The Mountain Room at Mount Southington

Reception

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Residence Inn by Marriott Southington

Brunch

Our Wedding

Like so many modern fairytales, ours began with…a dating app. Nothing says meant to be like awkward bios, questionable profile pictures, and hoping the person you’re about to meet is actually the one in the photos. Thankfully, he was, and even better in person.To make that first date happen, he actually had to pencil me into his weekend plans because that same day, he was supposed to go golfing with a friend. Clearly, I was already a priority. Our first date was over coffee, and before we even made it to the counter, he hit me with the most unexpected question: “How tall are you?” When I told him, he grinned and said, “Great, that means I’ll still be taller than you, even if you wear high heels.” (Spoiler: he is... just barely.) Not exactly your typical icebreaker, but it worked. We both laughed, and from that moment on, the conversation never stopped.A week later, he left for a family hunting trip, so we didn’t get to see each other again right away, but we stayed in touch nonstop. From that point on, everything just felt easy. One of the moments that made me realize how deeply he cared was after a road trip to visit friends. I came down with a virus, and he took such sweet care of me without hesitation. That’s when I knew this was real love. Since then, we’ve shared countless inside jokes, lazy Sundays, spontaneous adventures, and more memories than we can count.And then came the proposal, a scene straight out of a Hallmark movie. He surprised me by bringing me back to the city I used to live in and took me for a walk on the downtown boardwalk. Just as the sun started to set, he got down on one knee right there on the boardwalk and asked me to marry him. I said yes through happy tears, and then we took a boat across the water to celebrate at a restaurant where my family and friends were waiting to surprise me. It was thoughtful, romantic, and perfectly us.So, Jared dragged me back to his home state of Connecticut, something about a job and ‘adulting’ or whatever. I guess I followed him for the career move… but mostly for the pizza, the cozy autumn vibes, and all the charming little vineyards I’ve totally fallen for (even if I’m still trying to figure out how wine tastings became a full-blown weekend sport here).Now, we’re getting ready for the next chapter, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate with the people who’ve been cheering us on all along.

Our Modern Fairytale

Our Story

Photos

My sister has been a part of my life from the very start, sometimes close by, sometimes a little distant, but she has always been an important part of who I am. We’ve shared countless family moments, big milestones, and quiet memories that have quietly shaped us both. She just had her first baby boy, and seeing her step into this new chapter of motherhood makes me even more grateful to have her standing beside me as my Matron of Honor. On this day, surrounded by love and new beginnings, I’m so thankful to have her by my side, and I’m really looking forward to the memories we’ll create together in the years ahead. I couldn’t imagine saying “I do” without her.

Jenna Mackenzie

Brent and I have been friends for over 30 years, sharing everything from sports teams to homerooms thanks to our matching last name initials. We've played soccer, baseball, and track together, and traveled across the country visiting friends and checking out new baseball stadiums. Brent was one of the first to welcome me home from the Army, and he's been a constant in my life ever since. From lake houses to Caribbean resorts, we've celebrated countless holidays and vacations together. I’m honored to have him standing beside me as my best man.

Brent Gurski

Thanks to my fiance, I got lucky enough to have Cat come into my life, and I’m so glad she did. We’ve shared laughs, group chats, and plenty of unforgettable moments. She brings such great energy and isn’t afraid to be herself, which always makes things more fun and memorable. One of the things I admire most about her is her huge heart, especially when it comes to animals. She has a soft spot for every furry (or not-so-furry) creature, and it just speaks to how caring and compassionate she truly is. She was with us when we got engaged and she will be with us on our wedding day. I’m really happy she’s part of the crew for this day, and I know she’ll help make it even more special.

Cat Meza

Ricky was one of my first friends in the Army, and we’ve shared a bond forged through years of service and friendship. We met during our initial training, served in the same units in Kentucky, and deployed together to Iraq and Afghanistan. For my entire time in the Army, we were practically inseparable. I had the honor of being his best man nearly 20 years ago, and now I’m proud to have him by my side again. Though life took us in different directions after I got out, reconnecting in Florida felt like no time had passed at all.

Ricky Meza

I met Veronica just last year through my fiancé, and I’m so thankful we connected. We instantly bonded over both moving here for our significant others, and she’s become such an easy, comforting part of my life. She’s so laid-back, genuine, and always up for a good time, whether it’s wedding dress shopping or just hanging out and laughing through the chaos of moving to Connecticut. I feel so lucky to have her as a friend and couldn’t imagine this day without her by my side! I know we’ll have so many more memories and laughs together for years to come!

