Wedding Day

Rusty Pelican

Ceremony & Reception Information

Meet in the Rusty Pelican Lobby at 3:30 for the processional to the CeremonyCocktail Hour at 4:30Love, laughter and dancing to follow at the evening reception at 5:15 For our hotel guests, transportation will be provided from the Double Tree Rocky Point lobby starting at 2:30. Return trips from the Rusty Pelican back to the Double Tree starting at 9pm.If using your own transportation, please be at the Rusty Pelican no later then 3:30.

Our Wedding

The first date was originally scheduled for a Friday night but then accidentally bumped up days earlier. A slight miscommunication of text exchanges was leading to an impromptu meetup.&nbsp;After some deliberation, they both agreed thinking: "Hey, I'm sure we both can dress up for first date impressions but let's rip the band-aid off. After all, it could free up the weekend if things don't go well".&nbsp;The night unfolded beyond expectations and at one point, Matt looked up to pray and whispered "please God, don't let me mess this up."&nbsp;Enjoying each others company, they decided to also keep their Friday reservation. "So, how do you feel?", Matt asks Shannon.&nbsp;"Great, I could have done another five." This being said after spending five days and four nights aboard their boat, "C-Monster".&nbsp;Their vessel now emptied and the dock filled with a month's worth of gear, Matt takes a moment to look out over the water, then turns to survey the situation where Shannon is busy loading up the truck.&nbsp;"Hrm...She's still smiling.&nbsp;That settles that, she's a keeper." Fast forward to the evening of September 1, 2020 at N27°43.340' W082°37.976' the two danced together under a star-filled moonlit sky. What better way to spend an evening together... until Matt jokingly went to the bilge and proclaimed "We're taking on water!".&nbsp;As Shannon whipped around she saw Matt, down on one knee, asking her to be his wife.&nbsp;With a tear in her eye, Shannon replied "Yes"...she then proceeded to ask "So we're not taking on water?" The rest is history... Thank you for supporting us and sharing in our commitment to one another.&nbsp;We're so blessed to have you all in our lives. With Love, Matt and Shan

Our Inspiration Both sets of parents have been happily married for over 46 years. Shannon &amp; Matt look up to their parents for the relationships they have formed and families they have built with each other over the years. A union blessed by God in his light, love and mercy; instilling in these couples love, patience, friendship and trust.

Our Story

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Ali is Shannon's oldest and dearest friend. The two were college roommates at Westfield State and have been "family" for over 20 years.

Jeanette is one of Shannon's best friends/honorary sister. They met at the Dallas Bull and quickly became close friends and dancing divas. They even shared the same last name at one point in time.

Kim is one of the first friends that Shannon met upon her move to Florida. The two have been challenging each other to fulfill their dreams and be the best the best nurses they can be, for the past 12 years.

Jessica is Shannon's Shenanigans partner in crime. The two met in the Emergency Department at the VA five years ago. Along with Matt, the three have formed "the three best friends that anyone could have".

Cindy is Shannon's soul sistah. The two met while deployed to Puerto Rico 3 years ago and have been good friends since...and we can see why...lol

Mickey and Shannon have been friends for over 10 years. He quickly became her ultimate wingman.

Brendan is Shannon's youngest brother, the one she looks up to (literally...lol). We share a common passion for helping others instilled by our parents and the love of God. Although his footprint may be larger then hers, it was her steps he followed into Emergency Medicine.

Friends since High School, Ryan and Matt share a mutual love of fishing, grilling, boating and golf. Although Ryan is a skilled fisherman and golfer, his genius is unquestioned when in command of a charcoal or wood fired grill. Teamed up with his fiancée, Amy, these two make Gulfport, FL Matt and Shannon's go to boating destination. So much so, Matt and Shannon have joked at the idea of renaming their boat from "C Monster" to the "Gulfport Express".

Oh Captain, My Captain! Rusty and Matt were introduced through competitive PHRF sailing. Rusty and his crew were fierce competitors aboard the "Salty Pause" and after several losses Matt finally mustered enough liquid courage to make an introduction. What followed was an unspeakable number of Rum drinks and miles of ocean adventures which have forged their friendship. Rusty and his beautiful bride, Mary Jo are always on a new adventure and we're blessed to consider them family.

Joe is a close friend and confidant to Matt; another friendship made possible through competitive sailing. Over the years Matt and Joe have accumulated miles of boating adventures and a few misadventures. Joe is the absolute best person to have with you when you're making an ocean crossing, fighting a goliath grouper, or keeping a sinking ship afloat. His sincere determination, generosity and 'can do' attitude has saved many boats and crew from calamity, on and off the water.

Allison is one of Matt's sisters and the two have been very close since childhood. Growing up, they'd spend time hurtling down stairways aboard cardboard bobsleds, pretended to pilot their trusty Grumman Goose across the sky and were constantly on the lookout to catch and release a Florida lizard. One Christmas, while Allison was writing headlines in Dodge City, Kansas Matt went to visit for a few days and take in the amber plains. One of those afternoons, they decided to visit a nearby town's F5 tornado museum and memorial which also maintains the world's largest hand dug well. They 'got outa' Dodge on a warm sunny morning and ventured back in a sea of snow and sub zero gale force winds. Armed with a Garmin dash mounted GPS, they expertly navigated the 1999 four door Buick snowmobile dead center down the Garmin virtual roadway. Matt wonders how we'd have fared in the Grumman Goose.

Ashleigh, Matt's youngest sibling is a force to be reckoned with; she's a great skier, bright, energetic and fun to be around. Matt and his family are proud of her accomplishments and are happy to have her closer to Florida. Anyone that knows Matt knows of Ashleigh as he talks about her as a proud brother tends to do. However, few people know the following childhood story: One day, while patiently letting mom shop, Matt picked up his crying infant sister from her stroller, stepped back and slipped on an open box laying behind him. He caught his balance but found that he had accidentally dropped his infant sister on the cold concrete floor. Fortunately Guinn's are blessed with hard heads and a full recovery was assured. Although Matt knows that it's Ashleigh's hard work and determination that makes her a great surgeon, occasionally, under his breath he'll tell her "You're welcome".

Wedding Party

Q + A

DoubleTree by Hilton Tampa Rocky Point Waterfront

We have obtained a block of rooms at the DoubleTree at Rocky Point in Tampa for Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27 for those that would like to stay the weekend with us. Reservations should be made directly with the hotel reservation department by clicking on the link below: <a href="https://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/T/TPARHDT-MCG-20220326/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://doubletree.hilton.com/en/dt/groups/personalized/T/TPARHDT-MCG-20220326/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG</a> Or you can call 1-800-222-8733 and book with the booking department for the McGowan Wedding.

Matthew & Shannon

Matthew & Shannon

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