Tellico Village Yacht Club

Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Our Wedding

Zach and Tess met the exact way Tess said she'd never find a boyfriend. . . on a dating app. Tess technically made the first move by liking Zach's profile but he started the conversation first with a line about Tess' favorite singer, Taylor Swift. From there, the two texted for a week before going on their first date a Monday Night Brewery where they bonded over the fact that neither one of them really even liked beer. Zach was so focused on Tess that he didn't realize his dog had chewed through her leash and was wandering around the brewery. After the first date, it was clear that they both really liked one another and they went on their second date just two days later. While on the second date, Tess got a call from her parents and they somehow immediately could tell that she was on a date, though she lied and said she wasn't. Zach overheard the lie and laughed. Within a week, the pair had gone on three dates and Zach had to go out of town for a wedding. Coincidentally, a new Taylor Swift album was dropping that same week. Zach spent his drive to the wedding listening to the album so that he could talk to Tess about her favorite songs. Zach saw Tess finish law school and was there for her as she studied for the Bar. Together they've gone to Chicago, Puerto Rico, the UK, Dallas, the Caribbean, and several beach trips. Tess has taken Zach along to Georgia Tech football games and the two watched every Ohio State playoff and championship game together! Zach has shared his love of basketball and the OKC Thunder with Tess and they even traveled to go see OKC's first playoff game of 2024. And every year for Tess' birthday Zach gets her tickets to a musical or ballet. In April 2025, Tess went on what she thought was a girls trip to Navarre Beach for her roommate's birthday. Little did she know that Zach had orchestrated the whole weekend so that he could propose! Tess and her friends went down to the beach to take some photos before dinner and they distracted her while Zach quietly ran up behind her and got on one knee. Tess was so surprised she screamed! When he asked, she happily said yes!

Our Story

Photos

Christian Shaheen

Robby Mays

One of Tess' best friends and her roommate!

Sarah Verlander

Tess' brother and Zach's soon to be brother in law!

Adam Shaheen

Mackenzie Mays

One of Zach's best friends since high school!

Kyle Schmidt

One of Tess' best friends from Georgia Tech!

Olivia Ulrich

One of Zach's best friends from University of Cincinnati!

Stephen Johnson

One of Tess' best friends since middle school!

Mary Lyddon Thatcher

Braden Olszewski

Ellie Ristau

Katie Goins

Wedding Party

We will continue to update the Q&amp;As but see below for some commonly asked questions.

Q + A

Click the link below or call the hotel and request rooms under the Shaheen-Mays Wedding block.

Fairfield by Marriott Inn & Suites Knoxville Lenoir City/I-75

Alternate Accommodation

The hosts currently have an AirBnb reserved in the area that can sleep up to 12 guests. If you are interested in utilizing this alternative accommodation, please reach out to the bride or groom by April 30th.

Travel

Great amusement park for all ages!

Dollywood

Loudon/Knoxville

Tennessee National Golf Club

Holy Land Market

East lakeshore Trail System at Tellico Lake

Chattanooga

Great spot for families! Bring bathing suits for the fountains, stroll along the river, or walk the North Shore for shopping and food.

Coolidge Park

Tennessee Aquarium

A favorite spot of the Bride for food or drinks that overlooks the river.

Tess & Zach