HayLoft In The Grove

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

How we MetWe met in June of 2011 on a camping trip to the 1000 Islands. Christina was working on the St. Lawrence River as a fisheries biologist at the time and Sarah was there camping with her friends Amanda &amp; Amanda, who also happened to be good friends with Christina. Later that summer we met again at Can-Ams, a huge rugby tournament in Saranac Lake/Lake Placid, NY. This would later become our anniversary date because who doesn't want to spend their anniversary at a rugby tournament with hundreds of other rugby players?!? ;) For the first year and a half of dating, Christina lived in Syracuse finishing her Masters degree at the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. In December of 2012, Christina moved to Buffalo where after renting an apartment for a few years, we decided to make Buffalo our permanent home and bought a HOUSE!Our Engagement On December 22, 2014, we celebrated Christmas early together since Sarah was going to Florida with her family and Christina was headed to Long Island. After a relaxing morning of opening gifts and having brunch, we headed to the Holiday Pops concert at the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. After the concert, Christina made dinner reservations at the Roycroft Inn, an Arts and Crafts landmark in East Aurora, NY. Before dinner, Christina insisted on walking around the Roycroft Campus, despite the freezing temps (anyone who knows Sarah knows that the cold is NOT her favorite!!) It was then that Christina asked Sarah to spend the rest of their lives together. After some crying, the answer was, of course, YES!

Our Story

Details

Photos

Who they are: Sarah's younger  (and only) sisterHow long they've been friends: Since 1988, haha really Sarah was not thrilled to have to share the spotlight, but as it turns out, Rachel is a pretty great person :)A favorite memory: Our family would take vacations over summer break growing up.   When Sarah was about 8 and Rachel was 4, our family packed up the motor-home and hit the road for a 4 week vacation. We drove all the way down to Florida (where Rachel now lives) and spent time with family and went to DISNEY!! 

Rachel Francis

Who they are: Christina's younger (and only) brother.How long they've been friends: a few years after TJ was born ;) once Christina realized she wasn't the only grandchild/niece anymore,  and one hernia operation later.  A favorite memory: some of the best times Christina and TJ (or Tom as he's now called) spent together were in their own backyard playing wiffleball, football, basketball, rollerblading, skateboarding, bike riding, hide and go seek, or any sport they could think of or make up.  However, quite a few of these days would end with TJ running inside yelling "Mom she hit me" (not always true). Also, LET'S GO METS!!

Thomas Killourhy

Who they are: Rugby teammate of Sarah and Christina How long they've been friends: Sarah has known Mia since 2010 and Christina since 2011A favorite memory: Over 4th of July Weekend 2014, we went camping at Buttermilk Falls in Ithaca NY.   Although the weekend started out with heavy rains, the sun came out the next morning and we got to hike the falls, swim in the creeks, and play lawn games all weekend long!!  

Mia Kenney

Who they are: Sarah and Caitlin met while working at the BAC for Women and Christina met Caitlin when she moved to BuffaloHow long they've been friends: Office dance parties since 2011A favorite memory: Christina and Sarah have spent many lazy summer days grilling delectable meats while imbibing local craft brews on  patios with Caitlin.  Occasionally these nights would lead to a chill dart or pool game at McGarrett's.  Sometimes the simple things in life really are the best.

Caitlin Mahoney

Who they are: Sarah and Danielle met while attending Graduate School togetherHow long they've been friends: since 2008A favorite memory: Sarah and Danielle once embarked on a mission to make vegan chocolate cupcakes. They neither had any idea of how to make them or a smartphone to aid them in their quest (yes they're that old).  Instead, the two of them tried to "wing it" and throw a bunch of ingredients they thought might go together.  The product that resulted from this adventure from there on out was referred to as "mush cakes."  Danielle ate them anyway while Sarah looked on in horror.  

Danielle Brooks

Who they are: Christina's only female cousinHow long they've been friends: Since Courtney stopped asking Christina to play barbies with her.  A favorite memory:  Christina and Courtney spent many summers racing bikes up and down the sidewalks and boardwalks of Fire Island.  This was the only place the children were allowed  to get ice cream, candy, or go to the playground without adult supervision.  They frequented the Atlantic Ocean beaches where they were the first to go in the water and last to come out.  The only break they would take was to ride their bikes back to the house to eat lunch and then they would quickly return to ride more waves.  Their family was very concerned they were going to sprout gills at any moment.  These were some of the best memories they shared, despite the fact that their bathing suites were often filled with sand and they would occasionally get stung by jellyfish. 

Courtney Mitchell

Who they are: a Rugby teammate of Sarah and Christina. How long they've been friends: Sarah has known Ashley since meeting her in college  in 2005 and Christina has known Ashley since 2011.A favorite memory: Ashley and Sarah had a HUGE! joint Birthday party when Ashley turned 30 and Sarah turned 29 (on the 29th).  The party started with brunch and mimosas, included a 4 hour scavenger hunt through the city, and ended at Our Bar (our rugby bar) for a big birthday celebration!  

