St Francis Church

Wedding Day

Wedding

The Art Factory

Reception

Our Wedding

Alex and I met at backyard BBQ in the summer of 2015. I had just been laid off from my long-time job and was dragged there by a few friends to cheer me up. While mingling, I noticed a cute, loud guy with a strong personality and wondered who he was and what he was yelling about (I still often wonder what he is yelling about ;)). Later that evening, I got encouraged to play beer pong with his now groomsmen, John. Alex took this as an opportunity to move in closer and compliment my beer pong skills. We quickly hit it off, talking up a storm (even taking our FIRST selfie that night!).

In our conversation, he discussed his upcoming trip to Maine concluding in 2 nights in Boston. I mentioned loving Boston and having some free time since being laid off. A crazy idea was proposed. I would meet him in Boston mid-week. A plan otherwise impossible if I had still been at my job. As long as all continued to go well and he wasn’t a serial killer I was in for a little beantown adventure.&nbsp;











Our first date was dinner at Amanda’s in Hoboken. Then a walk to Carpe Diem, where the drinks and the conversation continued to flow. In fact, we were having such a good time, that my friend George, who was coming to meet me after, (Alex had an early bus to Maine in the AM) walked in and left the bar since he did not want to interrupt our fun.











First Date Great: ✔️ Not a serial killer: ✔️&nbsp;











One issue---I had been chosen for everyone’s favorite civic responsibility-Jury Duty. Our fate was left in the hands of the Hudson County Jury selection process. If I was dismissed, I was buying a train ticket to meet Alex in Boston the next morning. If I got selected, it was not meant to be. Thankfully Lady Justice was on our side! &nbsp;We ended up having an epic weekend which included the Sam Adams Brewery (where it all began), a tour of Paul Revere’s house, a Red Sox Game, and taking in the city sites. We both realized this was the beginning of something special.











Four years, hundreds of breweries (an exaggeration, I think), dozens of historic home tours, many baseball games, several colonial cities, and countless laughs later, Alex proposed.











He greeted me at the door after a long day at work. The scene set with champagne and music. Before I could even comprehend what was happening, he got down on one knee and in true Alex fashion said: “You are going to be happy you got your nails done” and then&nbsp;popped the question with the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. I of course said - YES!&nbsp;&nbsp;











After sipping champagne and making some important calls, we went on to recreate that first date, with dinner at Amanda’s and drinks at Carpe Diem to celebrate (minus George).&nbsp;











We can certainly thank layoffs and the Hudson County judicial system for allowing the stars to align in our favor. We can not wait to celebrate with our friends and family and toast the next chapter with a cold beer!

Alex & Kathleen

Our Story

Details

Photos #SayHoorayforAandK

Melissa is Kathleen's oldest sister, first roommate,&nbsp;and&nbsp;Matron of Honor.&nbsp; She is kind, generous, and motherly.&nbsp;She has&nbsp; always taken care of her baby sister and this will be no exception.&nbsp;Kathleen can not imagine her&nbsp;day without her Missy.

Melissa McKay-Daily

Damian is Alex's Best Man&nbsp;and brother.

Damian DeBenedetto

Megan and Kathleen have been best friends since they were four years old. True ride or die besties, they have been through it all. &nbsp;The McKay's consider Megan the 5th sister.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kathleen stood by Megan as her MOH&nbsp;when she was married and her wedding would not be complete without her Meggy Poo.&nbsp;

Megan Stepanchenko

James&nbsp;is Alex's Best Man&nbsp;and brother

James DeBenedetto

Chris is Alex's childhood friend and band-mate.&nbsp;

Chris Coppinger

Kerri is Kathleen's closest sister in age. They are great friends,&nbsp; travel companions, confidants and each&nbsp;others therapists. &nbsp;They have always been the troublemakers of the sisters and hope to bring that level of fun to the wedding. Kathleen is thrilled to have Kerri by her side.

Kerri McKay

Colleen is Kathleen's&nbsp;designer,&nbsp;creative consultant and mostly importantly sister. Colleen is a big part of Kathleen's life and&nbsp;she is excited to plan all the fun details of the wedding with her. There is no way it could happen without her.&nbsp;

Colleen Kerfoot

Michael Schmidt

John Castellano

Caitlin and Kathleen have been best friends for the last 20 years. They have been with each other through the good, bad and ugly.&nbsp; Caitlin is the truest and most giving friend.&nbsp;Kathleen loves her Cakey so much and is beyond happy she will be a part of the wedding.&nbsp;

Caitlin  Cottrell

Nola is Kathleen's oldest niece. She is chatty, funny,&nbsp;smart,&nbsp;and a bit of a nut--just like her Aunt.&nbsp;&nbsp;Kathleen would call her a mini-me except she is 7 inches taller than her!&nbsp;There was no doubt that she would be a big part of the wedding.&nbsp; Kathleen&nbsp;loves her niece so much!

Nola Kerfoot

Sean Feury

Sweet Gwyneth is Kathleen's youngest niece and Goddaughter. She is bright light that loves nothing more than a wedding and to get a new fancy dress.&nbsp;She is thrilled to be promoted from flower girl to Junior Bridesmaid and Kathleen is excited to have her as part of the day.&nbsp; Kathleen loves her niece so much!

Gwyneth Kerfoot

Otis is Alex's nephew and is going to make the cutest ring bearer!

Otis DeBenedetto

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

Parking for&nbsp;&nbsp;Ceremony: Saint Francis Church has two parking lots. One is diagonally across from the church at Third and Jefferson Streets and one is on Madison Street between third and fourth Streets. Guests can also park on the visitor side of the street for up to four hours. Look for the white signs with green letters.

Parking&nbsp;for&nbsp;Reception: The Art Factory:&nbsp;Guests should park at 14 Market Street, across from the Paterson Museum. A trolley will shuttle you to the Art Factory.

PARKING

***HOTEL DETAILS WILL BE UPDATED ONCE A NEW RECEPTION DATE IS SELECTED** We have reserved a room block at the Saddlebrook Marriott for $136+ tax per night. NOTE: This is a $9 per night increase from the March rate.Book Online: Click <a href="https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1569523139720&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink " rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Here</a>Book by Phone: Call 1-800-832-6254 and ask for the McKay DeBenedetto Wedding group rate.Last Day to Book: 7/7/20Check in: 3pmShuttle: We have shuttles escorting guests from the hotel to the Art Factory from 5:15pm-6:00pm.

Kathleen & Alexander

Kathleen & Alexander

Photos #SayHoorayforAandK