Boerner Botanical Gardens

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Our Wedding

Our Lore

We met in August of 2017 as members of the Visual and Performing Arts community at The Colorado School of Mines. We bonded over our love of science, fantasy, and culture and were connected by the hip after our very first dinner together. Our classmates barely had time to ship us, before we officially started dating on August 20th, 2017. We spent the rest of the semester just as obsessed with each other, spending every bit of our free time in tandem.

Love at First Sight

After the first semester, Talitha moved back home for a bit, and eventually settled in Colorado Springs, while Mariyah kept with her studies at Mines. Thusly, beginning our "long distance era". While we tried to visit each other as often as possible, we mostly stayed connected through playing Minecraft and having discord movie nights. Though it was challenging for us, it allowed us time to truly build a strong foundation. When you are averaging three phone calls a day, and countless hours gaming together a week, you get to know everything about each other pretty quickly.

Crafting Something Stable

Eventually Talitha was able to move to Golden to help support Mariyah through the rest of her degree, with loads of free coffee and unimaginable amounts of sushi dates. We finally got to celebrate holidays and birthdays together, as well as the everyday joys of long nights of studying, cooking together, and waiting for news on internships. The years we lived in Golden together are also the years we both got to visit each other’s hometowns for the first time. The years where we both felt like we didn’t just become parts of each other’s lives, but each other’s families. Golden is where we got to watch each other grow up into the people we are today.

Reconnected

Summer of 2021 Mariyah graduated from Mines and we set off together to start our lives in Seattle. Mariyah started work at Microsoft, and her family and friends had the time of their lives showing Talitha around Seattle. We settled into living together with game nights, weekly magic meetups, and even more free coffee from Talitha’s barista job.

Washington Bound

In spring of 2022, Mariyah came out as trans to Talitha and started embracing her true self in the months to come. Unfortunately, during the same time Talitha got incredibly sick and needed constant support. While Talitha was battling hospital visits, Mariyah was battling her own struggles. Luckily by the end of that summer both of us were able to emerge stronger than we were before, thanks to the love and support of everyone around us. After going through those challenges together, we both realized we couldn’t imagine facing them without each other.

Butterflies

In fall of 2023 we brought home our Max. Known by many names like Maximilian, Maxy Maxy, My Son, Mr. Max and ParthiMax, he’s brought endless joy and mischief into our home.

A New Additon 

Talitha proposed to Mariyah in a garden in Seattle in Spring of 2024, surprising her with a day of museum visits, build-a-bear, and a lovely dinner with friends and family. Later that Spring Mariyah proposed back to Talitha, by surprising her with Taylor Swift Eras tour tickets and popping the question during the song Lover.

Like Forever, Forever?

We’re so excited to embark on our next adventure of Married life. Mariyah is still working at Microsoft, while also working as an advocate for trans and queer people in the workplace. Talitha is working on her college degree (finally) in Anthropology at The University of Washington and plans to work in archival work when she graduates. We still play Minecraft together, we still have sushi dates, and we still can’t imagine any other path for our lives.

Forging Ahead

Photos

Andrew Williams

Violetta Laurance

Gabe Hohman

Walker Gray

Caroline Pitten

Carter Fowler

Ashley Manley

Aria Gudal

Edward Gudal 

Julia Schupbach

Becca Petersen

Charles Ricchio 

Risky Gudal and Katie Fite

Wedding Party

Ultimate Formal Attire Shopping Guide

25 Hand-Picked Formal Guest Dresses

Tux vs. Suit: What's the Difference?

Less formal than black tie. Florals and colorful pastels encouraged!

Dress Code

Q + A

Best Western Plus Milwaukee Airport Hotel & Conference Center

Travel

Milwaukee has a rich culinary history with multiple opportunities to taste a vast array of global and local cuisine. We've highlighted a few of the quality places near the airport, however, if you have the opportunity to visit Milwaukee's fabulous Historic Third Ward and Walker's Point, you will find some of the best the city has to offer. Additionally, Downtown, the Lower East Side, Riverwest and the Menomonee Valley have equally spectacular food options for every pallet. When it comes to watering holes, there are options everywhere! You must check out the local craft brews, including New Glarus, Lakefront Brewery and Sprecher, which has amazing sodas and beer! Also, Wisconsin has a collection of wineries that have produced quality vintages from Door County to The Wollersheim Winery. Options abound for every taste. There are plenty of coffee shops to fill your caffeine needs in multiple ways. With all the many options to quench your thirst, if you leave without tasting a Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned, it is totally your loss!

