Station No. 2

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Sweet n Savory Cafe

Brunch

Waterman's Brewing

Drinks

Lighthouse Beer & Wine

Wrightsville Beach Brewery

Dockside Restaurant

Dinner

Our Wedding

What most people don't know is that Katie +&nbsp;Jared actually first met, briefly, in the summer of 2009 after they'd both graduated from high school for Jared's graduation party. Katie went on to college at the University of South Carolina, while Jared attended college at the University of North Carolina-Wilmington. It only took the universe five years to guide&nbsp;them back towards one another. It was the week of July 4, 2014 + Katie was in Topsail, North Carolina to help her best friend, Alex, explore her new city, Wilmington. Jared, Alex's cousin, had just graduated from UNCW + was taking a year off to work before starting veterinary school in the Fall of 2015. Katie + Alex went over to the James' one afternoon to hang out on the dock + Jared taught Katie how to paddle board. They instantly began to bond over their mutual love for animals (Jared having aspirations to become a vet, Katie being a vegetarian), their sense of adventure + frequent use of&nbsp;sarcasm. Katie followed Alex to Wilmington + soon Katie + Jared were inseparable.&nbsp;Through working together all day,&nbsp;playing with their dogs, pulling pranks on each other, +&nbsp;building couch cushion forts at night, Katie + Jared became the best of friends-much more than just each other's significant other. Once Jared was accepted into veterinary school at Virginia Tech, there was no question that&nbsp;Katie, + all of their dogs, would go too. Since living in Virginia, they've added two beloved furry members to their family.&nbsp;The last four years of living in Virginia has truly&nbsp;built Katie + Jared's relationship into what it is today.&nbsp;While they are eager to move back to Wilmington, they will forever cherish their memories of their first home together + the town that built them.

Love, Katie, Jared + The Herd

 Katie, Jared + The Herd

Our Story

Details

Jared + Jeff go way back, like back to the very beginning of time (at least for Jared). Jackie once said, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it" in reference to Jared + Jeff; Katie said, "more like straight down!"&nbsp;Jared +&nbsp;Jeff are more than son + father, they're the best of friends.

Jeff James

Katie + Alex have been best friends since high school. Where there's one, you'll find the other. If Katie wasn't marrying Jared, she'd be marrying Alex. They'd watch Baby Mama every night, drink Starbucks every morning, and have a closet even Carrie Bradshaw would be envious of.

Jared + Alex are also cousins and introduced Katie and Jared.&nbsp;We would not all be here together without her&nbsp;+ we are forever grateful.

Alex Acevedo

Katie + Kelli have been best friends for nearly 15 years + are continuing to enjoy each other’s unwavering love + support, no matter the distance, through all of life's seasons! Kelli is not only an amazing friend, she's also a successful teacher, wife, and mother - always leading by example for Katie to follow!

Kelli Foster

Jared + Michael met as fraternity brothers at UNCW. After quickly discovering the scary amount of things they had in common, they became instant best friends. Despite being in two different cities, they have managed to keep their priorities straight&nbsp;+ get together for a round of golf + a beverage or two whenever time allows. "Moody" will always be Jared's favorite 80's baby.

Michael Moody

Katie + Rachel met through their significant others (Jared + Bryan), but quickly dominated the foursome with their mutual love of dogs and sarcasm. Rachel's numerous trips to Virginia over the last four years to explore the mountains have made her one of Katie's favorite people in the world.&nbsp;

Rachel Schill

Jared + Bryan came together as if by fate, getting matched as roommates in college at UNCW. What might&nbsp;have been an awkward&nbsp;situation for some, quickly turned into one of the&nbsp;strongest&nbsp;friendships there's ever been. From playing Good-Cop + Bad-Cop at college parties,&nbsp;to becoming Fur-Daddies to the best good boys around, Jared and Bryan's friendship has continued to grow (along with their inside jokes).Even though Jared +&nbsp;Bryan are on the verge of being on opposite coasts, they know the other is only a phone call away.

Bryan Nifong

Katie&nbsp;+ Ali met when Katie moved to Wilmington, but really solidified their best friend relationship once they'd moved away (bless Jared if we ever live in the same city). Their visits may be few, but we always pick up right where we left off - talking over one another, picking on Rachel, and bonding over&nbsp;mutual OCDness.

Ali Goldstein

Brett: The Shake to Jared's Bake. Who would have thought a Tar Heel and a Dookie would become best friends? From middle school to four years as college roommates, Jared + Brett's friendship has remained unwavering (+ inappropriate) no matter how many miles in between. They can always rely on each other to recount any embarrassing moment the other's&nbsp;experienced with the least bit of prodding.

Brett Faulk

That's right, our wedding officiant; because compromise is key to a successful marriage + we both need Matt by our sides on our wedding day. From being the heart + soul of the guy's group (+ making sure they all graduated from UNCW without any stains on their clothes), to Katie's very first friend in Wilmington - there was no question who would marry Katie + Jared.&nbsp;Plus, if you're going to have anyone officiate your wedding, who better than someone who has traveled to more places than the Dos Equis man.

Matt Soles

Wedding Party

Photos

Q + A

Registry

Wilmington International Airport

To book at the Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach and receive the&nbsp;Kay/James Wedding rate, please click <a href="https://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/I/ILMWVHX-KJW-20191018/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG">here</a> or call the hotel and reference the Kay/James Wedding (Group Code: KJW; Sales & Events&nbsp;Coordinator: Casey Price). In order to receive the Kay/James Wedding rate, please be sure to book by 09/15/19!

