Detroit Princess Riverboat

The Night Before

The Wedding

Old St. Mary's Catholic Church

Ceremony

The Colony Club Detroit

Cocktail Hour

Dinner

I Do BBQ

Our Wedding

Kathy and Ethan’s journey began at the University of Michigan, where they were both members of the College Republicans. Kathy often gave speeches in front of the members during her duties as vice chair, and Ethan couldn’t help but admire her confidence and passion. During the start of COVID-19, their friendship deepened as Ethan and Kathy would quarantine together and hang out for days at a time. They spent those days having wine nights, watching movies, and staying up until 3 a.m. talking. One particularly funny moment happened when Kathy ordered Joe’s Pizza during a snowy evening (it was very expensive to have it delivered), and Ethan continuously refused to eat any, pretending he wasn’t hungry—later admitting it was because he’s lactose intolerant lol! When Kathy graduated, Ethan helped her move back to Florida, as friends, because he was still in denial that he was in love with her. During his short time in Florida, Kathy showed Ethan around her hometown and stopped by Gatorland to pet goats and feed alligators. Little did she know, Ethan had finally made a pivotal decision while watching Kathy get called up to hold a tranchula during the animal show. Later that day, they headed to St. Cloud Lakefront, where Ethan finally asked Kathy to be his girlfriend. Though he had promised himself he wasn't going to get into a relationship during college, he knew for sure he wanted Kathy to be his. She laughed and said, “Are you sure?” That evening, they had a celebratory dinner at Crabby Bill’s, where they were offered free oysters—now one of their favorite delicacies. Soon after, Kathy and Ethan began a long-distance relationship between Florida and Michigan. Although the distance was challenging, the pandemic presented a silver lining: Ethan's online classes and cheap flights gave them the perfect opportunity to see each other often and deepen their bond. They made the most of their time together, creating unforgettable memories. After Ethan graduated in the Spring, they moved to Washington, D.C., together to start their careers. But after two years, Ethan moved back to Michigan for work while Kathy stayed in D.C., beginning another period of long distance. While being apart wasn’t easy, it only strengthened their connection, teaching them resilience and the importance of cherishing their time together. Their love story reached a new milestone during a European vacation in 2024. They climbed the Swiss Alps, enjoyed beer in Germany, and biked around The Sound of Music's filming locations in Austria. In Croatia, their final destination, Ethan surprised Kathy with a Sailboat adventure and asked her to marry him on August 30th—a perfect ending to a magical trip and the beginning of an exciting new chapter. Kathy and Ethan are thrilled to celebrate their love story with you and can’t wait for what’s next!

Our Story

Photos

Important Information

BLACK TIE OPTIONAL(Women: The Church asks that shoulders and knees be covered. Please bring a shawl for the wedding ceremony) Rich earth tones: deep olive, moss green, terracotta, marigold, rust, and chocolate Warm neutrals: taupe, champagne, bronze, and muted gold Jewel tones: burgundy, forest green, copper, and deep plum Occasional soft highlights: creamy beige and sage Overall Aesthetic Textures like satin, silk, chiffon, and tulle encouragedFormalwear with organic movement — long dresses, sleek suits, and soft draping

