Train Ride

Cocktail Meet Up!

River Bend Ranch

Wedding Time

Pre-Cocktail Hour

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Dinner, Dancing, & Memory making

Summer

Our Wedding

Our first time meeting was in the library during our first quarter. It was the night before a biochemistry test; however, I did not talk to Nikki all that much as she was busy writing notes and chemical structures on the white board. She did invite me to her apartment for a dinner with a group of our classmates that she was known to do during our time in school. I appreciated the offer and was more than happy to go, unfortunately I never got her room number and couldn’t find it, so I did not go. It wasn’t until our second quarter that we began to hang out more while being with our group of friends. During COVID we kept in contact and would do more stuff together once we all were able to return to campus. In 2021 I invited Nikki, and some others, to my family’s Thanksgiving. It was very apparent from that day that my family loved Nikki, and I like to think she loved them too. Before being deployed to Greece was when I viewed Nikki as more than just a friend and when I got back invited her to a Braves game, just the two of us. A few weeks later two of our friends and I went to her home in New Mexico. It was my first time meeting her parents and got to see why Nikki is the amazing person she is. Shortly after that trip I finally had the courage to ask her out, but it was very awkward. After about a year of dating I started to think of our future together. I don’t know what it was but by the start of our last quarter on campus I knew that she was the one I was meant to be with for the rest of my life. I asked her dad for his blessing and on her graduation day I finally manned up and asked her to marry me. It wasn’t executed perfectly, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. - Clay

Our Story

Photos

Kate and Nikki have been friends since sophomore year of high school where they met playing volleyball.  They have been inseparable ever since talking daily no matter where life takes them.  

Katelynn Stoll

Kasey and Nikki are cousins who grew up together.  Every year they counted down the time to Thanksgiving where Kasey would travel down from Denver to spend a week together,

Kasey Emrich

Sydney and Nikki met in chiropractic school through Sydney's husband, Joe.  Through school, they grew incredibly close taking multiple trips together and creating countless memories. 

Sydney Trovato

Tommy is Clay's dad.  Throughout Clay's life he always put others first and showed what a true friend, husband, and father is supposed to be.  Tommy was an obvious choice of best man for Clay.

Tommy Coburn

Craig and Clay met before Clay began dating Nikki.  Throughout their relationship, Craig and Clay's relationship grew as well.  Craig is the brother that Clay finally gets to have.

Craig Emrich

Clay and Trippe (second from the left) are cousins who grew up together.  Every year they would get to see each other at their grandfather's house, the beach, or wherever the family decided on.  

Trippe Hale

She is the daughter of Trippe and Adela, Clay's cousins.  She loves all music from Katy Perry to Michael Jackson by singing and dancing.  All at the great age of 5.

Mila 

Wedding Party

Q + A

In Durango (Historic Downtown Durango)Make yourself at home in one of the 88 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include phones and irons/ironing boards, and housekeeping is provided daily.With a stay at Historic Strater Hotel in Durango (Historic Downtown Durango), you'll be steps from Durango Area Tourism Office and 3 minutes by foot from Sorrel Sky Gallery.  This hotel is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Durango Arts Center and 0.3 mi (0.4 km) from Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.  Henry Strater Theater - 0.1 km / 0.1 mi  Durango Area Tourism Office - 0.2 km / 0.1 mi  Sorrel Sky Gallery - 0.2 km / 0.1 mi  Durango Arts Center - 0.3 km / 0.2 mi  Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - 0.4 km / 0.3 mi  Animas River Trail - 0.5 km / 0.3 mi  Animas River - 0.7 km / 0.4 mi  Durango Discovery Museum - 1 km / 0.6 mi  Durango Fish Hatchery and Education and Nature Center - 1.4 km / 0.9 mi  St. Columba Catholic Church - 1.6 km / 1 mi  San Juan National Forest Supervisor's Office - 1.9 km / 1.2 mi  Fort Lewis Health Center - 2.5 km / 1.6 mi  Fort Lewis College - 2.7 km / 1.7 mi  Durango Community Recreation Center - 3.3 km / 2.1 mi  Hillcrest Golf Club - 3.4 km / 2.1 mi  The nearest airports are:Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO) - 23.7 km / 14.7 mi Durango, CO (AMK-Animas Air Park) - 9.4 km / 5.8 mi The preferred airport for Historic Strater Hotel is Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO). Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as a spa tub, or other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access and concierge services. Additional features at this Victorian hotel include ski storage, wedding services, and a fireplace in the lobby.Featured amenities include dry cleaning/laundry services, a 24-hour front desk, and luggage storage.Enjoy a satisfying meal at Mahogany Grille serving guests of Historic Strater Hotel. Relax with a refreshing drink at one of the 2 bars/lounges.

