The Pavilion at Carriage Farm

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Sam and I both grew up in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina, a few miles down the road from each other. Despite living so close, we never crossed paths in Asheville (aside from me seeing Sam’s name in the paper after her multiple 30+ point performances for the Sugar Jets). We both decided to give up our hoop dreams after high school and pursue engineering degrees from NC State University. As our first year of college began, Sam could be found studying for her next physics exam or tearing up the court on the Club Basketball team. Meanwhile, I was just a couple floors above in Sullivan Hall eating cookout and playing GTA and Call of Duty with Jack, Ben, and Steve. We started seeing each other a bit more around campus and classes that we shared, and Sam even came to a few parties I had Sophomore year. Sam was always such a joy to be around that I eventually mustered up the courage to ask her out - on Valentine’s day - in front of the whole class - and the rest is history! We’ve been blessed to share so many good times together; between court-stormings in PNC arena, fly-fishing floats down high-water Watauga river, tailgates in the fairground lot, sharing the stage in our chart-topping mega-band Bottom Shelf, training for our first triathlon together, and ripping up mini dirt bikes at Jackson’s farm (just to name a few). Our most recent endeavor of becoming engaged has been nothing shy of special. Proposing to Sam while on a boat off the coast of Italy, and most importantly - without dropping the ring into the Mediterranean Sea - is one of my most proud life achievements. Ringing in this achievement with a week-long celebration around Italy with our best Italian Stallions, Anna &amp; Steve-O, was the cherry (or meatball) on top!Everyone who knows Sam knows how incredibly lucky I am to have her as my future wife.We can’t wait to join the Olson &amp; Steward families, and are so so excited to celebrate with all of you!

Our Story

Photos

Hi everyone! I am Sam’s younger sister, Christi. I’m 24 years old and a second grade teacher in Asheville, where Sam and I grew up. I am so unbelievably excited for Sam and Michael, and I feel so blessed to be apart of this special moment for my built in best friend. As kids Sam and I were always having a blast and using our fabulous imaginations (if I do say so myself) to entertain ourselves and spend time together. Whether  it was building an extremely dangerous sledding ramp in our backyard, or creating an intricate spy game that was based on one of our favorite shows, Nikita of course, we always had fun and loved being together. As most people know, I haven’t always been great at sharing (it’s slowly improving), but I can say with certainty that I never had a second thought about sharing my big sis with Michael, and I am so grateful to him for loving the most important person to me in the world. Let’s get these two married!!

Christi Olson

Hello! My name is Anna & I had the pleasure of meeting Sam our freshman year of college during club basketball tryouts. From the start, I always knew Sam and I would be great friends. We’ve been through it all together - from tailgates, to online graduations, and trips around the world we always have the most fun side by side. It has been so amazing to watch her grow into the woman she is today and I am extremely honored to stand by her side on her wedding day! I cannot wait to celebrate Sam & Mike! Cheers!

Anna Lavella

Hello everyone, my name is Jackson and I have the privilege of being Michael’s best man. Mike and I have been friends for over 20 years, and have been with each other through the highs and the lows and every different stage of life. We grew up in the same neighborhood, been on the same sports teams, gone to school together, worked together, gotten in trouble together, traveled together, and grown up together. I knew as soon as I met Sam she was a keeper and getting to know her has also been a blessing. It’s a pretty cool thing to watch your best friend start his own family and it’s an honor to be a part of the celebration. Looking forward to many more years and can’t wait to see where the next 20 years takes us. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Raleigh for New years!

Jackson Lindsay

Ellie Steward

Avery Hobbs

Bekah Recchio

Holly Cook

Olivia Trapatsos

Rachel Argabright

Will Steward

Ben Janzow

Jack Brigman

James Ranta

Riley Methner

Steve Erlenbach

Steve Kinsey

Wedding Party

WHAT TO DO ABOUT TRANSPORTATION? - The venue allows guests to leave your vehicle in the parking lot overnight, but *must* be picked up between 8-10am the next day.- Uber/Lyft are easily accessible to/from the venue. Due to it being a holiday the prices and availability towards the end of the night could be impacted.- We are providing a shuttle service for up to 50-60 guests that will go to all the hotels listed in the hotel block section after the reception concludes at midnight.

