Date and Venue

Hello! We're back with some exciting wedding news after a long hiatus. When we first got engaged, I couldn't focus on, talk about, or even think about anything other than our wedding. Well, I am just as excited to marry Matt as I was then, we've just been so busy living our lives and doing our jobs that the enchantments have been somewhat lifted, and our lives go on as normal. I find that for us, the planning of our wedding comes in waves. There are weeks when it is our main focus, and others where one of us will look at the other and say, "I can't possibly talk about the wedding right now." That being said, it really hasn't been very stressful so far, and things are going well. So well in fact, that I am pleased and excited to officially record the date and place of our wedding on our official/unofficial all things Matt and Kirby internet archive.

I'd like to start with a little background information on how we decided to get married in the fall. Matt's sister/my dear friend Anna graduated from college about a month or two before we got engaged. Her post-graduation plans were to move to England, and work and live at a school for people with special needs. I, of course, was thrilled by this choice, and so excited that Anna was pursuing the work (in a much braver way) that I have dedicated myself to. Her plans were originally to live and work at this school for 11 months, bringing her back to the states midsummer 2012. Although, she loves it so much that now I'm not sure if she'll ever return to us for good! Matt and I would never dream of getting married without her, so fall 2012 quickly became the agreed upon time. I couldn't be happier with this choice. I mean, what in the world is better than a beautiful fall day?

With the roundabout time chosen, we set off in search of a beautiful and rustic venue where we could have an outdoor ceremony and an indoor reception. With both sets of parents and Matt's sister Rebecca by our sides, we visited three beautiful venues. Two of them called out to us in a big way, and we had a somewhat difficult time deciding between them. Many repetitive conversations, pro-con lists, and sleepless nights later, we decided on the Laurita Winery in New Egypt, NJ, and we haven't looked back since. Laurita  is just 30 minutes from Toms River, but it is such a tucked away little gem that while you're there, you feel like you could be anywhere. After reviewing their open dates, we decided upon October 5th. It's a Friday, and the ceremony will begin at 7:00 pm. I have had many daydreams of walking towards Matt with a setting sun and slightly yellowed vineyard behind him. I'm ready!

Here are some pictures that we snapped on our iPhones last weekend when we visited Laurita for brunch and some exploring. You'll also find a picture of the perfect little inn that we will be staying at with our parents and bridal party the night before and the night of the wedding.