Wedding Day

St Thomas of Villanova Church

Matrimonial Wedding Mass

The Philander Chase Knox Estate

Reception

Our Wedding

It all began when Emily walked into the St. Thomas of Villanova Chapel for Eucharistic Minister training. Peter was helping with the training and, needless to say, he felt God's power when he saw her from the altar. After studious Emily disappeared for a year, she popped up again in Peter's life when she signed up to be a member of the Liturgical Council. Peter vividly remembers sitting in the library and seeing her name on the application pool list. He had to take a walk around the library because focusing on his engineering homework was out of the question. Not surprisingly, he made time to make Emily's interview and recommended her... highly. After each Mass, a strategically parked car and an offer to drive her back to her dormitory led to a coffee date. "Just getting to know you" became "Is it ok if we call this a date" with dinners, ice cream, and the Navy Ball. After Peter's graduation in 2019 and two years of distance, Peter moved to California with the Navy and Emily decided to end the suffering and move to CA as well. July 3rd, a month before Emily moved out, Peter took Emily on a picnic date in Santa Barbara. While sitting and overlooking the Pacific Ocean, he read her a letter that recounted their love story and told her how excited he was that she was moving. As they were leaving, he "spotted" a mysterious object in the ocean and handed some binoculars off to Emily. The art of distraction worked and when she turned around, Peter was down on one knee proposing. The joy of that day and our love for one another still hasn't left our hearts and we can't wait to share it with you in September back at the Villanova Chapel where it all began. God has truly blessed us.

Our Story 

Whether she's at the gym or at the gym, you can usually find Morgan... at the gym. HIIT, Peloton, or Solid Core, you name it! Morgan Kane, previously Rethlake, is Emily's oldest and most cherished friend... and sister! She has always been a guiding light and role model for Emily. Through all of the twists and turns of life, Morgan has always been just a phone call away to offer a listening ear and ask "what did you eat?" Catch her walking around at the wedding with her tall, dark, and handsome husband, Sean! Just don't bring up the "Mistress" AKA his boat.

Morgan Kane 

A gal with a passion for healthy food and telling Peter his diet is unbalanced, Beth is our resident dietician and Emily's soon to be sister (in-law). Trained at Immaculata University, catch Elizabeth eyeing the multi-tiered cake and reminding Peter, "Everything in moderation!" 

Elizabeth Herlihey 

Looking for some ~perspective~? Just hop online and type in "The Musings of Mac" for life advice and "Mac the Taco Girl" for tasty Main Line taco recommendations. At Villanova, Mac was Emily's resident "Midwest Friend" (A Chicago Native!). If you happen to have a passion for Portillo's Italian Beef, be aware that Mac acted as their social media intern in 2017 (this role included posing in iconic locations in Chicago wearing a hot dog suit!). Now she is... an accountant (may find taco droppings on tax return documents).

Mackenzie Malley

Carolyn "Floss Boss" Recupero was one of Emily's first friends at Villanova. When moving in right across the hall from Emily during freshman year, Carolyn and Emily became fast friends when they realized they shared a passion for running and sweet food (make sure you brush your teeth though!). Carolyn joined Liturgical Council with Emily, where Emily met Peter, and has been the couple's biggest cheerleader since! We love you Dr. (in training) Recupero!

Carolyn Recupero

As Emily's childhood friend, you could find Emily and Ellie playing "mermaids" in the hot tub and pounding eggnog during Minnesota's "mild" winters. The mother of Piper, Edina's cutest 4 year old (and Target enthusiast), Ellie has shown Emily and Peter what selfless love and marriage entails. A fellow margarita drinker, you can find Ellie and Emily playing "Mexican Train" or "Phase 10" with the mom squad. 

Ellie Stromsness

Big Brother? No, not the government, but Paul has watched over Peter his whole life nonetheless. As Peter's life coach, Paul never missed a chance to give Peter some sound advice or encourage him to be the best version of himself. Sharing a bedroom growing up taught Paul the virtue of patience after many nights stepping on sharp lego blocks. He's Peter's best friend and best teammate when it comes time to wreck the Gallagher brothers in any sports competition. His passion for sports has led him to NBC Sports and even Tokyo for the 2021 Olympics. He's a great example of living passionately and pursuing your dreams (best exemplified by his dating tips to Peter when pursuing Emily).

Paul Herlihey

He's one with "The Force," but he's not a Jedi, and he strives to be more of a "life saver" than a "lightsaber." Actually a Capuchin Brother and Priest-in-training, he's Peter's oldest brother and ex-soccer coach. Michael spends much of his time storytelling, praying, or climbing any object remotely scalable. With a passion for adventure and a vibrant heart, Michael is a role model for Peter and Emily in living out their faith through their marriage. We love our brother, Br. Mike.

Michael Herlihey

With the strongest jumper outside the NBA and a heck of a right foot, Colin plays both basketball and soccer with his brother, Justin, and the Herlihey's at every opportunity. Now a technology product manager at Vanguard, Colin hacks his way into any good conversation about Bitcoin (yeah he's that guy). Catch Colin breaking it down at the wedding with one of his many signature (and head turning) dance moves that get the ladies wild.

Colin Gallagher 

As the manlier Gallagher brother, Justin can fix just about anything he lays his eyes on, except his fascination for girly Disney music. You'll find no more loyal and selfless friend than Justin. He always goes the extra mile, and then pretends that you're doing him a favor and not the other way around. He's been causing trouble with Peter since 4th Grade, and there's no plans to stop any time soon.

Justin Gallagher

Emily's older brother and Peter's newest brother, Michael can be found hunting for pheasant, the next hot biotech stock, or a cold beer to share with friends. A "guy's guy" and a force on the golf course (which makes you question why you ever bought clubs), Michael is the life of any party. Both fish and fowl fear him, but he has a heart bigger than the 16 oz beer he's probably holding. 

Michael Rethlake 

It's hard to believe that there were 3 of them before him, but we can be sure that the world was a better place for it. Dalton Smart IV, a devil dog with a big heart, is the embodiment of a "Semper Fi" friend. During the 2017 Marine Corps Marathon, Dalton ran with a very dehydrated and delusional Peter, and stayed with him to the finish line. 

Dalton Smart IV

Wedding Party

If traveling from out of state, you will want to fly into Philadelphia International Airport. It is about a 25 minute drive to Villanova University and 35 minutes to the Malvern area where hotel accommodations are located. Uber, Lyft and Taxis are available as well as rental cars from the airport. Please make any necessary arrangements ahead of time.

Enter code RHW into Group Code box when making reservations online or call reservations to the toll free number listed above and mention the Rethlake Herlihey Wedding Guest Rooms Please make accommodations by August 18th

Desmond Hotel Malvern, a DoubleTree by Hilton

Please make accommodations by August 18th

Courtyard by Marriott Philadelphia Great Valley/Malvern

Travel & Accommodations

A famous botanical garden where we first started dating. It is worth the drive to see the beautiful landscape, flowers and fountains!

Longwood Gardens

A historical landmark from the American Revolutionary War with memorials, museums and walking trails

Visitor Center At Valley Forge

Philadelphia Museum of Art

A quaint flower shop with a cafe where Emily spent many hours studying on the weekends, bringing Peter along with her every once in awhile!

The Barn at Valley Forge Flowers

This cafe is a favorite of Beth, Peter's sister. When a dietician says it is good, you know you cant go wrong!

Malvern Buttery

Right across the street from Villanova's campus, we enjoyed walking through the gardens to take a break from school work.

Peter & Emily

Peter & Emily

Q + A

Q + A coming soon!