Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

It was June of 2016.&nbsp;Neal was in Kansas City for a work conference at Cerner. Sarah lived just outside Kansas City in Overland Park, where she grew up.&nbsp;Thanks to technology and 21st century dating, the two found each other on the app JSwipe (essentially a Jewish tinder). They began messaging back and forth and made plans to meet for drinks one evening. Neal was having too much fun "networking" at a "work dinner"&nbsp;(AKA drinking and socializing) at Char Bar and Sarah cancelled because she had to work the next day.&nbsp;

The pair both felt that they needed to meet each other despite their scheduling difficulties.&nbsp;So,&nbsp;Sarah got part of her shift covered at work so she could meet Neal for dinner. The ER gods were not on her side because the department where she worked was massively busy and she didn't get out until 10pm when she was supposed to get out at 6pm. Fortunately, Neal was still interested when she sent him a text, "still want to meet up tonight?"

Sarah picked Neal up at the Marriott in Downtown KC and they shared a drink at Julep and got to know each other. They continued their evening to another bar in the area.&nbsp;&nbsp;It was past midnight by then and Neal was, of course, hungry. So, with Cody Johnson playing in the car,&nbsp;&nbsp;Sarah brought Neal to the only place open in Kansas City at that time, Town Topic. The diviest burger joint with arguably some of the best greasy food. At that moment, Neal knew Sarah was the one. They talked every day afterwards until he returned to KC&nbsp;in September to visit Sarah and they made it official.&nbsp;

How We Met

Neal told Sarah he had a work meeting&nbsp;in Kansas City and asked if she wanted to come along and make a weekend of it. The pair flew into Kansas City on Friday&nbsp;and Sarah spent the day with family while Neal went to his "work meeting."On Saturday Sarah spent the morning shopping with her mom while Neal "slept in" and "worked from the hotel" before their plans for dinner that evening with Neal's work colleagues.The pair exited their hotel- The Marriott in Downtown Kansas City that evening to await their Uber to take them to dinner. While outside, Neal asked Sarah,&nbsp; "can you believe this is where it all began?" Sarah thought he was teasing when he said "there's a question I've been wanting to ask you." Sarah still thought he was teasing when he reached into his coat pocket. Sarah started to think he wasn't teasing as he got down on one knee. Sarah blacked out whatever was said afterward but knew he wasn't teasing when she saw the ring.&nbsp;After a very tearful and excited, Yes! Neal pointed to the photographer who captured the special moment who then took them&nbsp;&nbsp;around Kansas City snapping photos. Neal told Sarah they were going to Julep to recreate their first date. Upon walking into the bar, Sarah burst into tears again when she saw the faces of their parents, siblings, and closest friends- some of whom had flown from New Jersey and Florida to celebrate their engagement.

The Proposal

Our Story

Details

The bride has known Becky (affectionately called Lamb for the last 15 years) her entire life. She is the bride's sister- older by just thirteen months. The two are nothing alike but have been incredibly close their entire lives. Becky is the bride's very best friend and has had so much fun having Lamb be a sounding board through wedding planning!

Becky

Jake is Neal's younger brother. They have been close for their entire lives, even when Neal relocated to Florida ten years ago. Neal was excited when Jake chose to attend medical school in Florida and the two have been able to see each other more frequently. Neal was the best man in Jake's wedding in 2019&nbsp;and Jake was the obvious choice to do the same for Neal.Conversation Point -- His alien ear trick

Jake

Whitney and the bride have been best friends pretty much since they met in the fifth grade almost twenty years ago. They've remained close since despite attending college in different states and life's challenges. Sarah was the maid of honor in Whitney's wedding five years ago and now has the honor of being Whitney's son's godmother. Sarah is so excited to have Whitney in her wedding!

Whitney

Steve and Neal met in college at FAU (hooty hoo) where they majored in beer and girls. Joking aside, the two have been close friends for over ten years. After multiple moves, Steve and Lindsey now live a mere thirty minutes from Neal and Sarah and the four enjoy spending time together as schedules allow. Neal was a groomsman in Steve's wedding and is excited to have Steve do the same.

Conversation Point -- His Smoking Tuna Tank&nbsp;Top

Steve

Neal and Ben met about 10 years ago when Neal became Ben's roommate via Craigslist. The two lived together until Ben's now wife, Jenny,&nbsp; moved into the house and "kicked him out" (an anecdote Neal still enjoys sharing &nbsp;to Jenny's chagrin). Ben and Neal have continued their close friendship through all of life's changes as Neal has become "Uncle Neal" to Ben and Jenny's two daughters. Neal was a groomsman in Ben's wedding and couldn't imagine Ben not being part of his.

Conversation Point -- His Walmart Halloween Costume Experience

Sarah and also Sarah met in nursing school and quickly became close friends. They bonded quickly and spent the year studying, happy hours on Thursdays, and countless nights in Westport. Sarah and Sarah took their friendship on the road when they took a travel nursing assignment together in Richmond, Virginia, before the two parted ways to relocate to their respective then boyfriends, now fiancés. The two Sarahs have remained close despite the distance between them.

