Rehearsal Dinner

Pre-Wedding Bon Fire

Wedding Day

Guests Arrive

Fall

Our Wedding

Summer and Matt met during graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh, where they pursued different degrees in the same field. Matt became good friends with Rachel, Summer's roommate, so it was inevitable that Matt and Summer too became good friends. Matt and Summer became much closer their second year of grad school, where they could be found hanging out at a bar after class or watching movies with a group of friends. But, when covid hit and on-campus activities were canceled, Summer and Matt's apartments decided to "bubble" together. Since they only lived a 15 minute walk from each other, it just made sense. During those first isolating weeks, Matt and Summer realized they liked each other as more than friends and tried to hide it from their roommates. It remains unknown if there were suspicions during this time... Since covid lasted way too long, Summer ended up working at a non-profit in Pittsburgh. Once Matt found a job, he moved back to Pittsburgh to be close to Summer. They spent a lot of their free time together, traveling to Niagara Falls, Erie, Zion, Bryce Canyon, the Grand Canyon, and more in their off time. In 2021, they moved to the Washington, D.C. area, so that they could both work more directly in their fields. In 2022, they decided they'd stay a while and purchased a house together. They have lived in their first home together for over 3 years now, and the family feels complete, with 2 dogs (Athena and Maeve) and 2 cats (Wheezy and Rogue). Having been together for over 5 years now, Matt and Summer are ready to get married and formally join each others' families. In their free time, Matt and Summer enjoy hiking, being awful at trivia, visiting breweries, and traveling. They have traveled to seven countries together (and many separately) and look forward to more adventures in the years to come!

Somehow it makes sense

Our Story

Our Story in Photos

Engagement Photos

Please see a detailed itinerary for our wedding day below. 3:30-3:45pm: Guests Arrive*Please arrive by 3:45pm at the latest to ensure you have enough time to park and then walk or shuttle down to the site of the ceremony.* 4:00-4:30pm: Ceremony 4:30-5:45pm: Appetizers, Cocktail Hour, and Yard Games 6:00-7:30pm: Dinner 7:30-10:45pm: Dancing, Fire Pit, and Dessert 10:45-11:00pm: Grand Exit

Wedding Day Itinerary

Sam and Summer met in 2016 during their time at Heidelberg University. Summer was a senior and a member of the Kappa Psi Omega society when Sam decided to join as a Freshman. Though they didn't know each other well, Summer had a good feeling and decided to take Sam as her "kid." The two hit it off immediately and discovered they had a creepy amount of things in common. From obsessing over cute, furry animals, like their adopted hamster, Quito, to torturing themselves by running absurdly long distances and being mistaken for sisters, Sam and Summer knew their friendship was cemented. Even when Summer moved abroad, she and Sam kept in close contact. Though now living states apart, Summer and Sam text, call, and visit each other regularly. They both even got engaged within a month of each other :)

Sam Bensman

Crystal and Summer met in 8th grade when they were both on the "bears" side at middle school. They were both fairly quiet at the time, in their awkward puberty phases, but that's just because they were hiding their "weirdness." Anyway, they were forced to bond when they sat next to each other in English class and were surrounded by gross boys.

In the years since Middle School, Crystal and Summer have gone through a lot together-- suffering through high school sports, moving across states and cities to go to college and start different jobs, and in general, just growing through life. Summer and Crystal have gone out of their way to visit each other, go on trips around the country and world together, and try all the beers (Crystal started Summer's Untapped addiction). Now, with nearly 20 years of friendship, Crystal is ready to finally pawn Summer off to Matt.

Crystal Collins

Summer and Aly met in 2nd or 3rd grade... We'll get back to you on that. Aly just kept changing schools, so it's hard to say. Summer and Aly were friends throughout that time but really became close when they both decided to play tennis in high school. They made the team their own, playing doubles together and the top singles positions. They often grunted loudly to make the other team uncomfortable but then were too nice to be intimidating when close up. Only living a few miles apart, they often spent time at each others' houses and bonded over their love for cats and horror movies. They also worked at the same resort at Lake Raystown together for a few years and would be found after hours jumping down the water slides fishing for money to buy pizza. They did some weird things, but looking back, they would do it all again.. and in fact, they might just do it again next weekend. Not much has changed.

Aly Kratzer

Summer and Taylor met in third grade and became good friends immediately. They loved to play pranks on people and freak out others by claiming dolls and other random objects were haunted. After school, they could be found making stereotypical millennial videos that are way too embarrassing to watch now. They loved to have photo shoots and just be goofy together, driving each other to tears with their nonstop jokes. 

Summer and Taylor lost touch a bit at the beginning of college but reconnected and began visiting each other again regularly. When Summer moved to Germany, Taylor came to visit and they traveled to Belgium, the Netherlands, and France together. Later, when they both lived in Pittsburgh, they had weekly cooking and game nights-- and they now dearly miss those days. Now they live hours apart, but Taylor and Summer keep in touch and visit when possible. Taylor has a new baby, and Summer can't wait to watch whatever weird videos he makes growing up and scare him with haunted objects.

Taylor Shea

Hunter Marks

Dylan Yount

Wedding Party

Q + A

We have room blocks available for $159 from Thursday to Friday and for $189 from Friday to Sunday. This is about 20 minutes from the ceremony and reception.

Hampton Inn & Suites Charles Town

There are no hotel blocks at this location, but this is a good option very close to the ceremony and reception. This is 5 minutes from the venue and from Shepherdstown.

Bavarian Inn, Resort and Brewing Company

There are no hotel blocks for this hotel, but this is a good option for a suite! This is about 20 minutes from the ceremony/reception.

Home2 Suites by Hilton Charles Town

There are many AirBnBs in the area. I highly suggest looking if you'd prefer more space for your stay and if you want to stay directly in Shepherdstown but not at the Bavarian Inn.

Air Bnb Shepherdstown

The largest international airport closest to Shepherdstown-- it takes approximately 45 minutes-1 hour to drive. I would recommend renting a car and traveling around a bit if you are coming from abroad!

Dulles International Airport

If you need to take a train in from DC (or anywhere), the closest stations are Duffields (a 10-15 minute drive from Shepherdstown) or Martinsburg (a 20-25 minute drive from Shepherdstown).

The MARC - Duffields or Martinsburg

Travel & Accommodations

Walk around the cute downtown area of historic Shepherdstown! There are lots of little shops, cafes, and restaurants to see.

Historic Shepherdstown

Walk, jog, or bike along part of the C&amp;O Canal just across the bridge from Shepherdstown. This trail is pretty flat and takes you along the river. It's a nice, leisurely outdoor activity.

C&O Canal Lock 38

Just 20 minutes from Shepherdstown is the historical Harpers Ferry. There is a cute town to stroll around, lots of hiking (try Maryland Heights), and historical information about the town's history. A can't miss if you have the time!

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Try out this new brewery and restaurant- it's been years in the making!

Potomac Ridge Brewing

A National battlefield you can visit just 10-15 minutes from Shepherdstown. Lots of history here!

Antietam National Battlefield

An AMAZING old time ice cream place you must try if they are open-- they usually close at 8. You won't be disappointed!

Summer + Matthew