Engagement Party

Rehearsal Dinner

Ceremony at the Carlson Home with Reception to follow

Our Story

Sarah was 45 minutes late to her first date with Dave. It was the weekend of a big festival in Augusta, Georgia and she got stuck in traffic. So, she texted her apologies and asked him to order her a Stone IPA. Had she ordered a Miller Lite, this wedding may never have happened. But Dave was intrigued, and waited for Sarah, and they talked for hours. Over the next few dates, they learned that they had a lot in common. Both had recently moved to Georgia from Illinois, both played the trumpet (albeit at very different skill levels), and both liked making the other laugh. They even learned that they had unknowingly crossed paths a few times before--at a favorite burger bar in Chicago, at a speaking event with Bill Nye The Science Guy, at Grant's Home in Galena, and at several shared study locations. They quickly became inseparable and spent the next year and a half exploring Georgia and South Carolina while planning for the future. Sarah brought lyrics into Dave's music and Dave made Sarah's life delicious. During a beach getaway to Charleston, both were accepted to the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee and their next adventure began. After a seventeen hour drive with all their belongings in their cars, Dave and Sarah had a new city to explore. Excited to be nearer to family, and back in the land of apple-picking and New Glarus, they quickly began an unofficial cheese curd tour of the Midwest. With Dave fresh out of the army and pursuing a business degree, and Sarah beginning her Master's in anthropology, they supported each other through night classes, grueling assignments, Milwaukee winter, and public transit. As graduation loomed, they daydreamed about where the next few years might take them. When a job opportunity beckoned in Denver, they leaned on each other to again pack their things, say goodbye to loved ones, and start a new adventure in the Rockies. Denver gave them mountains, new opportunities, and the knowledge that they could build anything together. They hiked. They camped. They skied. They had one close call with a rattlesnake and five with moose. Sarah changed jobs and Dave completed his Master's at the Colorado School of Mines. They welcomed the long-awaited Porkchop into the family. They weathered a shattered shoulder and a global pandemic (so far). Just after celebrating their seventh anniversary, Dave brought home pumpkins to carve during their annual viewing of Nightmare Before Christmas. Sarah thought he was being oddly secretive about his design until he got down on one knee and displayed the "Marry Me?" he had carved. Sarah said "yes".

Our Wedding

We will be offering shuttle service on the day of the wedding between Chestnut Mountain Resort, Galena Oktoberfest (corner of Park Ave and Bouthillier St.), the Galena Gazette parking lot and the wedding venue according to the following schedule: Please note that shuttle times have been updated! Pick up at Chestnut Mountain Resort: 11:00aDrop off at Oktoberfest: 11:30pPick up at Oktoberfest: 2:00pDrop off at Chestnut Mountain: 2:25p Pick up at Galena Gazette: 2:50pPick up at Chestnut Mountain: 3:15pDrop off at Wedding: 3:45p Pick up at Wedding: 8:30pDrop off at Chestnut Mountain: 9:00pDrop off at Galena Gazette 9:30pPick up at Wedding: 10:15pDrop off at Chestnut Mountain: 10:30pDrop off at Galena Gazette 10:45p

Transportation

Room block reserved for Carlson - Stonecipher WeddingPlease call and mention the wedding to receive block rates50% deposit required, 7 day cancellation for full refundTwo - night minimum stay

Chestnut Mountain Resort

Le Fevre Inn & Resort

Stoney Creek Inn

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Galena, IL

The Irish Cottage Inn & Suites

Ramada by Wyndham Galena Hotel & Day Spa

Short Term Rental Options

- <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/s/Galena--IL--United-States/homes?tab_id=home_tab&amp;refinement_paths%5B%5D=%2Fhomes&amp;date_picker_type=calendar&amp;query=Galena%2C%20IL%2C%20United%20States&amp;place_id=ChIJsd3Hr6PP4ocRUNbb2RSpE6Q&amp;checkin=2021-10-01&amp;checkout=2021-10-03&amp;source=structured_search_input_header&amp;search_type=autocomplete_click" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Airbnb</a> - <a href="https://www.eagleridge.com/galena-il-homes.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eagle Ridge Rentals</a>- <a href="https://galenavacations.com/boulder-lane/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Boulder Vacation Rentals</a>- <a href="https://www.galenaarearentals.com/properties/eagles-nest/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Eagle's Nest</a>- <a href="https://www.elleandbecks.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Elle &amp; Beck's</a>- <a href="https://www.scenichideaways.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Scenic Hideaways</a>

Airport Information

- Chicago Midway Airport, Chicago, IL (180 mi)- O'Hare International Airport, Chicago, IL (156 mi)- General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, WI (162 mi)- Quad City International Airport, Moline, IL (97 mi)- Dubuque Regional Airport, Dubuque, IA (26 mi) *Note - Shuttles and busses are available from many of these airports and we are happy to help coordinate carpool options, as many guests will be arriving from the Chicago area*

Transportation / Accommodations 

We encourage you to visit Galena's 14th Annual Oktoberfest on the morning of the wedding. A shuttle will provide transportation between Chestnut Mountain, Oktoberfest and the Wedding. Admission to the festival is $10 for adults and includes: the Ceremonial Tapping of the Keg, Non-stop Live Music, Famous Wiener Dog Races, Polka Lessons and Dancing , A Bean Bag Tournament, The Beer Stein Endurance Contest A Bounce House and Pumpkin Decorating for kids, and great food and beer

Galena Oktoberfest

Blaum Bros. Distilling Co.

Alpine SlideRiver CruiseSegway ToursZiplining

Chestnut Mountain Activities

Apple River State ParkCaspar BluffsGalena River TrailHorseshoe MoundMines of Spain

Hiking along the Mississippi River

The Galena Brewing Company

Fever River Outfitters

Ulysses S. Grant Home

Things to Do

Tess Ridgway

Matt Stonecipher

Mike Carlson

Katie Stonecipher

Emily Fleege

Lindsay Stonecipher

Emily Lutter

Pat Nelson

Matt Vitorla

Chase Yurga-Bell

Porkchop

Wedding Party

Engagement Photos

Photos Through the Years

Photos

Registry

Please contact us directly with any questions – our contact information is below. Thank you for your love and patience.

Dave - <a href="mailto:stonecipherdr@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">stonecipherdr@gmail.com</a>Sarah - <a href="mailto:sec.carlson@gmail.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">sec.carlson@gmail.com</a>

FAQs

Sarah & Dave