Queen Park Social

The Night Before

The After Party

Rolling Hill Farms

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Ben and I&nbsp;first met while sipping Fiji Golds together during&nbsp;our pre-semester study abroad trip to Fiji in the fall of 2009. Two weeks, one blown off sunrise mountain hike (edit: see proposal),&nbsp;and one country later, we were practically inseparable. After four amazing months exploring the land down under together,&nbsp;we returned back to the US to two different states. Luckily for me, Ben decided he didn’t want to end&nbsp;our story just yet. After a year of dating long distance from North Carolina to Florida (and Ben is really proud to say we didn't go more than a month without seeing each other), Ben moved to Tampa in January of 2011 to be with&nbsp;me while&nbsp;I finished my last semester of college.&nbsp;But if we're being honest here, I think he was really just sick of making the 11 hour drive back and forth :) 

Then life, as it often does, brought around some changes. We both saw our futures heading in slightly&nbsp;different directions and we decided it would be best to take some time apart&nbsp;to focus on ourselves. So for the next few years, I busted my butt up in New York City at grad school, and Ben played with tigers in Thailand. Okay, okay, he also started a great job with a company that he would build his career at for the next several years. 













So how'd we end up here - as&nbsp;engaged, home owning, dog parents? Well love is a funny thing. Fate, in the name of our brilliant friend Tommy Ryan, brought us back together in December 2015. 











For those of&nbsp; you who don't know, we also met Tommy while sipping Fiji Golds on the beach in 2009. So&nbsp;it made sense that that&nbsp;December when&nbsp;Ben was up in New York visiting Tommy for the Giants/Panthers game, that we would all meet up for drinks. We met for&nbsp;those drinks on a Friday night and&nbsp;by that Monday I was calling Ben up telling him I wanted to move to Charlotte. The rest is history.

How We Met 

In early January 2017,&nbsp;I picked out a ring and started to devise the perfect way to pop the question. Rebecca had been wanting to take a weekend trip to Asheville for sometime, so I figured this would be a perfect time to do that.&nbsp;I proposed the idea that&nbsp;we should drive towards Asheville Friday, but stop and camp at&nbsp;Crowders Mountain that night before&nbsp;heading to Asheville.

February 17, 2017 - The time had arrived and&nbsp;we hiked to&nbsp;our campsite.&nbsp;We enjoyed campfire dogs, beers, and smores through the afternoon and into the evening.&nbsp;I mentioned to Rebecca that&nbsp;I heard&nbsp;the sunrises at Crowders were beautiful and that&nbsp;we should get up early to see it. As Rebecca slept soundly through the night, I tossed and turned from nerves because&nbsp;I knew in the morning that&nbsp;I was going to ask the girl&nbsp;I loved more than anything in the world to be with&nbsp;me for the rest of our lives.









February 18, 2017 - We set off on&nbsp;our hike early that day, and &nbsp;45 minutes later&nbsp;we found&nbsp;ourselves almost at the peak. At this point Rebecca is hungry and asks&nbsp;me for a granola bar, but in my&nbsp;rush to pack everything&nbsp;I needed (in secret),&nbsp;I forgot the snacks.....Rebecca was not a happy camper (literally). We found the perfect spot on top of the mountain and set up shop.&nbsp;This is when&nbsp;I&nbsp;set up a camera to "catch a&nbsp; timelapse of the sunrise." 









We hung out for a bit talking and taking in the view while Rebecca's stomach growled of hunger and&nbsp;mine was turning inside out&nbsp;from the nerves.&nbsp;I asked Rebecca to stand up and get in some of the photos the camera was capturing, and as soon as she&nbsp;stood in front of me,&nbsp;I pulled out the ring, got down on&nbsp;one knee and waited for her to turn around. She finally did. &nbsp;I asked her to marry&nbsp;me and she said yes! 

*Note from Rebecca - When we were in Fiji, Ben promised to take me on a sunrise hike with a local Fijian. I woke up the next morning all excited for our hike and realized that Ben had left without me. It's been a running joke for the past 9 years that he blew me off on our first "date." After he proposed he said "I told you I'd take you on a sunrise hike." What a guy, huh? 

We&nbsp;celebrated with mountain top mimosas (better than granola bars!)&nbsp;and eventually made&nbsp;our way back down the mountain to share the good news&nbsp;with our family and friends.

The Proposal 

Our Story

Places to Eat

Famous Toastery

We love Toast! This is probably our favorite place to get breakfast or brunch. There are multiple locations throughout the city (and we have been to most of them!), so find the one closest to you and get ready for breakfast bliss. They tend to get really busy on the weekends, &nbsp;so get there or early or enjoy a mimosa while you wait for a table.

Our favorites - Corned Beef and Potato Hash, Chocolate Chip Pancakes, and Ham Egg & Cheese on a wrap. 



<a href="http://www.famoustoastery.com/">http://www.famoustoastery.com/</a>

The Original Pancake House

Continuing with amazing breakfasts, The Original Pancake House is a great spot. Perfect for Sunday hangovers, the pancakes are as fluffy and delicious as their coffee is strong. They also have the coolest mugs. Definitely check this place out. 

<a href="http://www.originalpancakehouse.com">www.originalpancakehouse.com</a>

Owen's Bagel

Owen's Bagel is Charlotte's home of the steamed bagel sandwich! Don't knock it til you try it. On the weekends, Owen's is crawling with every 20 something year old in Charlotte who went out the night before. If you're looking for a quick bite to eat- this is the place.

