Distillery day

Keeneland gathering

Wedding Day

Gratz Park

Ceremony

Limestone Hall

Reception

Our Wedding

Sometime in December 2021, the algorithms that excel at finding new and unique ways to screw up our lives, unscrewed — against all odds — those of two unsuspecting young Kentuckians. On a bright white screen somewhere in the Greater Lexington area, Kathleen ("Katie") Upton was presented with the warm visage of a charming journalist. He seemed interesting. Multi-talented, worldly, not too self-serious. Not too short, I guess (he maintains that if you round up, he's 5'9; that's allowed). A certain joie de vivre to that one. Over in Frankfort, John Austin Horn stopped his doomscroll session short when he spotted a medical student from Danville and... Spain? Interesting enough? Check. Cute enough? Check. She was more than cute enough. Walking into their first date at Greyline Station, he saw her first, from afar. She was so beautiful that he had to veer into the bathroom before she spotted him so he could collect himself. A few breathing exercises and some unnecessary attempts at peeing (like a dog getting ready to go hunting or a runner about to tackle a grueling 5K) and he grew at least calm enough to fake it. He had always thought that when other people told these kinds of stories, that they were exaggerating for the sake of flattery or building a narrative out of an otherwise mundane relationship. Now he believes. She was more than interesting enough. They talked about her time in Spain. They talked about books like "The Master and His Emissary." They talked about growing up in small towns not too far away. They talked about dumb stuff (at least one poop joke was exchanged) and made each other laugh — all the way to Al's Bar, where they beat another couple four times in a row in pool. She was also INTERESTED enough. Interested enough, that is, to overlook a textbook first date blunder. At the apex of the date — jokes landing, strong eye contact and body language, never-ending conversation —Austin got a text from his best friend. Another fellow named Austin (who had texted the other Austin earlier that day encouraging him not to push the date because she "could be [his] wife one day,") wanted to know what he was doing. The Austin in this story, defying all logic and common courtesy governing first dates eggs his friend into joining he and Katie at Al's. Archived text messages reveal that the Austin who should have been focused on his date asked: "Gonna come out?" A response: "You with that girl? Should I come to Al's?" One word: "Ye." They all stood around near the back of the bar for about 30 minutes, not really talking much anymore but exchanging some awkward laughter before calling it a night. Somehow, a second date occurred. Austin Huffman came to that one, too (by design this time). Then a third, a fourth and we're probably working on something like number 279 now. This couple has many people to thank for their journey, but Austin Huffman is first among them.

How it started

Well, they grew to love each other in a way that transcended those first date jitters (and blunders). They started going steady. They got through:- multiple life crises- tragedies of various magnitudes- big ol' tests- adoption of a beloved hound dog- the medical school grind- moving in together- a handful of crazy election seasons- life When asked what he loves about Katie, Austin gave the following reasons ("including but not limited to," etc, etc):- Katie's spirit of inclusion- her big ol' laugh, which involves every part of her body- her "mysterious" eyes- she has very good taste when it comes to design- how much, and how fiercely, she cares about the people she loves- she's very active, just like me- Katie likes to laugh at dumb stuff, just like I do- how prepared she is in all circumstances- she's a complete person, with a lot of different interests, despite the single-minded demands of medicine- she cooks good- she is the most beautiful person (regardless of gender) in the whole wide world When asked what she loves about Austin, Katie gave the following reasons ("including but not limited to," etc, etc):-his way of speaking and telling stories-the manner in which he keeps up with his friends and makes his people feel important and thought of-how his smile lines take up his entire face-his love of music and movies-his banjo and guitar serenades-how active he is/one of the best running partners there ever was, aside from Sulley Upton and Megan Sherwood-his shared love and knowledge of Zelda, and also sports...aka he is the perfect combo of nerd and jock that we've all always wanted-his desire to try new things and see new places-his look of mischief and mischief managed when he's playing a joke on me or a friend, or his poor mother-the way he practices journalism, i.e. he creates a product that people from both sides of the aisle can read and talk about on a shared basis, instead of only speaking within their separate slivers of reality-the fact that he attempts to hold power to account "on the daily"-his ability to engage and spend focused, quality time with me and those around him otherwise-his propensity to match my cackle in tone and volume-the fact that he will be a stellar dad We are here because we lean on each other, we challenge each other and we love each other unwaveringly. We want to do this for the rest of our lives, and we'd love for you all to come down to Lexington to help us celebrate that choice.

How We Got Here

Our Story

Photos

Adam Horn

Megan Sherwood

Aunoy Poddar

Melina Rodriguez Upton

Eli Castle

Kaitlin Snapp

Montana Peavler

Elena Raffay

Michael Shelton

Bradley Firchow

Andrew Sobelsohn

Alexandra Ibewuike

Ravi Maddali

Sydni Anderson

Connor Haseley

Margaux Danby

Christopher Lopez

Sydney Strup

Irene Villani

Wedding Party

Q + A

This hotel is only a few blocks walking from the respective reception venue and the ceremony sites. The Hilton downtown has a courtesy block set for us until September 10th for $229 per night Thursday night through Sunday morning. Please call the Hilton before September 10th to reserve a room at this price. Mention the Upton-Horn wedding.

Hilton Lexington/Downtown

This hotel is right across the street from the reception venue and is only a few blocks walking from the ceremony site itself.

21c Museum Hotel Lexington

This hotel is only a few blocks walking from the respective reception venue and the ceremony sites.

Hyatt Regency Lexington

This hotel is right across the street from the reception venue, and only a few blocks walking to the the wedding ceremony site.

Lexington Marriott City Center

This hotel is one block from the wedding ceremony site and 2 blocks from the reception venue. Make yourself at home in one of the 42 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your pillowtop bed comes with down comforters and premium bedding. Complimentary wireless internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.With a stay at The Sire Hotel Lexington, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, you'

The Sire Hotel Lexington Tapestry Collection by Hilton

This hotel is about a half mile walking in the same direction to the wedding venue and the separate reception venue. It’s a beautiful boutique hotel with two different restaurants and bars.

The Manchester

This hotel is in the same building as the Marriot but is typically less expensive. It is right across the street from the wedding reception venue and a few blocks walking from the wedding venue itself.

Residence Inn by Marriott Lexington City Center

Travel

It's horsey season! The races will be going on at this time, so get your drinkin' suit on and go check out the most beautiful horse track in America. Races run Wed-Sun.

Keeneland Association Inc

Get the double-oaked. Also, reserve your tour well in advance.

Woodford Reserve Distillery

Not a household name, but it's the prettiest distillery in Central KY.

Castle & Key Distillery

Definitely get tickets in advance! Also, if you go make sure to walk around downtown Frankfort.

Buffalo Trace Distillery

Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe

A very nice neighborhood cafe! Open late and usually good low-key live music.

Kenwick Table

The unofficial capital of the local music scene, and a damn fine dive bar to boot.

The Green Lantern

Excellent pizza and very good beer! You'll enjoy this spot as long as you don't mind a crowd.

Katie & Austin

Katie & Austin

Q + A

What's the Plus-1 policy?

Dress code?

Wedding colors?

I saw the page with the recommended activities, but what should I REALLY do in Lexington?

What about the registry?

What about reserved hotel blocks?

What about bringing kids?