Historic Strater Hotel

In Durango (Historic Downtown Durango)Make yourself at home in one of the 159 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Your room comes with a pillowtop bed. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers.A stay at DoubleTree by Hilton Durango places you in the heart of Durango, steps from Animas River Trail and 3 minutes by foot from Animas River.  This 4-star hotel is 0.3 mi (0.5 km) from Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and 0.2 mi (0.4 km) from Henry Strater Theater.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.  Animas River Trail - 0.2 km / 0.1 mi  Animas River - 0.2 km / 0.1 mi  Henry Strater Theater - 0.4 km / 0.2 mi  Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad - 0.5 km / 0.3 mi  Durango Area Tourism Office - 0.5 km / 0.3 mi  Sorrel Sky Gallery - 0.6 km / 0.4 mi  Durango Arts Center - 0.7 km / 0.4 mi  Durango Discovery Museum - 1.3 km / 0.8 mi  San Juan National Forest Supervisor's Office - 1.4 km / 0.9 mi  Durango Fish Hatchery and Education and Nature Center - 1.7 km / 1.1 mi  St. Columba Catholic Church - 1.9 km / 1.2 mi  Fort Lewis Health Center - 2.9 km / 1.8 mi  Fort Lewis College - 3 km / 1.9 mi  Durango Community Recreation Center - 3.2 km / 2 mi  Hillcrest Golf Club - 3.8 km / 2.4 mi  The nearest airports are:Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ) - 349.6 km / 217.3 mi Durango–La Plata County Airport (DRO) - 23.3 km / 14.5 mi Durango, CO (AMK-Animas Air Park) - 9 km / 5.6 mi The preferred airport for DoubleTree by Hilton Durango is Albuquerque International Sunport (ABQ). Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities, including an indoor pool, a spa tub, and a 24-hour fitness center. Additional amenities at this hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, concierge services, and gift shops/newsstands.Featured amenities include a business center, express check-out, and complimentary newspapers in the lobby. Self parking (subject to charges) is available onsite.Enjoy a meal at the restaurant, or stay in and take advantage of the hotel's room service (during limited hours). Wrap up your day with a drink at the bar/lounge. Full breakfasts are available daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM for a fee.

DoubleTree by Hilton Durango

Durango Downtown Inn

Near San Juan National Forest Supervisor's OfficeMake yourself at home in one of the 116 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and microwaves. Complimentary wired and wireless internet access is available. Private bathrooms have hair dryers and toothbrushes and toothpaste. Conveniences include safes and desks, as well as phones with free local calls.When you stay at Holiday Inn Hotel & Sui

Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites Durango Downtown an IHG Hotel

In the city centerMake yourself at home in one of the 78 guestrooms, featuring kitchens with full-sized refrigerators/freezers and ovens. Your bed comes with premium bedding, and all rooms are furnished with double sofa beds. Wired and wireless internet access is complimentary, while 32-inch LCD televisions with cable programming provide entertainment. Conveniences include desks and complimentary 

Homewood Suites by Hilton Durango Co

For $60 a night you can hook up your RV on the venue sight. Simply email or call the number above for more information.

RV Hook Up @ Venue

Travel

We will be riding the Durango &amp; Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. The train we ride on will be posted later. The tickets have not been released yet.

Join Us on a Train Ride

Nikki and her Brother, Craig, would do "The Loop" Every summer before school started again. If you want to see amazing mountain views, this is the trip for you! Bring lots of water and be aware of elevation changes!!

The Loop

Whether you are looking to shop, bar hop, eat great food, or checkout the train, downtown Durango is a great spot.

Downtown Durango

There is so much to do at Purgatory Resort! Mountain biking, events for the kids, alpine slide, and so much more!

Purgatory Resort

SO MANY TRAILS!! Simply look one up close to you and go!

Hiking

Located close to Durango, you will not regret relaxing in the natural hot springs.

Durango Hot Springs

Looking for multiple Hot Springs and a scenic drive? Located right on the river in Pagosa river, these hot spring are for you!

Nikki & Clay