STEAM Restaurant & Bar - Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

Rehearsal Lunch

STEAM Restaurant & Bar

Welcome Meet & Greet

Henrietta Riverboat Cruise

Sunset Riverboat Cruise

Brooklyn Arts Center

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Explore Downtown Wilmington

Our Wedding

Before our love story began, we experienced many great memories together as the best of friends (it's fine, no one believes us!). From the moment we met in HS Spanish class, our lives have continued to evolve alongside each other. 1 Kappa Beautillion, 2 high school graduations, 3 cities and 4 years later, we navigated the rollercoaster of a long-distance relationship during college. The end of our college roads led us back together just before finding out that Ashley would be moving us to New Jersey for a new job. Since the summer of 2022, we have developed a community of friends turned family in the northeast, and look forward to seeing where our new chapter as Mr. &amp; Mrs. takes us!

The Classic "Just Friends" to Lovers Story

Our Story

Photos

Dynasty Rankin

Amber Lam

Carrington Boyd

Kendra Beauford

Franklin Reyes

Hunter Sluder

Justin Shamp

Winston Garrison

Milan Rankin

Haven Brawley

Wedding Party

Will the ceremony be indoors or outdoors?

Our ceremony and reception will be inside of the Brooklyn Arts Center church building. Cocktail Hour will be hosted in the courtyard outside.

What should I wear to the wedding?

We kindly request that you come ready to party and dressed in your favorite summer cocktail attire - see our wedding attire moodboard for inspiration! The ceremony is later in the evening, but as it’ll likely still be warm, we recommend breathable fabrics and comfortable footwear. We want you to enjoy the day and feel your best while celebrating with us!

Will there be transportation to and from the wedding venue?

There will only be transportation to and from the wedding venue from the Embassy Suites by Hilton - Wilmington Riverfront and the Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center hotels. Trolley Transportation Schedule Details: To the Ceremony: Pickup begins at the Embassy Suites and Aloft at 4:30 PM for transportation to the Brooklyn Arts Center until 5:30 PM.During the Reception: Trolley service back to the hotels will begin at 9:30 PM and continue through 10:30 PM.After Reception Transportation: Following the sparkler exit, a trolley will depart the Brooklyn Arts Center at 11:00 PM for the late night hang location at Dram &amp; Draught in Downtown Wilmington.Final Return to Hotels: The last trolley from Dram &amp; Draught back to the hotels will depart at 12:30 AM. Guests planning to use the trolley are encouraged to arrive a few minutes early for each departure.

Is there parking at the venue?

Yes! There is plenty of free street parking around the venue, and there is a parking lot one block east of the BAC on Campbell Street should you choose to drive yourself to the venue. We advise anyone driving themselves to the wedding venue to drink responsibly during the wedding reception.

Are we allowed to bring our children to the wedding?

While we love our little friends, we have decided to accommodate children of immediate family at our wedding only. We appreciate your understanding and hope that you are still able to join us!

Am I allowed to bring a plus one?

Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate plus-ones beyond those named on the wedding invitation. If you received a plus one, it will be noted when you enter your name to RSVP.

Where should we stay?

On the 'Travel' tab, you will find a variety of hotels to book your stay. Each hotel recommended is less than 5 minutes driving from our wedding venue. Please note that transportation will be provided only for our wedding guests who choose to stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton - Wilmington Riverfront or Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center hotels.

Where should I RSVP and when is the deadline?

To RSVP, please visit the 'RSVP' tab on our website. The RSVP deadline is Friday, April 10.

What happens if it rains? Is the sunset cruise still on?

Yes! The riverboat cruise is rain or shine and will take place regardless of the weather. The boat features a covered upper deck and fully enclosed lower deck, allowing everyone to enjoy the views while staying protected from the elements. If rain is in the forecast, we encourage guests to dress accordingly and bring any weather-appropriate items they may want, such as a light rain jacket. We look forward to celebrating with you!

I previously submitted an RSVP and had plans change. What should I do?

We completely understand that plans can change! If your original plans shift before our RSVP deadline of April 10, please update your RSVP on our wedding website using the 'RSVP' tab. After April 10, we won’t be able to accommodate any new RSVPs, as our final guest count will have been submitted to our vendors. If you are no longer able to make our wedding due to a change in plans after April 10, please contact us as soon as you’re able via email at dandameans427@gmail.com.

