Mordecai Beverage Company

Rehearsal Dinner

Welcome Meet and Greet at Mordecai Beverage Company

Saint Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Melrose Knitting Mill

Reception

We appreciate your support of our union and are excited to celebrate with you. Given limited seating arrangements, we are only able to accomodate guests named on the invitations. Thank you for celebrating with us!

Our Wedding

This story began just over five years ago. A guy noticed a girl at the gym. She noticed him too. The guy did a brave thing. He introduced himself to the girl at the gym while she was with a friend. He invited her to meet for coffee. It seemed there could be more. He invited her to go ice skating on a freezing DC night. They skated in a rink surrounded by giant sculptures. There, in a city that is a monument to things great and enduring, their story began. These pictures mark the constellation of that story, moments big and small. Adventures across hikes, at concerts, on bike rides, at wineries, Lydia's first (and only) 5k, eating our way through India (and everywhere else in between), birdwatching, Christmas sweaters, finding a home, fixing a home, a proposal... These five years and moments with all of you are our beginning. We're so excited to celebrate this story with you in August.

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Airbnb & VRBO

Raleigh has a number of Airbnb and VRBO options that are great for those traveling in a group. Anywhere you stay in Raleigh will be a short Uber or Lyft ride away from the church and reception venue. We recommend staying in either North Raleigh (near North Hills) or anywhere in the northern part of the downtown area. Areas in southeast and southwest Raleigh are still considered up and coming and are not as walkable by night.

Hotels

Hotel block reservation link: https://be.synxis.com/?&amp;hotel=8569&amp;group=3993519&amp;arrive=2023-08-18 This hotel is conveniently located across from our reception venue. Free self parking is available onsite. Hotel block rate is available until July 18.

The Longleaf Hotel

The North Hills area of Raleigh is a premier dining and restaurant district. Restaurants, high-end boutiques, department stores, and cafés are all a few steps in any direction. This area is conveniently located just a short Uber/ Lyft ride between the ceremony and receptions venues.

Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel

Hyatt House Raleigh North Hills

Courtyard by Marriott Raleigh Midtown

Candlewood Suites Raleigh Crabtree an IHG Hotel

This hotel is in the heart of the downtown Raleigh bar district and a short walk away from the reception venue. Given that it is in a bar district, some noise may carry up to the rooms on weekend evenings.

Hampton Inn &  Suites Raleigh Downtown

Accomodation

Breakfast

The Flying BiscuitOne of our top breakfast spots! Get there early or there will inevitably be a wait (tip: call ahead to put your name down. Warm, gooey biscuits with apple butter are served with every meal - a real southern treat. Try Lydia’s favorite: southern eggs Benedict with the grits. Raleigh Morning TimesThis downtown venue is a local favorite. Biscuits and cheese grits are a staple (noticing a theme here?). A great spot if you want a delicious meal on the go. Big Ed’sAnother delicious local favorite with more biscuits. If you’re brave (or hungover), considering the pancake challenge… warning: it’s not for the faint of heart. Two locations to choose from depending on where you’re staying. Morning RollsSmall local spot with our favorite cinnamon rolls and sweet/savory breakfast sandwiches. Highly recommend asking about the monthly special cinnamon roll as the owner/chef always has some delicious tricks up his sleeve. Beasley’s Chicken + HoneyWe haven’t been here yet because the line is always too long! If you can get here early enough, this is a staple in Raleigh that we’ll get to one day…