Ashley Allen

Who they are: a rugby teammate of Sarah and Christina'sHow long they've been friends: Since 2012A favorite memory: one of the activities our rugby team participates in are the Dragon Boat races, held every June in Buffalo.  The money raised from this event helps the Hope Chest team of Buffalo, who are all women that are currently battling  or have survived breast cancer.  Leah was the one who encouraged the team's involvement, and every spring we get to go out on the water and practice rowing the boats before the big race in June! It is always a ton of fun and really hard work :)

Leah  Pabst

Who they are: Sonny and Sarah met when they worked at the Burchfeild Penny Art Center How long they've been friends: Sarah has known Sonny since 2007A favorite memory: this past Summer Sonny, Sarah, and a few friends went to Magnaball,  a music festival put on by the band Phish.  The whole weekend was spent camping, listening to hours of music, and outdoor art displays!

Sonny Baker

Who they are: Amanda introduced Sarah and Christina on a camping trip in the 1000 Islands in 2011.How long the've been friends: Sarah has known Amanda since 2005 and Christina since 2010A favorite memory: It's hard to pick just one!  When Christina moved to Syracuse for graduate school, Amanda was one of her first rugby and cuddling  ;) friends on the team.  They started many weekends with Amanda refuting all Christina's excuses that she couldn't hang out, resulting in many bonfires, bar nights, and sleepovers (and hangovers).  Chase was always welcome too! Sarah and Amanda were best friends in college and  did everything from play rugby, build parade floats, and spend time in their favorite watering holes, usually followed by  the not-to-be-missed Jim's Steakout for some late night eats!! Since Amanda now lives in Rome, NY (about 3 hours from Buffalo) a weekend to Buffalo usually means cramming as many activities into the 2 or 3 days as we possibly can!

Amanda Benoit

Who they are: Chas and Sarah met while playing rugby in college How long they've been friends: Since 2005 A favorite memory: When Chas turned 21, Sarah, Chas, and a few friends  packed up and headed west to Southern California.  After staying at her parents house for a few days, they drove to her grandparents in Nevada to go jet skiing and hang out on the boat.  We then continued to Las Vegas for her Birthday Celebration!  Even though the car they drove had no AC (in the middle of July), it was a trip to remember!!

Chasity Pulliam

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

We are providing transportation to and from the hotel for both out of town and local guests. The Bus will depart from the Hotel at 2:15 to get to the venue in time for the ceremony and will return guests to the hotel after the reception is over. The block of rooms is reserved from Thursday night with a check out on Sunday at 11am. Call and ask for the Francis/Killourhy Block of rooms, the price will be $159. reserve online <a href="https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&amp;eventID=14806474" target="_blank">https://resweb.passkey.com/Resweb.do?mode=welcome_ei_new&amp;eventID=14806474</a>

Hyatt Regency Buffalo / Hotel and Conference Center

*** June UPDATE: The block of rooms are book but there might be more that become available, there is another wedding that has a block of rooms the same weekend and if they do not use all of their more will be released to the public and honored at the group discounted rate. The rooms vary in size and price, call for more details. The block is under Sarah Francis or Christina Killourhy

Roycroft Inn

June Update: The hotel is fully booked but you can call and ask if they have had a cancellation and they will honor the group rate. There are still rooms at the Hyatt and we are providing transportation to and from the wedding. The block of rooms is under Francis/Killourhy. Rooms at this hotel are limited since it is a smaller hotel, the block price is $189.You can call or book online <a href="http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/B/BUFEAHX-FKW-20160714/index.jhtml" target="_blank">http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/groups/personalized/B/BUFEAHX-FKW-20160714/index.jhtml</a>

Hampton Inn East Aurora

Travel

Check out one of the seven wonders of the world! About 25min from downtown Buffalo

Niagara Falls, NY

A newer addition to Downtown Buffalo, great view of the water, lawn games, art instillation's and resturants within walking distance

Canalside

Check out this local brewery! Christina is an Assistant Brewer!! They have a tasting room that you can get flights or pints for only $5. Open Thursday-Saturday noon-8

Flying Bison Brewing Company

Check out the best burgers in town with a very impressive 24 tap system. Sarah is a server here!! The kitchen is open until midnight on Thursday and 1am on Friday and Saturday if you need a late night bite to eat! The Tater Tots are handmade and not to be missed!!

Allen Burger Venture

Home of the Original Buffalo Wing!! This is also where Sarah and her Dad came to eat in a snow storm the day Rachel was born!

Anchor Bar

This is located in East Aurora where the wedding will be held. The Roycroft Campus has many talented Artists that create pieces in the traditional Arts and Crafts Style!! Lots of shops to check out, but with a hefty handmade price tag, we love to "window shop."This is also where Sarah and Christina got Engaged!

The Darwin Martin House, Barton House, and Gardner's Cottage were all designed and built by the one and only Frank Lloyd Wright! Tours are available to add a little bit of history to your trip! The Westeria Shop, located on the campus, is where Sarah fell in love with the dinnerware that was designed to match the house!!

Sarah & Christina