"Enjoy the coastal elegance of a Wrightsville Beach hotel without paying beach prices. Check into the Hampton Inn & Suites® Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach hotel, just minutes from historic downtown Wilmington and the sun, surf and sand of Wrightsville Beach. Surrounded by popular restaurants and close to local businesses, this is a great place to stay whether you’re here for work or just to get away. Our hotel is located convenient to Mayfaire Town Center Shopping Center, Airlie Gardens and at the gates of Landfall Park."

Hampton Inn & Suites Wilmington/Wrightsville Beach

To book at the Hilton Garden Inn Wilmington Mayfaire Town Center and receive the KayJames Group Code rate, please click <a href="https://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels/north-carolina/hilton-garden-inn-wilmington-mayfaire-town-center-ILMTCGI/index.html">here</a> and enter KAYJAM (in all CAPS)&nbsp;or call the hotel and reference the KayJames Wedding. In order to receive the KayJames Group rate, please be sure to book by 10/04/19!

"Hilton Garden Inn Wilmington Mayfaire Town Center is less than 3 miles from Wrightsville Beach, and located within Mayfaire Town Center, which includes shopping, restaurants and Regal Cinemas Stadium 16 and IMAX. Located 6 miles from Wilmington International Airport and ten minutes from historic downtown, our hotel is near businesses and attractions, making it a convenient choice among Wilmington, NC hotels."

Hilton Garden Inn Wilmington Mayfaire Town Center

Airbnb

VRBO

Travel

Eclectic American (lunch/dinner) Located in the heart of downtown Wilmington and featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, The Copper Penny has something for everyone!

The Copper Penny

American - Burgers (brunch/lunch/dinner) Don’t judge a book by its cover, this quaint little bar (with TVs for the sports fans) has burgers and sandwiches that are sure to cure whatever ails you.

The Fork 'N' Cork

Thai + Vietnamese (lunch/dinner) Katie and Jared’s first (official) date on Katie’s 23rd birthday! Jared’s Favorite Dish - Thundering Dragon in a Cloud Katie’s Favorite Dish - Yellow Curry

Indochine Restaurant

American (brunch/lunch/dinner) With a wide range of Bloody Mary’s + Mimosas available to choose from, indoor and outdoor seating, and being located a breath away from Wrightsville Beach, it’s easy to see why Sweet ‘N’ Savory remains a go-to.

Panamanian (brunch/lunch/dinner) Ceviche's owner has brought his Panamanian upbringing to Wrightsville Beach with his fresh and healthy, creative combinations. Serving up spice, hangover cures, and seafood - Ceviche's is a must stop.

Ceviche's

Seafood Comfort Food (lunch/dinner) Dockside is the place to be with their indoor/outdoor seating, killer location right on the water (accessible by boat), and seafood-heavy menu.&nbsp;

Dockside Restaurant 

Baja-inspired Mexican (lunch/dinner) In our house, if it’s not Tower 7, we don’t eat Mexican food. Barely a block off Wrightsville Beach, enjoy one of their amazing margaritas and dive into the best chips and salsa you’ve ever tried. Jared’s Favorite Dish: Mondo Burrito - wet Katie’s Favorite Dish: Vegeta-Bowl with Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

Tower 7 Baja Mexican Grill

“Pay by the ounce, not by the glass” This bar lets you self pour your beer and/or wine by scanning a wrist band given to you when you check-in. This way you’re able to sample more of a variety! Lots of TVs and seating!

Pour Taproom

Wilmington Brewing Company is locally owned by a husband and wife team, native to Wilmington, with a passion for brewing good beer. Laid-back atmosphere with yard games in the back, what’s not to enjoy?!

Wilmington Brewing Company

Lighthouse Beer and Wine is a locally owned and operated&nbsp;near Wrightsville Beach and carries a wide variety of craft beers and wines. The Beer Garden at Lighthouse is one of our favorite places to unwind - they have coolers with single beers and drafts for purchase to drink in the garden with friends (furry friends welcome)!

Lighthouse Beer and Wine

The place to start the night at the beach.

22 North

The Battleship North Carolina is moored in the river across from downtown&nbsp;Wilmington. Step on to the Battleship North Carolina and explore what daily life was like for the crew that manned her in the Pacific during World War II.

Battleship North Carolina 

Shopping, history, and dining - with free parking, all in the middle of historic downtown Wilmington at The Cotton Exchange. Check out over 30 local shops and restaurants and Wilmington's Walk of Fame!

The Cotton Exchange

Free admission to the Arboretum makes this an easy visit. Take a stroll on the paved walkways through the colorful water features, lush rose gardens, multi-colored koi and catfish ponds and breathe in the fresh air.&nbsp;

The Arboretum: New Hanover County Co-Op Ext

67 acres of breathtaking gardens, walking paths, live oaks, an abundance of azaleas, historic structures, and contemporary sculpture.&nbsp;Airlie Gardens is a member of the North Carolina Birding Trail and provides diverse ecosystems, allowing for a variety of unique&nbsp;wildlife to reside there.

Airlie Gardens

There's nothing like a day at Wrightsville Beach. Driving across the bridges towards the beach always makes us giddy.