Native Rochester

Rehearsal Dinner

Historic German House

Rehearsal

Dinner

The Historic German House

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

We are so excited for you to come to our wedding. Please RSVP by September 13thFind more details about our wedding below

Open Mic

We will be having an open mic stage, with two sets throughout the evening, so start thinking of a song, poem, or speech you would like to preform! More details are below.

Please fill out this form if you plan to share something at the Open Mic during the reception!<a href="https://forms.gle/vi95DhoU82DMKFTT9" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Open Mic Google Form</a>

Kids

We love kids. However, on this day, we respectfully ask that only children 14 and over attend (with the exception of newborns and children who need to be with their parent). Please be in touch if this creates a barrier for you. If needed we will provide a babysitter at either the Strathallan hotel or our home in Fairport NY. Please let us know if you would like to do this on your RSVP form. You can also email Whitney at whitneyjfairchild@gmail.com with additional questions or concerns.

Our Wedding

It all started...

in January 2016 when Chris messaged Whitney on a dating website because she was cute. She had been waiting for the guy who liked to "pick fresh fruit off of trees while he went hiking" to reach out, and he swooped in with a corny pickup line. They decided to meet up at a local Mexican restaurant after talking for a few weeks and had a great time. The next week Whitney invited Chris to see Leonardo DiCaprio get mauled by a bear. The movie was great, but the cocktails at the up-scale restaurant were worse. Later, Chris and Whitney decided to spend another night talking and watching movies. Fast forward a few years, and Chris and Whitney still regularly watch movies and talk and now they are

Getting married!

Our Story

Places to Sleep

Book a room here by calling the hotel, or visiting the website link provided below. This hotel is off of East Avenue, located in the City of Rochester, about 5 minutes from our wedding venue.

The Strathallan Rochester Hotel & Spa - a DoubleTree by Hilton

Book by calling at 585-924-4400 ext. 0 and request to book under the Fairchild Hand Wedding, or visit the website link below. This hotel is located just off of the Thruway, and is about 20 minutes from our wedding venue.

Hampton Inn & Suites Rochester/Victor

Book by visiting the website link below. This hotel is located in Bushnell's Basin, within Pittsford, NY. It is a little further from the Thruway and about 15 minutes from our wedding venue.

Hilton Garden Inn Pittsford/Victor

Travel

Our Favorite...

Activities

Another great Saturday activity for art lovers. Get brunch on Park Ave or explore the Neighborhood of the Arts afterward.

Memorial Art Gallery

George Eastman Museum

Fun for adults AND kids! A great Saturday option before you head home.

The Strong Museum

Fun for breakfast, shopping, and general sightseeing. Stop at the Chai Guy or Duke's Donuts.

City of Rochester Public Market

Eats

Visit Dogtown for a garbage plate. Chris' favorite: Cheeseburgers with home fries and mac salad, everything on it with onions and ketchupWhitney's favorite: Italian Sausages with french fries and coleslaw, everything on it with ketchup

Dogtown

One of our favorite Mexican places!

Salena's Mexican Restaurant

The best Lebanese spot in the city of Rochester.

Cedar

If you'd prefer a healthier version of a garbage plate, try the Red Fern for delicious vegan eats. Great brunch!

The Red Fern

Drinks

The Chai Guy on Park Ave.

Wine, cheese, snacks. What more could you want?

Living Roots Wine & Co.

More wine, cheese, and probably cake.

Apogee Wine Bar

Things to Do

Bridesmaids and Matron of Honor

Whitney and Emily met in Wind Ensemble at Nazareth College in 2013. Whitney loved Emily's taste in fashion, especially multicolored gummi-bears hanging from her ears. When Whitney moved off campus, Emily became an honorary fifth roommate and partner in crime in the brass section. While they now live miles apart, they turn to each other often, regarding the most important things in life, from how to buy a house to whether to get Chipotle for dinner tonight (yes).  When Whitney met Chris online, Emily was the first one to receive texts and screenshots of his dating profile, and she played an integral part in helping Whitney to craft the perfect next message to send. 

