa Island

Sunset bowls is Acai Bowl food truck parked amongst two other food trucks (coffee and breakfast/brunch selections) in an old car wash parking lot/building converted to an outdoor hangout spot. A great place to start your morning!

Sunset Bowls

A classic southern casual seafood eatery. We would go once a week while living down in FWB.

Stewby's Seafood Shanty

One of Destin's most popular spots during the months of May through September. The sandbar known as “Crab Island” is large enough for hundreds of boats, kayaks, and waverunners to anchor down. An early afternoon on Crab Island is never a bad time:)

Crab Island

One of our favorite dive bars in Destin - always have live music. Again, never a bad time.

Boathouse Oyster Bar

Always cool to explore the history of the US Airforce!

Air Force Armament Museum

Beach Weekend offers various services throughout Fort Walton Beach, including boat rentals and pickleball!

Kate + Ryan