Attire

Travel

Dress Code

{PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE PAGE AS THERE IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT WALK TIMES AND PARKING} HOTEL ROOM BLOCK We have rooms blocked off at TWO HOTELS. Please refer to "Zhu Covert Wedding" when booking. OPTION 1: <a href="https://www.atheneumsuites.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Atheneum Suite Hotel</a> (2 queens and king options) BOOK BY: JUNE 1, 2026 RATES:July 2nd $219 - $259July 3rd $269 - $309 (wedding day)July 4th $269 - $309 CAR VALET: $25 per night You MUST call them at (800) 772-2323 to secure the rate. This block covers July 2-4. ------------------------------------------ OPTION 2: <a href="https://ash.world/hotels/the-siren" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Siren Hotel</a> (full &amp; queen options) BOOK BY: JUNE 4, 2026 RATES:July 2nd - 6th $259 - $289 CAR VALET: $42 per night You MUST book through <a href="https://app.mews.com/distributor/cf8bbd50-9110-4fb3-9796-b32700351eaf?mewsAvailabilityBlockId=c65588b7-5001-461a-b09f-b38b01287cd6&amp;mewsStart=2026-07-02&amp;mewsEnd=2026-07-06" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">THIS LINK</a> to secure the rate. This block covers July 2-6. ------------------------------------------ Other Hotel Options: <a href="https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dtwkd-hotel-david-whitney-autograph-collection/overview/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hotel David Whitney</a> (where we're staying)<a href="https://detroitfoundationhotel.com/?utm_source=google-gbp&amp;utm_medium=organic&amp;utm_campaign=gbp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Detroit Foundation</a> (classic and masculine)<a href="https://www.shinolahotel.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Shinola</a> (clean and wood accents) All hotels listed are all within an 8 min drive or 20 min walk from the festivities. ------------------------------------------ TRANSPORTATION Guests are responsible for their own transportation. Parking is available. Ceremony Parking: There is an outdoor parking lot on the side of the church. Please let the parking attendant know that you're here for a church wedding. Reception Parking: Comerica Garage - 50 W. Montcalm St.A QR code is REQUIRED to access free garage parking. Please download this <a href="https://pasteboard.co/UAR4gl0A8PQK.png" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">QR CODE</a> onto your phone for easy access. Hotel Room Blocks &gt;&gt;&gt; Old St. Mary's: The Siren - 5 min walkThe Atheneum - 12 min walk Old St. Mary's &gt;&gt;&gt; The Colony Club: 22 min walk The Colony Club &gt;&gt;&gt; Hotel Room Blocks:The Siren - 10 min walkThe Atheneum - 19 min walk

Hotels/Transportation

Q + A

Registry

Highway 1, also known as the Pacific Coast Highway, offers a breathtaking scenic drive along the California coast, with iconic stops like&nbsp;Big Sur, Bixby Bridge, and Ragged Point, known for its dramatic coastline and ocean views.&nbsp;We recommend starting the drive in the Carmel Highlands area near Monterey&nbsp;and drive south towards San Simeon near Cambria.

Highway 1

McWay Falls is an 80-foot-tall waterfall on the coast of Big Sur in central California that flows year-round from McWay Creek in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, about 37 miles south of Carmel, into the Pacific Ocean. During high tide, it is a tidefall, a waterfall that empties directly into the ocean. The route can be accessed&nbsp;from the south parking lot or the stairs near the entrance kiosk. The trail passes under the highway and then heads north around McWay Cove, overlooking the waterfall and beach that was created from a 1983 landslide.

McWay Falls

Folktale Winery &amp; Vineyards, located in Carmel Valley, California, is a winery and event venue known for its sustainably farmed vineyards, beautiful setting, and focus on creating a memorable experience with award-winning wines, food, and hospitality.&nbsp;

Folktale Winery & Vineyards

Garrapata State Park has two miles of beach front, with&nbsp;coastal hiking and a 50-foot climb to a beautiful view of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, a federal marine protected area. The park offers diverse coastal vegetation with trails running from ocean beaches into dense redwood groves. The park also features outstanding coastal headlands at Soberanes Point. Sea lions, harbor seals and sea otters frequent the coastal waters and California gray whales pass close by during their yearly migration.

Garrapata State Park

We suggest all of our guests to stay at a hotel in Carmel! Carmel-by-the-Sea is special for its&nbsp;unique blend of fairytale charm, artistic spirit, and natural beauty, featuring a one-square-mile village with whimsical architecture, a white-sand beach, and a strong sense of community, all within walking distance.&nbsp;

Carmel-by-the-Sea

Things to Do

Please do not feel obliged to buy us a gift; all that we are expecting is YOU! But if you would like to give something, a contribution towards our house and honeymoon would be greatly appreciated! We will have a designated table for gifts and cards at the reception. You can also send us a gift via Zelle/Venmo/ApplePay.

Kathy & Ethan