Emily Johnson

Gina and Whitney met at Nazareth College and kindly allowed Whitney to take refuge in hers and Norene's dorm room on the second floor. Later, Gina and Whitney became roommates. From late night practicing, to early morning rushing to campus, to rearranging the curtains for the 18th time, to attempting to get Whitney to NOT leave her shoes all over the first floor, Gina and Whitney remained close friends and Whitney was over the moon when Gina decided to move back to Rochester, where they would continue their friendship and adventures together. Whitney and Chris adore Gina and are now happy to live very close to her and Chris L, where they enjoy walks on the trolley path and backyard fires as much as humanly possible. 

Gina Lane

Norene was Whitney's upstairs neighbor in the dorms at Nazareth College, and graciously allowed Whitney to join the "Norina" power duo upstairs when Whitney's room was otherwise occupied. Norene then agreed to move to an off campus apartment with Whitney, Gina and Hannah, and they spent the rest of their days gallivanting through Park Avenue and getting brunch (but actually mostly practicing in the communal music room). Norene has been a steady and incredibly kind friend throughout the years, and it is an honor to have her part of this special day!

Norene Braun

Hannah was the first mastermind in getting Gina, Norene and Whitney to move off campus in their junior year of college. With her savvy know how and calm demeanor, she managed to help four very different personalities to cohabitate, and it was one of the best times of their lives! When Hannah moved off to Boston for a few years, Whitney visited her about a week after she and Chris met. Hannah was nothing but supportive and excited, and has been a wonderful friend to Whitney and Chris through the years. They were overjoyed when she decided to return to Rochester. Hannah has been one of the most creative and thoughtful quarantine friends, and Whitney and Chris are honored to have her part of their special day!

Hannah Schuetz

Claudette and Whitney have been an inseparable pair since the days of their L.L. Bean matching coats and singing in children's choir at church. As an only child, Whitney considered Claudette her family, and spent many days and evenings at the Martin's home in East Greenbush. At one point Whitney was bestowed the loving nickname, "Dill" since she just never seemed to go home sometimes... Claudette and her family have remained close to the Fairchilds, spending many holidays and important events together, eventually merging and purchasing wine glasses engraved with the name, "FairMar". The Martins also lovingly accepted Chris into the clan without a second thought. Claudette and Whitney have remained close despite distance and have shared the trials and tribulations of many changes in life - from new jobs as music therapists, goat farmers, and social workers to new houses and new pets! Chris and Whitney's life and wedding day would be incomplete without Claudette's beautiful presence. 

Claudette Davis

Best Man and Groomsmen

The Chris's met way back in the mid '90s when Chris L's mom moved into the neighborhood. They became fast friends and have remained extremely close ever since. While Whitney has taken up a lot more of Chris Hand's time the past couple of years, he ALWAYS makes time for his best bud, whether it is hanging out in the backyard having a fire, or putzing around the neighborhood on a golf cart like lawless fugitives. Whitney is so glad that Chris L is part of their lives, because she counts on Chris L to help her keep everyone important alive when the zombie apocalypse comes.

Chris LaFica

Keith and Chris are old neighborhood friends who met on the school
bus in middle school. Chris and his buddies have great memories of spending time with Keith at his folks place in Wayland, and the many adventures they went on.

Keith Van Norstrand

James and Chris have been close friends since college. They were part of the robotics club together when in high school but did not start to hang out regularly until college. Chris and Whitney have great memories with James, from long days spent playing D&D while James' cat tried to eat dice to enjoying Halloween parties, and much more. We are so happy to have him as a part of our special day. 

James Brunhuber

David has been a great friend and part of the crew for many years. David and Chris went to high school together and remained friends ever since. Chris and Whitney love spending time with David and Kaitlyn, and their furry family and can't wait to see them in person after a long year or two of isolation. The couple will never forget the amazing New Years 2020 musical ensemble in their Rochester 800sq ft apartment that wouldn't have been made possible without Fireball from David. 

David Petersen

Zach and Chris have been great friends for many years. They met in middle school when Zach heard that Chris had a trampoline. Later that year Zach and Chris were on the middle school wrestling team together and became close friends. They were in many bowling leagues throughout high school and college—even when Zach was living in Buffalo. When Whitney met Chris, Zach had just gotten married and Chris talked about his friend Zach's wedding A LOT. Chris was so happy to be part of Zach's special day and is honored to have his close friend come all the way from Florida for the wedding!

Whitney & Chris