Lunch + Dinner

Gym TacoFood truck in North Raleigh near Costco with other brick and mortar locations, this some pretty excellent Mexican food. Adam prefers the burrito and al pastor taco while Lydia gets the quesadilla. Make sure to ask for some cups for their salsas! The North Raleigh truck will trade places with another truck called Mr. Burro in the mornings which serves really great breakfast burritos but make sure to get a side as well. Chido TacoThis is the ultimate quesabirria station. We’ve been here so many times we’re embarrassed to admit it and all of those that we’ve brought there have given it great reviews. It gets busy but there is a lot of seating outside and if you’re waiting around then grab a drink at the bar! Longleaf Swine or Sam Jones BBQIf you’ve got the itch for some ‘cue, we recommend these places and while you’re there try the NC sauces. Adam likes the vinegar, but mustard-based will also be there. Skip the cornbread at Same Jones unless you’re feeling adventurous since it won’t be what you expect, but they have plenty of other great sides to choose from. Morgan St Food Hall or Transfer Co Food HallCafeteria-style restaurants with many different food options if your group can’t agree on where to go! We prefer Transfer Co. if we had to make a choice but both will get the job done and have a fun atmosphere. Benny Capitale’sFor those that have spent any time in Blacksburg, VA after 2011, you’ll know the name “Benny’s.” The chain began in a small building in downtown Blacksburg offering massive pizzas with lines around the block and expanded into Downtown Raleigh. This is one of the few later-night food options closing at 1a on weekend nights. Special note for the late-nightersLate-night food options are pretty slim so make sure you plan accordingly and have some emergency munchies if needed. Here are some options you might consider: - Benny Capitales- Flying Saucer (Dive bar but good bar food that hits the spot)

Bars and Breweries

You’ll be able to trip and fall into a brewery anywhere you are in Raleigh but here are some of our favorites: - Lynwood Brewing Concern (the one closer to downtown)- Crank Arm (bike-themed dive bar)- State of Beer- Raleigh Beer Garden (Huge place with many beers to choose from, also has corn hole in the back area)- Clouds Brewing (has good food)- Wye Hill (a bit out of the way, but super awesome view of Raleigh)- Flying Saucer (dive bar with good food)- Watts and Ward (Cool speakeasy-type ambiance) While we fully expect everyone will be resting up for our big day, if you find yourself out for a night on the town there are some places we recommend avoiding at certain times so send us a text and we’ll be happy to sort you out!

Cafés and Coffee

Jubala CoffeeWith locations around the Triangle, this is the tried and true coffee shop with great coffee and delicious food. We love the breakfast sandwiches here but you can’t go wrong with any of the food on the menu. NoRa CafeIt’s a bit of a hike outside of Downtown Raleigh but easily Adam’s favorite coffee shop in the area. Serving excellent coffee and English muffin breakfast sandwiches from a local bakery, it will get you back on your feet or start your day on the right foot. HeirloomIf you prefer tea or find yourself in the Warehouse District, stop in here to get your tea or coffee. You won’t be disappointed. Cup a JoeThis is another Raleigh staple closer to NC State campus if you need a quick pick me up

Activities

UmsteadIf you’re feeling adventurous or just need see some nature, check out Umstead. Super close to Raleigh, Umstead offers some good hiking for any difficulty level. Parking lots can fill up quickly on weekends so try the Glenwood Ave entrance where there is more parking. Local ParksIf hiking isn’t your thing but you still need some fresh air and greenery check out these parks: - Pullen Park- Shelly Lake Park (where the big proposal happened)- JC Raulston Arboretum- Dorothea Dix- Cedar Hill/Kentwood disc golf courses Greenway TrailsIf you want to take a bike ride or take a casual stroll on a rail trail, there is a huge network of paved trails running through the city and suburbs. We both enjoy hitting the Neuse River Trail in particular. ShoppingYou’ll find a good number of boutiques that are housed in some of Raleigh’s historic buildings in both the Warehouse District and City Market area and are otherwise fun areas to walk around. MuseumsWhile you won’t find the Smithsonian here in Raleigh, some local favorites are: - North Carolina Museum of Art- Marbles (it’s for kids but adults can have fun there too)- City of Raleigh Museum

Lydia & Adam

Lydia & Adam

L&A

Welcome Meet and Greet at Mordecai Beverage Company

Wedding Day

1:30 PM

Ceremony

4:30 PM–9:30 PM

Reception