Located inside the Best Western Hotel. Voluntary meet and greet location for Gudal / Fite Wedding guests. Friday, April 17, 3:00 PM - 10:00 PM.

Aviator Sports Bar & Grille

Absolutely must visit for some of the best frozen custard and good eats in Wisconsin!Huge Jackman just visited here in December 2025!!

Kopp's Frozen Custard

Truly a wonderful place for lunch or dinner! Authentic Mexican food with a great vibe! Across the street from the Best Western Hotel Airport.

Jalapeño Loco | Oaxacan & Regional Mexican Cuisine

This brunch restaurant has a wonderful mix of Mexican breakfast food and more, in a clean, cozy, friendly atmosphere. Newer to Milwaukee, but already a local favorite!

Axolotl Café

Delicious authentic Middle-Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine. One of the best places Milwaukee has to offer.

Lebnani house

Check out the oldest tavern still operating in Wisconsin! Just down the road from The Best Western Hotel Airport!

Landmark 1850 Inn | Milwaukee’s Oldest Tavern

Sprecher Brewing Company

In the Milwaukee Area, you will not find yourself bored, with all there is to see and do. If you have some down time before, after or in-between the I do's and the lovely brides, check out some of the beauty of Lake Michigan and some of these exciting sites.

Harley-Davidson Museum®

Milwaukee County Zoo

Milwaukee Art Museum

One of the many beautiful Milwaukee county parks, with exquisite views of Lake Michigan, beach access and multiple activities ongoing year round.

Veterans Park

Milwaukee Public Museum

Mitchell Park Domes Horticulture Conservatory

If you are looking to play some golf and enjoy the beauty of Wisconsin and the shores of Lake Michigan, this is the public course to check out. Additionally, if you are looking for a short, easy hike, you must visit Seven Bridges inside Grant Park.

Grant Park Golf Course

Our gorgeous venue, The Boerner Botanical Gardens are attached to this public golf course with a championship layout and lake vistas.

Whitnall Park Golf Course

Potawatomi Casino Hotel | Milwaukee

Things to Do

Registry

WELCOME TO MILWAUKEEAs most guests are arriving at various times, we have included a flexible itinerary as a courtesy. We encourage you to enjoy all the amenities offered at the Best Western or other location you are staying. Each room comes with a set number of wristbands for the lovely indoor pool and hot tub. There is also an onsite gym. The greater Milwaukee and Racine Area also has a fantastic assortment of places to see and eat! Check out the "Things to Do" heading for a list of ideas of favorite restaurants, activities and places of interest in the area! THURSDAYNo wedding activities planned. Feel free to explore the area with friends and family! FRIDAYMorning*Breakfast is included with your stay at The Best Western or enjoy a morning meal at a local place of your choosing. *Lunch is also an "on your own" endeavor. Afternoon/Evening* 3:00 pm - 10:30 pmGuests are encouraged to meet, hangout and share a drink or bite at the AVIATOR SPORTS BAR &amp; GRILLE, located inside the Best Western Hotel. (Wedding party members will be able to join before any time until 3:30 pm and after 9:00 pm, after their obligations are complete.) Wedding Party will be meeting at the Boerner Botanical Gardens from 4-6 pm for rehearsal and decorating, followed by dinner from 6:30 - 8:30 pm at Jalapeno Loco . SATURDAY3:30 pm Guests Arrival Guests should plan to arrive at Boerner Botanical Gardens no later than 3:30 pm, in order to be seated, and enjoy a drink before the ceremony begins.4:00 pm CeremonyImmediately following the ceremony, family members will be asked to please remain at the ceremony site for a few pictures, before joining the rest of the guests for Hors d'oeuvres and Cocktails.4:30-6:00 pm Cocktails and Hors d'oeuvres6:00-8:00 pm Dinner and Dessert8:00-11:00 pm Merriment Continues with Dancing and Late-Night Snacks SUNDAY8:00 am - 12:00 pm Farewell BrunchBest Western Conference RoomStop in, wish a final farewell to the lovely couple and grab a bite to eat for your travels home

Weekend Itinerary For Guests

Tune in From a Land Far Away

If you were unable to attend in person, please tune in to the livestream at the link below for the ceremony! the stream will start a few minutes before the ceremony at 4:00pm CST. <a href="https://live.fite.family/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://live.fite.family/</a>

Livestream

Share Your Photos of the Big Day with Us

We would love for you to share your moments and memories with us! Please share any photos you want to share with us here: <a href="https://albums.memento.com/talandryawedding" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://albums.memento.com/talandryawedding</a>

Mariyah & Talitha

Mariyah & Talitha

Wedding Party