Rebecca's Favorite- Ya Boi

Ben's Favorite- Mark Cuban Look-A-Like





<a href="https://owensbagels.wordpress.com/">https://owensbagels.wordpress....</a>

Amelie's French Bakery

There isn't anything to say about Amelie's except that it is a must visit. Oh, and salted caramel brownies. 

<a href="http://www.ameliesfrenchbakery.com">www.ameliesfrenchbakery.com</a>

Lebowski's Neighborhood Grill

This is probably Ben's favorite go-to place in Charlotte. He swears by their wings. It's the perfect place to grab a beer and some good grub. 

Ben's Favorite - Combi-Nation: 6 Buffalo Wings + Beef on Weck Slider with Garlic Fries 

Rebecca's Favorite - Buff Chick Wrap & a Purple Haze

<a href="http://www.lebowskisgrill.com/">http://www.lebowskisgrill.com/</a>

Mac's Speed Shop

Ahhh Mac's. Many football Sundays have been spent in front of the TV at Mac's.&nbsp; If you want a taste of the south, come here for&nbsp; BBQ.....go for the burnt ends, you won't regret it.

<a href="http://www.macspeedshop.com/">http://www.macspeedshop.com/</a>

Breweries

The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery

<a href="http://www.oldemeckbrew.com/" target="_blank">www.oldemeckbrew.com</a>

Sycamore Brewing 

<a href="https://www.sycamorebrew.com/">www.sycamorebrew.com</a>

Triple C Brewing Co. 

<a href="http://www.triplecbrewing.com/">www.triplecbrewing.com</a>

Details

Taralyn Moriarty

Walker Morris

Adam Goodman

Catie Zamow

Loren Liberati 

Chase Prenzler

Connor Moriarty

Shannon Pearce

Lindsey Pearce

Jon Grier

Caitlin Schell

Justin Dehart

Nate Rose

Lisa Browning

Gina Ruggieri 

Nick Johnson

Teigan Morris

Brooklyn La Luz 

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

We've blocked off rooms at Springhill Suites for both 11/9 and 11/10 at a group rate of $139/night. 

Springhill Suites is located in the heart of Uptown Charlotte, is close to&nbsp;lots of restaurants and bars,&nbsp;and is easily accessible by public transportation. 

Please use the below link to book your room at the Springhill Suites in Uptown Charlotte, or call&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="tel:(704)%20439-8100" target="_blank" value="+17044398100">704-439-8100</a>&nbsp;and use&nbsp;group name&nbsp;“Moriarty/Morris Wedding.”



<a href="http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Moriarty/Morris%20Wedding%5ECLTSD%60MMWMMWA%7CMMWMMWB%60139%60USD%60false%606%6011/9/18%6011/11/18%6010/9/18&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes&aff=MARUS&affname=305950&co=US&nt=PH" target="_blank">Reserve a Room</a>

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Charlotte Uptown

Transportation will be provided from the SpringHill Suites uptown hotel&nbsp;to the wedding venue on the day of the wedding.&nbsp;Shuttles will be onsite starting at 2:15pm and will depart no later than 2:45pm for the venue.The shuttles will also be available to bring you home at the end of the night!Cars will not be allowed to stay at the venue overnight. If you plan on doing some&nbsp;drinking with your dancing, please utilize the shuttle service we have provided for you and leave your cars at home!&nbsp;

Shuttle Transportation from SpringHill Suites by Marriott Charlotte Uptown

We've blocked off rooms at&nbsp;the Courtyard by Marriott&nbsp;for both 11/9 and 11/10 at a group rate of $129/night.

The Courtyard is also&nbsp;located in Uptown, and&nbsp;is close to&nbsp;lots of restaurants and bars,&nbsp;and is easily accessible by public transportation. 

Please use the below link to book your room at the Courtyard by Marriott&nbsp;in Uptown Charlotte, or call&nbsp; 704-926-5800&nbsp;and use&nbsp;group name&nbsp;“Moriarty/Morris Wedding.” 



<a href="http://www.marriott.com/meeting-event-hotels/group-corporate-travel/groupCorp.mi?resLinkData=Moriarty/Morris%20Wedding%5Ecltup%60MMWMMWA%7CMMWMMWB%60129.00%60USD%60false%604%6011/9/18%6011/11/18%6010/10/18&app=resvlink&stop_mobi=yes" target="_blank">Reserve a Room</a>

Courtyard by Marriott Charlotte City Center

We recommend taking an Uber/Lyft from the airport to your hotel.

Charlotte Douglas International Airport

Charlotte has lots of great houses & apartments for rent!&nbsp;Feel free to book a rental through websites such as&nbsp;Airbnb, Homeaway or VRBO.&nbsp;If you choose to rent, we recommend you stay in either&nbsp;South End or Uptown/Downtown. These are centrally located areas with easy access to bars, breweries and restaurants.&nbsp;

Local Rentals

Travel

The Whitewater Center is one of our favorite places to go! Go mountain biking, take a shot at the ropes obstacle courses, explore the Catawba on paddle boards, or just grab a beer and enjoy the nice weather. There is SO much to do here.

U.S. National Whitewater Center

Check out the place where we got engaged! Crowders is one of our favorite places to go hiking. Located just 30 minutes outside of Charlotte, a quick drive will bring you to some great trails and spectacular views.

Crowders Mountain State Park Office

Pick up some delicious coffee & treats at
Sunflour Baking Company and go for a walk around Freedom Park. Ben and I&nbsp;spent a lot of time here when we lived in South&nbsp;End. For a good laugh, ask us about the time I stranded us after I lost our car keys in the park (whoops!).