The Venue at Chilleens

Rehearsal Event

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Like many great stories, it all started at Michigan State University when we were just 19 years old in our 3rd week of sophomore year. We met randomly when many of Cait's tailgate plans fell through... leading her to meet one of her friends at Nick's apartment to settle in for game-day activities. After knocking on every single apartment door in Red Cedar Village, Cait knocked on the final door and was struck by love at first sight when Nick greeted her. This random chance meeting on a game-day quickly turned into their first date on the red cedar river (where nick ending up proposing to Cait 4 years later), late-night study sessions at Broad Business College, Meijer grocery runs for 11 PM tiramisu cravings, campus walks, early morning coffee runs, Tin Can Trivia Tuesdays, Honky Night at Harpers, outdoor chess games, Uncle John's cider &amp; donut traditions, Landshark Sunday shifts, and countless memories that shaped our MSU experience together. Throughout our time in Lansing, we adopted a family member (Kahlua), explored up north and the West side of Michigan, gained many memories with old/new friends and family, and found a love for camping, hiking, and the outdoors. Additionally, we started on our long-term goal of visiting all of the United States National Parks (23 down).After graduation, new adventures, career starts, continuing education, and the ups and downs of adulthood only made our love grow stronger. From moving in together at 22 in Novi, MI to Moving 2000 miles away to Arizona at 24, we are beyond excited to take the next step and say "I do" surrounded by the people we love most. MSU brought us together, and now, seven years later, we can’t wait to celebrate the next chapter of our story 💚✨

How We Met

9.14.19 - Nick and Cait Met12.18.19 - Nick and Cait Start Dating - First Date at Center Street Grille12.29.19 - First I Love You's2.14.20 - First Valentine's Day9.29.20 - Kahlua is Adopted4.26.21 - First Road Trip to National Park12.25.21 - First Christmas Spent Together3.8.22 - Senior Spring Break Trip Together5.8.22 - Graduation from MSU7.25.22 - Move in Together in Novi, MI9.1.22 - Cait Starts Grad School10.21.23 - Nick and Cait's Engagement1.5.24 - Nick Gets into Vet School5.2.24 - Cait graduates from grad school8.1.24 - Nick and Cait move to AZ8.29.24 - Nick starts Vet School9.28.24 - Nicks White Coat Ceremony1.14.25 - Nick and Cait Pick a Wedding Date and Venue4.17.25 - Cait Says Yes to the Dress9.14.25 - Last Anniversary Before the Wedding3.1.26 - Wedding Day

Timeline of Us

Our Story

Photos

Denise Parsons

Jean Brown

Roger Parsons

Dave Brown

Kahlua Louise

Dylan Parsons

Kevin Brown

Evan Ossowski

Erin Brown 

Sarah Brown

Austin Parsons

Jen Parsons

Abbi Damico

Logan Bry

Wedding Party

Wedding Day - March 1st, 2026

4:30 pm - vENUE OPENS TO GUESTS

5 PM - Ceremony

5:30 PM -  Cocktail Hour

6:30 PM  - Dinner 

7 PM - Speeches 

7:30 PM: Dancing & DESSERTS!

9 pm: laTE NIGHT REFRESHMENTS

10:15 PM: CLOSING TIME

Schedule of Events

For your convenience, we have reserved a block of rooms at Hampton Inn Anthem (15 mins away from venue)&nbsp;for our wedding weekend. Please use the link/QR code when booking to ensure you receive a special discounted rate when booking your stay! Please book your room by&nbsp;January 10th, 2026 to secure the special rate. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to reach out to us! We can't wait to celebrate with you! https://www.hilton.com/en/book/reservation/rooms/?ctyhocn=PHXAMHX&amp;arrivalDate=2026-02-27&amp;departureDate=2026-03-02&amp;groupCode=CHH903&amp;room1NumAdults=1&amp;cid=OM%2CWW%2CHILTONLINK%2CEN%2CDirectLink

Hampton Inn Phoenix/Anthem

Looking to stay longer? using an Airbnb offers flexibility in accommodations. When booking, consider location, amenities, and transportation options to ensure a smooth experience for your stay.

Airbnb

Looking to stay longer? using a VRBO is a great option for convenience, comfort, and cost savings. When booking, consider proximity to the wedding venue, transportation options, and local attractions. Be sure to coordinate early, as rentals can fill up quickly for spring breakers, spring training patrons, and seasonal golfers.