Veronica Rodriguez Castro

Eric has been a close friend and someone I’ve been able to count on for as long as I can remember. From high school soccer to Spartan Races, he’s always been a teammate and a competitor who pushes me to be better. Whether I was visiting him in Boston or New York, or he was flying down to Florida, Eric never let distance get in the way of our friendship. Since moving back to Connecticut, he’s become an honorary uncle to our pets and is always up for babysitting duty for Penelope and Chloe. Reliable, loyal, and full of energy—Eric’s the kind of friend you’re lucky to have in your corner.

Eric Milne

Wedding Party

Q + A

Reservations can be made directly by calling the hotel at 860-621-4440 or by booking online. Please use the code provided above when making all reservations. Cutoff Date: Friday, May 1, 2026

Courtyard by Marriott Southington

Approximately 30-40 minutes from our hotel.

Bradley International Airport

Travel

Cava Italian Restaurant

Think of this restaurant as the Disney World of Italian restaurants. It’s this massive, upscale spot where every dining room is fully transformed into a different movie set or dreamscape. One room might be the Emerald City from Wicked, while another looks like the Ballroom from Beauty and the Beast. It’s over-the-top, incredibly festive, and the perfect place to go if you want a great meal with a side of 'how-is-this-even-real' decor. Address: 1615 West St, Southington, CT 06489 (~4 minute drive from hotel)Phone: (860) 628-2282Website: <a href="https://www.cavact.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.cavact.com/</a>

Anthony Jacks Wood Fired Grill

If you’re looking for a delicious local bite, we highly recommend Anthony Jack’s Wood Fired Grill! Located right in the heart of downtown Southington, this family-owned gem is one of our favorites for its warm, cozy vibe and incredible wood-fired steaks and seafood. Whether you’re grabbing a drink on the patio or trying their famous Cranberry Chicken, it's a wonderful spot to relax and enjoy the best of the area. Address: 30 Center St, Southington, CT 06489 (~6 minute drive from hotel)Phone: (860) 426-1487Website: <a href="https://www.anthonyjacksrestaurant.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.anthonyjacksrestaurant.com/</a>

The Fire Place

If you have some downtime between wedding events, we highly recommend a visit to The Fire Place. As some people know, Connecticut is famous for its pizza. This spot feels like a local secret, with stone walls, wooden accents, and a crackling fireplace. It’s located right in the heart of town and offers a fantastic selection of craft beers and award-winning specialty pizzas. If the weather is nice, their outdoor patio is nice. Address: 44 Center St, Southington, CT 06489 (~6 minute drive from hotel)Phone: (860) 620-1234Website: <a href="https://www.thefireplacect.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.thefireplacect.com/</a>

Nearby Restaurants

For something high-energy, you have to check out&nbsp;Escapism. It’s a top-tier escape room where you have 60 minutes to solve puzzles in rooms that look like movie sets, think Indiana Jones or a high-stakes heist. Even better,&nbsp;Jared’s co-worker actually owns the place!&nbsp;He’s been awesome enough to give us a&nbsp;discount code&nbsp;for the wedding weekend, so it’s the perfect time to go and see if our family or friends can actually work together to escape!

Escapism Escape Rooms CT

You have to check out&nbsp;Hidden Valley, mini golf,&nbsp;while you’re in town. It doesn't look like much from the street, but once you walk in, it’s like a hidden paradise with&nbsp;8 massive waterfalls, koi ponds, and bridges. It’s easily the most beautiful mini-golf course in the state. It's great for friends, family, &amp; kids.

Hidden Valley Miniature Golf and Waterfront Grille

You have to visit&nbsp;Kinsmen&nbsp;while you're in Connecticut; it's a massive, stunningly renovated 1800s bolt factory&nbsp;with giant ceilings and exposed brick. It feels like a high-end medieval beer hall with a huge outdoor patio. The best part is that Connecticut is world-famous for its pizza &amp; they share a space with&nbsp;Sauced, which makes incredible thin-crust, wood-fired pizzas. Sauced&nbsp;really upholds that reputation. They use a high-heat wood-fired oven to get that perfect char and crispy crust that nails our state’s style. It’s the real deal.

Kinsmen Brewing Company

Things to Do

Registry

We’re so excited to begin our journey together on the open road! To celebrate our marriage, we’re dreaming of traveling in our very own RV. In place of a traditional registry, we’ve created an RV honeymoon fund to help make that adventure possible. If you’d like to contribute, Venmo or Zelle are greatly appreciated, as they avoid processing fees and allow your entire gift to go directly toward our honeymoon adventure. Venmo: @Krista-Marie-27 Zelle: Search 772-240-4841

Krista & Jared

Krista & Jared

Photos