Q + A

**Hotel Blocks**

Downtown Area

*Cutoff day for Hotel Block rate is November 30th* In Raleigh (Downtown Raleigh)Make yourself at home in one of the 353 air-conditioned rooms featuring LCD televisions. Cable programming and video-game consoles are provided for your entertainment, while complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Note: If your guests would like to book additional nights before or after your room block's official dates, we would love to honor your group rate for them! We can do so within 3 nights of your room block's arrival and departure dates and depending on our availability at the time. Please direct these guests to first book within the official block dates using one of the above 2 methods. Once they have a confirmation number for their reservation, they may email jamiya.carter@sheratonraleigh.com with their confirmation number and their request for additional nights.

Sheraton Raleigh Hotel

*Cutoff day for Hotel Block rate is November 30th* Located in Raleigh, a 10-minute walk from Museum of Natural Sciences, AC Hotel By Marriott Raleigh Downtown provides accommodations with a terrace, private parking, a restaurant and a bar. The property is around 4.9 miles from PNC Arena, 4.9 miles from North Carolina Museum of Art and 5.4 miles from Crabtree Valley Mall Shopping Center. The property has room service and a 24-hour front desk for guests. Popular points of interest near the hotel include State Capitol, North Carolina Museum of History and North Carolina General Assembly. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is 13 miles away.

AC Hotel by Marriott Raleigh Downtown

Hotel Block: <a href="https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/rdudwhx-91s-9fa088be-de20-4f9c-89cd-44113fd0840f/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/rdudwhx-91s-9fa088be-de20-4f9c-89cd-44113fd0840f/</a> *Cutoff day for Hotel Block rate is December 1st* In downtown Raleigh, this North Carolina hotel features an indoor pool, daily continental breakfast, and a fitness center. The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences is a mile away. All guest rooms include a flat-screen cable TV, microwave, and a small refrigerator. This Raleigh Hampton Inn and Suites provides a desk and coffee-making facilities, as well. Hampton Inn and Suites Raleigh Downtown guests are greeted by a 24-hour front desk and complimentary coffee and tea in the lobby. Free Wi-Fi, a business center, and a laundromat are available. North Carolina State University is 1.5 miles from the hotel. Guests are also 14 miles from the hiking trails and fishing of William B. Umstead State Park and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh Downtown

Cary Area

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1758120868502&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink *Cutoff day for Hotel Block rate is December 9th* SpringHill Suites by Marriott Raleigh Cary promises a refreshingly unexpected stay we know you'll appreciate. Close to Lenovo Center, RDU International Airport and Koka Booth Amphitheater, this hotel's convenient location will have you to your destination in minutes. Unwind in our spacious all-suite guestrooms designed by West Elm, with separate spaces&nbsp;to relax and get work done. Gather in our lobby lounge for a craft beverage and good conversation with friends and family. Each morning, enjoy the complimentary breakfast buffet and indulge in healthy options like scrambled eggs, breakfast meat, and yogurt or more decadent choices including freshly made waffles, muffins and bagels. Make sure to leave enough time for a quick work out in the fitness room or a refreshing lap in the pool.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Raleigh Cary

**Other Hotels (no blocks)**

Near North Carolina State UniversityMake yourself at home in one of the 135 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and LED televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with showers feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.

Aloft Raleigh

Homewood Suites By Hilton Raleigh Downtown is located in Raleigh, within a 12-minute walk of North Carolina General Assembly and 5.5 miles of PNC Arena. With a terrace, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. Private parking is available on site. At the hotel, rooms include a desk. Homewood Suites By Hilton Raleigh Downtown has some accommodations with city views, and the rooms have a coffee machine. All rooms in the accommodation are equipped with a flat-screen TV and a hairdryer. Homewood Suites By Hilton Raleigh Downtown can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Museum of Natural Sciences, State Capitol and North Carolina Museum of History. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is 14 miles from the property.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Raleigh Downtown

Featuring 3-star accommodations, Tru By Hilton Raleigh Garner is located in Garner, 8.1 miles from Museum of Natural Sciences and 8.7 miles from State Capitol. The property is around 8.8 miles from North Carolina Museum of History, 9.1 miles from North Carolina General Assembly and 13 miles from PNC Arena. The hotel has an indoor pool, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. North Carolina Museum of Art is 13 miles from the accommodation, while Crabtree Valley Mall Shopping Center is 16 miles from the property. Raleigh-Durham International Airport is 23 miles away.

Michael & Samantha

Michael & Samantha

Q + A

Where will the Ceremony and Reception be held?

What is the Dress Code?

When should I arrive?

Will the Reception go until midnight?

What should I do if I cannot come?

Are there Hotel Blocks?

Can I bring plus one to your wedding?