Vrbo

Travel

These are all activities Nick and Cait have actually done in Arizona on date nights or casual hang outs. If you have some extra time, we recommend checking them out and having the same great experience with them like we have :)

This guide highlights experiences closer to the venue

Venue at Chilleens Guidebook 

Outdoor Activities

Hiking and Trailheads

Echo Canyon Trail (1.5 hr)- Pros: beautiful red rock scenery, easy parking to navigate with overflow lot, marked trailheads, more shaded areas, never seen rattlesnakes, scorpions, or killer bees on this trail. Cons: more challenging compared to the Cholla Trail with a consistent rock scramble after the first .5 miles. Going down this route is more challenging on your knees and there are areas that require rope/pole guidance to hoist yourself up/down the trail. Cholla Trail (1 hr)- Pros: Mild Elevation Gain for the first mile, rapidly increases to a rock scramble for the last .5 miles of the hike. Definitely recommend this way up for more scenic views of the city and more relaxing route down. We have never seen rattlesnakes, scorpions, or killer bees on this trail :) Cons: The parking is more challenging to navigate since it only offers street parking and the scramble on this side has less guard rails/traction which can make it very easy to slip. In addition to this, once you hit the scramble, the trail is not marked well... so be on the lookout!

Camelback Hike

Sunrise Peak Trail (2 hrs: 3.5. miles- 1100 ft elevation gain)- Pros: Beautiful scenery and lookout points + close proximity to Scottsdale. We saw no rattlesnakes, scorpions, or bees on this trail. Cons: very rocky!

Sunrise Peak Trailhead

1.5 hr Pros: Wonderful views, never seen rattlesnakes, scorpions, or killer bees on this trail, scenery offers more craggy grey mountain rocks in comparison to Camelback Peak, easy parking, more consistent elevation gain with no rock scrambles. Cons: 1100 ft Elevation gain

Piestewa Peak Trailhead

3 hrs Pros: Easy Parking, great views of Scottsdale, mild hike, dogs allowed Cons: WE DID SEE 3 RATTLESNAKES ON THIS TRAIL

Tom's Thumb

3 mile loop through Scottsdale Neighborhood - completely paved

Javelina Trail Head

2 hrs Pros: easy parking, dog-friendly, well-marked trailheads, easy hike, unnoticeable elevation gain over the distance, panoramic views of Scottsdale, we did not see rattlesnakes, killer bees, or scorpions on this trail. Cons: somehow had more rocky terrain that the other hikes.. make sure you are wearing the right shoes :)

Lost Dog Wash Trailhead

2.5 hrs Pros: beautiful scenery throughout the entire hike, easy parking, dog-friendly, well-marked trails, views from the south mountain preserve (panoramic views of tempe and mesa), did not see rattlesnakes, scorpions, or killer bees on this trail Cons: light rock scrambles at the "Fat Man's Pass", longer hike (5+ miles), 35-45 min drive from Scottsdale

National Trail Lookout

4 hr Pros: WONDERFUL VIEW (best we have had so far), dog-friendly (but please DO NOT bring your dog or anything you love on this trail), we did not see rattlesnakes, killer bees, or scorpions on this trail, easy parking Cons: far away, horribly marked trails, elevation gain 5000 ft, rock scrambles after the first 1 mile of the hike, please wear the proper shoes if you are going to do this trail - it will require a lot of downward momentum and finding footing on the rocks, do your research before going here!

Flatiron Community Park

Attractions

2nd Tuesday of the month - Community Day - Free Admission

Desert Botanical Garden

easy wheelchair rental :) - can definitely do between 4-5 hours

Phoenix Zoo

12 lit Pickle-ball Courts, a sand volleyball court, baseball field, and park

Cholla Park

Goldfield Ghost Town and Mine Tours Inc.

This will take a lot of time to get through and it is far from phoenix. In our opinion, this is better than the phenix zoo if you have time though!

Wildlife World Zoo, Aquarium & Safari Park

MacDonald's Ranch

Thompson Peak Park

3rd largest fountain in the world with a 1 mile long paved trail and playground/splash pad

Fountain Park

Dog Park, Baseball Fields, Botanical garden, walking trails, and swimming pool

Chaparral Park

Slide Rock State Park

this will be an easy W if you're playing against Nick...

PopStroke

Arizona Outdoor Fun Adventures & Tours

Indoor Activities

Outlets North Phoenix

Gamers Guild AZ - North Phoenix

OdySea Aquarium

Jake's Unlimited

Eats and Drinks

Breakfast

Original Breakfast House

Sweet Dee’s Bakeshop

Simply Shroom Cafe

Lunch

Capriotti's Sandwich Shop

Coconut's Fish Cafe

Dinner

North Italia

The Greene House

Amici Pizza

The Henry

Bars and Drinks

The Hot Chick

Buffalo Chip Saloon and Steakhouse

The Stillery

Wasted Grain

Four Peaks Brewing Company

Sweet Treats

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams

The Sicilian Baker

Cait's Fav: Coconut Cream Pie Nick's Fav: Peach/Apple Pie with Crumble Coating

Nicholas & Caitlin

Nicholas & Caitlin

Registry

We understand this is a destination wedding for most of the guests attending. If you are unable or prefer not to bring gifts with you to the reception, we ask you to please send them to the registry address prior to the event.