february 23, 2019
Gainesville, Florida
How We Met
Chelsea visited Mike's office. Mike was wearing a yellow polo, Chelsea was wearing a black and white shift dress, Mike offered Chelsea a piece of coconut chicken in a zip lock bag, Chelsea declined, however, didn't decline seeing mike again. They went on regular gym (BONEYARD) sessions together and the rest is history.
The Proposal
While on vacation in England, we went to see the Cliffs of Dover. When we arrived at the national trust park, we realized it was too foggy to see anything. A kind man at the visitor center gave us directions to this hidden beach area with amazing views of the cliffs. We were the only people there for a while until a couple walking their dog came along. Mike asked them to take our photo and then suddenly he turned and got down on one knee!
Ceremony
The Ceremony will be held at The Baughman Center at 5:30 PM.
It's going to be amazing. Bring tissues.
RECEPTION
Great food, great music and bad dancing will take place following the ceremony at 6:15 PM at Sweetwater Branch Inn.
Fly
Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) is the closest airport to us. This is a regional airport, you will more than likely have to fly in via Atlanta or Charlotte.
Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) is about an hour an a half away.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) is just under two hours away. AND Mickey Mouse lives near here.
Drive
If you're driving, you're probably using a Map app which will do a better job at directing you than us! However, Gainesville is located just off of I-75.
ACCOMMODATIONS
For your convenience, we have reserved a block at the Hampton Inn, Downtown Gainesville.
The hotel is a five minute walk from the reception venue and around 3 miles from the ceremony venue.
Make your reservation by February 1st, 2019 and use the code MGW to get in on the reduced rate and room block!
check out some pics of us over the years. Definite Model Material.
Shruti Thompson - Maid of Honor
- High School BFF
- Friends since 7th Grade
- Ride or Die Gossip Girl Gang
- Strength: following directions
- Taylor Swift Fan Girl
- Wants world peace.
Cass Christie - Bridesmaid
- High School BFF
- Also engaged and wedding planning
- Ride or Die Gossip Girl Gang
- Strength: following directions
- Voice of reason
- Will not file your taxes for you.
Courtney Burdock - Bridesmaid
- College BFF and Roomie
- Really wants bright pink floral bridesmaid dresses.
- Bonded over ordering a Chicken Caesar Pita and a Diet Coke from Pita Pit.
- Always text each other when we hear Atlantic City by The Band.
Lauren Safran- Bridesmaid
- College Sorority Little sister!
- Current city dweller in DC
- Will never be too old to take a big little photo
- Great at dressing in coordinated outfits
Nicole Henderson - Bridesmaid
- Friends since 8th grade
- Also engaged and wedding planning
- Fantastic Dancer and story teller
- Should have her own makeup youtube channel
Heather Smith - Bridesmaid
- High School Acquaintance
- Will spend 5 hours in a Dillard's outlet store with you.
- Will pack 7 pairs of shoes for a 3 day trip.
- Lover of cheese, The Weeknd and Kanye
Adam Mills - BEST Man
- Mike's BEST friend.
- Enlisted instead of going to officer school to avoid a possible "General Mills" situation in the future.
- Ran track together, golfed together, ate buffets together, conquered the world together (in progress.)
Jake (Donny) Mills - Groomsman
- Tall and Gangly
- The third Amigo
- Married with a daughter, sorry ladies.
- Swam in college, cycled after that
- Lives in New Mexico. Yeah, good luck striking up a conversation about that.
Paul Regan - Groomsman
- Not tall
- Middle School and High School BEST friend.
- Mike pretty much grew up in his house - no, like seriously. Mike's mom would drop him off with a pack of cheese sticks and bologna, then come back 2 days later. To replenish cheese and bologna stocks, not to pick Mike up.
- Lived in Gainesville for 4 months. Sorry buddy, they closed down "Gator City"
What's the Alcohol Situation
Don't worry, we will have free drinks!! We will be serving beer & wine! (Bring cash for tipping the bartenders!)
What is the dress code?
Formal-Cocktail, please. But we want you to feel comfortable, so if those shoes are too high or that top button is too tight, let it all hang loose.
Can I bring a date?
If your invitation says “and Guest,” then yes, if not, [then no] we would prefer if it was just you.
I'm driving, where should I park?
Great question! For the ceremony, there's a lot attached to the Baughman Center and if that's filling up, there's a lot on the other side of Museum Road.
For the Reception, there's a lot across University Avenue at the Kirby Smith Center - park there!
Cool if I get a DUI so I can come visit again in 6 months for my court date?
No. Take an uber.
If you are staying at the Hampton Inn, Downtown (scroll up for details on our group rate,) it is a five minute walk back to the hotel.
If you are staying somewhere else, please use a DD or call an Uber or Lyft - they are generally abundant and reliable in this area.
Cute Dog! What's his name?
Thanks! It's actually a she, and her name is Kite :)
Kindly Respond by January 12
We will wed and dine in complete silence, as is traditional for Giblin weddings. Here are the 100 songs we would have played were we not such sticklers for tradition.
