Thursday Rehearsal

Colonial Heritage Club

Thursday Rehearsal Dinner

St. Olaf Catholic Church

Williamsburg Church Wedding

Guest Arrival

Ceremony

Reception

King Family Vineyards

Saturday Rehearsal

Saturday Rehearsal Dinner

Charlottesville Vineyard Wedding

Cocktail Hour

Please see Q&A for Clarifications

Our Wedding

We met one evening at a Wegman's in Charlottesville, VA. I was working as a sales girl, and he was a part time Tae Kwon Do instructor and full time academic... Well, that COULD have been our meet cute. We lived a few neighborhoods away from each other for 4 years in Charlottesville, shopped at the same grocery store, and after Chris described his Tae Kwon Do get up, I distinctly remember seeing him at the sandwich counter. But it was 7 years later that we actually met, as Chris likes to say, via email.

The "Meet Cute"

One Sunday, perched in a chair at my parent's house sipping coffee, I decided to open up my Hinge app. I had been on it for almost a year, perusing the options periodically, and being generally disheartened by it, as anyone who has been subjected to the realities of online dating understands. I had prayed about my future husband for years, and didn't think I would find him, and certainly not on the internet. A week prior to this last ditch look on Hinge, I prayed again. I had just turned 34 and told God that I would look for a husband for another year, and if I didn't meet him by 35, then God decidedly wanted me to be single. I opened up the app, and saw a cute guy with bright blue eyes holding a puppy. His profile looked promising, and on top of that he sent a paragraph about his favorite movie: Lord of the Rings. We started chatting in paragraphs, and I became intrigued and excited to meet up. We set a first date to go axe throwing, and when he walked in, my stomach did a flip. It was the best first date I had ever had. We talked, flirted, and when it was over (hours later), I knew I wanted to see this man again. A few weeks go by and we had not set another date. Illness, snow, and other things got in our way. As the texts began to slow down, I chalked it up to busyness. Chris had a full time job and spent all his weekends writing, but I liked him. So, I simply asked that we set another date, or if he was too busy, to contact me when he was free, since I did like him and wanted to see him again. He didn't hesitate, and we met up for a trivia night. We had an instant connection, and began spending all our time together. A month in I was his girlfriend, a short time after came the exchange of "I love you", and at about 2 months in, we knew. At 3 months, on Ocracoke Island, Chris took me to a private beach, rose petals everywhere, got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said yes (Later, however, I had to confirm with Chris that I actually said the word yes, since I was too much of a happy mess to remember).