Sarah

The bride has known Lindsey since she moved to Florida. She is the wife of one of Neal's best friends, Steve. After being forced to hang out as a result of Neal and Steve's friendship, she became Sarah's first friend in Florida. The two couples spend time together as often as schedules permit- dinners at each others' houses, dog play dates, and nights out where Neal and Steve inevitably spend too much money and order too many shots. Sarah is excited to have Lindsey be a part of their wedding!

Lindsey

Sam found his way into Neal's life in multiple ways.&nbsp;He and Neal met separately through Powerlifting and Orlando Barbell. Sam also happened to have grown up with Steve, another Groomsman that Neal met in college. Regardless of how they actually met. Sam and Neal have been great friends for 10+ years. Neal was a groomsman in Sam's wedding when he married Jess&nbsp;and now has the title of Uncle Neal to Sam and Jess's daughter, Savannah.

Conversation Point -- His inability to drive an Automatic Transmission

Frank and Neal met through mutual friends 10ish years ago. They became fast friends and bonded over mutual interests- diesel trucks, country music (TORTUGA!), spending their evenings at Cowboys, among others. Frank and&nbsp;Neal have remained very close&nbsp;even when their schedules don't allow them to see each other more frequently. Always enjoying rolling around Oviedo with the truck windows down.

&nbsp;Conversation Point -- Tortuga Music Festival

Frank

Ari&nbsp;is the bride's cousin.&nbsp;The two have grown close throughout adulthood when they see each other at family events and holidays.&nbsp;Sarah loves spending time with Ari and the two can often be found sharing a glass of wine when they are together, and sharing text messages when they are not. Sarah can't imagine getting married without Ari being there.&nbsp;

Ariane

The bride has known Corinne for her whole life. She is&nbsp;the bride's cousin. The two have gotten closer as they've become adults and Sarah has enjoyed the time spent together at family events, holidays and vacations. Sarah had the honor of being in Corinne's wedding a few years ago and is so excited to have Corinne part of hers as well!

Corinne

Neal also met Lenny through mutual friends almost 9 years ago. The two have multiple shared interests such as guns and weightlifting,&nbsp;which &nbsp;spurred a fast friendship. They don't get together much, as Lenny prefers his dog Kaiser over people,&nbsp;but the two will often pass each other in their identical trucks which always&nbsp;elicits a phone call to catch up with each other. Lenny has always been a loyal Wang(Wing) Night companion at Frogger's.

Conversation Point -- That Halloween he was a Breathalyzer

Lenny

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

We invite you to stay with us at the Aloft Orlando Downtown. This will be the central happening point of the weekend as well as the hotel for the Bridal Party. Please ensure you book via the "Book a Room" button below or reference the Cotton &amp; Blackman Wedding when calling. *** If you have any issues booking your hotel please contact Neal directly (text is best) and he will be able to assist. (732) 439-6706*** Event Room Block Summary:Cotton &amp; Blackman Wedding Block - Feb 2020Start Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2020End Date: Wednesday, February 26, 2020Last Day to Book: Saturday, February 1, 2020 Hotel Proximity to Wedding Events:MCO to Aloft: 13 miles / 20 minutes / $20 UberAloft to Wedding Venue: 3 miles / 10 minutes / $5 Uber Local Attractions:Aloft to Disney Area: 20 miles / 25 minutes / $20 UberAloft to Universal Studios: 10 miles / 20 minutes / $10 UberAloft to Park Avenue Winter Park, Florida (Quaint cobble stone southern area. Shopping, Dining, Drinking or all three): 6 miles / 12 minutes / $7 Uber Within walking distance or a short Uber ride of the hotel are numerous shops, bars, and restaurants of Downtown Orlando. This is where the locals go for a night out on the town or to enjoy a meal. Below are some of our favorites and travel recommendations from Hotel. Some of our favorite Bars:Dapper Duck (Great Bar food too) - Walking DistancePour House (Great Bar food too) - Walking DistanceSaddle Up (Bar games) - Walking DistanceHarp and Celt (English Pub, Pub style food) - Walking DistanceGuest House - Uber RideCowboys Orlando (Formerly Sullivan's) - Uber RideWine Room (Wine by the spigot) - Uber RideMany more... We are happy to recommend! Some of our favorite Restaurants:Gringos Locos (Mexican) - Walking DistanceWahlburgers (Burgers, never been but worth mentioning as folks like it ) - Walking DistanceArtisan's Table (American) - Walking DistanceMynt (Indian) - Uber RideLazy Moon (Pizza slices the size of an infant torso) - Uber RideLinda's La Cantina (Flat Top Steaks) - Uber RideHot Dog Heaven (Chicago Dogs) - Uber Ride4Rivers (BBQ) - Uber Ride

Sarah & Neal

Sarah & Neal

Photos