Susan's Story

I was ready to give up on dating apps..It hadn’t been a long run. A year and a few months at most, all spurred on by a family friend who practically tied my fingers to my phone and forced me to make a Bumble account. I’d run the gambit. Texting paragraphs into a void, only to be ghosted; first dates that were one-sided in terms of interest and effort; people who weren’t anything like the mask their profile presented..In the end, I was left with a single rose on Hinge. There’s some poetic irony in that. A Bachelor-style setup straight off the silver screen. My romantic, forever-trapped-in-a-storybook brain hatched a plan:.I would send the rose to the next girl who caught my eye and then . . ... . . I’d be done..That girl was my “most compatible,” chosen by the Hinge algorithm as someone who might—just possibly—be my perfect match..It was right..Susan was breathtaking in her green dress. Raven-black hair that spilled down to her shoulders, eyes that shifted from seafoam to gold depending on the light, lips that quirked up at the corners, laughing at a joke only she could hear. One look, and I was caught in Susan’s spell. But what pushed me over the edge was what lay between her profile pictures:.Nerdiness and faith..A flicker of hope sparked inside me. I sent the rose along with an entire paragraph of text proclaiming my love for Lord of the Rings. Not just a sentence or two—a full dissertation on why it’s the best film series in history..And I received an essay from Susan in return. What followed was a flurry of back-and-forth messages on every subject: movies, vacations, books, music, food, hiking, and so, SO much more. I apparently put so much ink to page that Susan had to set aside thirty minutes to an hour every night to reply to everything. We even developed a category system so the thousand threads of our various conversations wouldn’t get lost..Our first date was scheduled in a flash: axe-throwing followed by dinner at a pub and pool hall. Like always, I walked through the door with butterflies in my stomach. Doubts, fears, and a hundred other worries tangled up into a knot that nearly lashed me to the door. Fortunately, Axe Republic has sliding doors, so the knots didn’t hold..Susan was waiting for me on the other side. All my anxiety fled when she smiled, and for the first time since I’d started dating, every moment of the evening came naturally. We matched wits over axe-throwing, doing more gum-flapping than wood-impalement. Susan stopped me on several occasions. I was stacking up so many questions and follow-ups she couldn’t focus on her throws, which was the centerpiece of my grand strategy. Despite Susan being a once-in-a-generation natural, my gift of gab secured the win..Leaving Axe Republic, I took Susan’s hand. It wasn’t pre-planned, but my body moved on its own. It felt right, and when Susan squeezed my hand back, all the cold of that February night couldn’t snuff out the glow in my chest..Remember how I mentioned Susan’s faith? It was all over her Hinge profile: a woman on fire for Christ who wanted a man whose conviction ran just as deep. So, in typical Chris fashion, I prayed over dinner and then unburdened myself of my entire testimony—when I was saved, falling away in college, becoming Catholic, the whole enchilada..Susan didn’t blink..She didn’t run away..And at that moment, I knew I’d discovered someone special. So many other dates who claimed to be Christian balked the moment I brought up religion. They retreated into their shells, started giving awkward, stilted answers, and then—after the date—gradually disappeared with shorter and shorter texts..Susan responded to my passion. Told me her story, accepted my faith without question. I don’t know if I’d ever felt so seen and cherished as I did in that moment..It might have been a first date, but I think I was already falling for Susan. I turned up the flirting during pool, leaning into Susan during her turns, whispering in her ear, attempting ridiculous trick shots I had no hope of pulling off. Time flew by. Seconds into minutes into hours..And then . . . we had to say goodbye..What follows is a BIG debate between Susan and I. I walked her to her car, worked up my courage over a few strained jokes, and kissed her. It was fast and nervous. A quick peck as my brain overloaded and I desperately tried not to linger, determined not to.Mess..This..Up..Susan isn’t certain it was a kiss at all, but I made sure to rectify that on date two . . . two weeks later. What followed our magical first night was an angry flight of harpies doing everything in their power to keep us apart. A snowstorm hit. I got the worst case of flu in my life. And to top it all off, the oldest dog in my family, Maddie—the dog my parents got when I went to college—passed away..Yet in the sorrow of those setbacks, Susan stuck by me. She texted me, telling me how much fun she’d had, how she wanted to see me again—even if it meant waiting until I finished the book I was working on. I couldn’t let this chance pass me by. The chance to be with the love of my life, to experience true happiness and bliss, to know and cherish and build a future with the soulmate God prepared for me..And so, I put my book on hold..Put everything else on hold. Except my job—I needed the money for dates..We went to trivia. Then virtual golf. Movies and escape rooms and church outings and cooking nights and more pool and years of dates, all crammed into the space of a few months. Within two weeks, I asked Susan to be my girlfriend. Within three weeks, I confessed my love to her as the first—and only—girl I’ve ever truly loved..And within three months, I proposed. I went down on one knee on a tiny, secluded beach on Ocracoke Island. The winds stilled, the boat horns stopped for a short, blissful moment, and the clouds that had dogged the island all season parted to reveal God’s light. I was a mess, all tears as the words sprang from the depths of my soul, “Susan Elaine Owsley, will you marry me?”.Her reply was instantaneous, squeezed through her own screen of tears:.“I will.”.Then the boat horns resumed at full force: an entire ferry full of vacationers had witnessed the entire scene, their cheers, applause, and well wishes adding to the magic of the moment..I’m crying as I write this, remembering that wonderful day.And I’ll be crying when Susan comes down the aisle in her breathtaking dress. Raven hair spilling down to her shoulders, eyes shifting from green to gold and every shade in-between, the corners of her lips quirked up in a radiant smile that’s for me and me alone..I can’t wait to marry you, Susan Elaine Owsley..I can’t wait to say, “I do.”

Chris' Story

Our Story

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Williamsburg Hotels 

Room Type: Single King and Double Queens AvailableParking: FreeNumber of Rooms Available: 10Last Day to Book: 5/25/26 ﻿Note: Closest to St. Olaf Church

Holiday Inn Express Williamsburg North by IHG

Room Type: Single King and Double Queens AvailableParking: FreeNumber of Rooms Available: 10Last Day to Book: 5/25/2026 Note: This property has been fully renovated, but some online photos show the old rooms.

Courtyard by Marriott Williamsburg Busch Gardens Area

This is a is not a true room block but a link with a discount code applied. After clicking on "Website," the Hilton website will open with the special rate code attached. In the edit stay area, select your arrival date and your departure date. Next, complete the number of rooms you will&nbsp;need and the number of guests for each room. Then click update. The room types available will populate. Select the room type you desire and complete your reservation. Please keep in mind that the regular rate does change daily. If you look at it today and make a reservation, the price could be different if you looked at it at a later date. Any restriction, like a 2-night minimum will also apply to this discount code.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Williamsburg

Charlottesville Hotels

The shuttle to King Family Vineyards will be running to and from the Hilton Garden Inn. If you are staying elsewhere but would like to take the shuttle, you can park at or uber to the Hilton.

Room Type: Single King or Double Queen AvailableParking: FreeNumber of Room Available: 25Last Day to Book: 5/30/2026 Select "Website" button for Reservation Link

Hilton Garden Inn Charlottesville

Room Type: Studio King Suits with Living area &amp; KitchenParking: Garage Parking $15 per vehicle per dayNumber of Rooms Available: 15Last Day to Book: 5/27/2026 Note: For those planning to stay on Sunday, a reduced rate of $179 is available. However, Marriott’s system does not allow us to set up room blocks with multiple rates. As a result, rooms will initially be booked at the standard rate of $259 and then adjusted to reflect the lower Sunday rate prior to arrival. Select "Website" button for Reservation Link

Residence Inn by Marriott Charlottesville Downtown

Room Type: Single King and Double Queen AvailableParking: FreeNumber of Rooms Available: 20Last Day to Book: 5/13/2026 Note: The rate of $160 a night is for the 2 night stay. The Saturday only rate is $205 and the Sunday only rate is $115. Select "Website" for Reservation Link

Hampton Inn Charlottesville

Hotels

If you love history, we recommend a visit Colonial Williamsburg! Stop in the Shops on Duke of Gloucester Street, eat at the DoG Street Pub, and take a tour of the historical town.

Colonial Williamsburg

A bit of an adrenaline junky? Try the roller coasters at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. They also have great shows if you prefer to sit and sip a cold drink on a hot summer day.

Busch Gardens Williamsburg

If waterslides are more your speed than roller coasters, try Water Country USA. Always a good way to cool down in the summer.

Water Country USA

We LOVE to hike. Humpback Rocks is a very popular hike in the Charlottesville/Waynesboro area. You can walk straight to the summit and back down (1 mile up and 1 mile down), OR hike the full 4 mile loop and take the gentle switchbacks back to the parking lot (easier on the knees).

Humpback Rocks

Love a local craft beverage or an AMAZING view? We recommend scanning the wineries and breweries on the Nelson 151 site. Some of the locations are fantastic restaurants in addition to being a brewery. You can play cornhole, listen to live music, or just soak in the sun at a gorgeous location.

Nelson Country Craft Beverage Trail

Another great spot for history buffs! If you'd like to tour the home of Thomas Jefferson, buy tickets for Monticello. You can also walk on the Monticello trail, stop by Michie's Tavern, and visit the General Store.

Monticello

Charlottesville's Downtown Mall has ALL the charm. You can visit great restaurants, boutique shops, quaint second hand bookshops, and theaters all lined up on a brick paved street. Check out the events on the weekend, and see if any pique your interest!

Downtown Mall

If you have ever dreamed of taking a trail ride through a vineyard, then we recommend Rebel's Run with Mimi. Starting at the barn, you'll take a scenic tour through the woods to Afton Mountain Winery.

Rebel's Run at Afton Mountain

And finally... Did we mention that our Wedding Venue is also a polo field? Visit King Family to see a polo match on Sunday morning and get a sneak peek of the location before the ceremony.

Susan & Christopher

Susan & Christopher

S&C

Williamsburg Church Wedding

1:30 PM–2:00 PM

Guest Arrival

2:00 PM–3:00 PM

Ceremony

3:00 PM–5:00 PM

Reception

Charlottesville Vineyard Wedding

5:30 PM–6:00 PM

Guest Arrival

6:00 PM–6:30 PM

Ceremony

6:30 PM–7:30 PM

Cocktail Hour

7:30 PM–11:30 PM

Reception

Please see Q&A for Clarifications