Q + A

Airport Arrival

Guests who are flying to our wedding destination should book flights to Wilmington International Airport (ILM). Upon your arrival, transportation from the airport to one of our recommended hotels should take less than 20 minutes!

Wilmington International Airport (ILM)

Recommended Hotels

Listed below are hotels that we recommend for our guests to book their stay. Each hotel listed is less than 10 minutes away from our wedding venue in Downtown Wilmington. The Embassy Suites by Hilton, Arrive &amp; Aloft by Marriott hotels listed below are close to all scheduled activities for the weekend (Meet &amp; Greet, Sunset Cruise, Wedding &amp; Late Night Hang), and a walkable distance (less than 15 mins) to Downtown Wilmington. Transportation by trolley will be provided to and from the wedding venue for our guests who book their stay at the Embassy Suites by Hilton - Wilmington Riverfront and Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center hotels.

Our courtesy block for the Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront hotel is full. If you’d still like to book regular price at this hotel, feel free to book directly with the link provided below or call 1-910-765-1131, and press 1 for reservations.

Embassy Suites by Hilton Wilmington Riverfront

We have a courtesy block secured for the Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center hotel. Feel free to book directly with the link provided below.

Aloft Wilmington at Coastline Center

Arrive Hotel - Wilmington

Travel

Get your morning going with a specialty coffee from Hidden Grounds! As regular coffee drinkers, we recommend the Chai &amp; Vanilla Lattes. The line is typically long mid-morning, but it is definitely worth the wait!

Hidden Grounds Coffee

Located a few miles from Wilmington, Wrightsville Beach is a great place to explore the sun and sand during our wedding weekend! Other nearby beaches to visit include Carolina Beach &amp; Kure Beach. If you'd rather look at the beach than be on it, the Oceanic restaurant nearby has a beautiful view of Wrightsville Beach from their outdoor pier seating!

Wrightsville Beach

Commodore is a great all-around hangout spot - and right down the street from our wedding venue! They have rotating beers on draft, great food, and a fun local vibe. It's a perfect spot to have lunch Friday or keep the night going on Saturday!

Commodore Public House & Kitchen

The Vine is on the outskirts of Downtown Wilmington and perfect as a date night destination! The BEST Old Fashioned in Wilmington (according to Darius), with tons of handheld bites to pair with it. Definitely worth stopping into for a delicious craft cocktail!

The Vine

If you've never been to Downtown Wilmington, it is a MUST on your list of places to explore. There are a variety of coffee shops, restaurants and local shops to visit at some point during your stay.

Downtown Wilmington 

This family-friendly fun park has everything you could possibly want to experience with friends and family: mini golf, laser tag, an arcade and even a water park! Place your bets on who will beat the basketball shot high score (in true Darius fashion) and go for it!

Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park

A local favorite for coffee and a breakfast snack!! With Fair Trade and organic blend options, it is definitely worth a try. Grab a cup before exploring Downtown or heading to the beach!

Port City Java

Stretching along the Cape Fear River, the Riverwalk is one of Downtown Wilmington’s most scenic spots. Take a stroll, enjoy the views, and pop into nearby shops, restaurants, and bars along the way!

Wilmington Riverwalk

As seen on Diners, Drive-Ins &amp; Dives, The Copper Penny has something for everyone! With tons of locally sourced beers and some of our favorite foods - onion rings &amp; wings (his and hers, if you will), you won't be disappointed!

The Copper Penny

With over 67 acres of outdoor beauty to explore, Airlie Gardens is a great place for those who enjoy to be one with nature (like Ash!). This garden has many points of interest, including Bradley Creek Pier, a butterfly house and the historic Airlie Oak tree.

Airlie Gardens

For those coming in on Friday, be sure to grab a drink and play cornhole at the Arrive hotel's outdoor Gazebo Bar! The bar serves handcrafted cocktails and snacks in the courtyard gardens. Cheers!

Gazebo Bar at Arrive Hotel 

The Battleship North Carolina is a must-see destination for those who love military history. There are a variety of interactive experiences and war memorabilia to explore at this exhibit. This battleship was important for us to visit as children of military veterans!!

Battleship North Carolina

Stop by On Thyme for yummy seafood and other southern comfort foods! There will be a line, but it is worth the wait! We recommend the fried shrimp basket with hushpuppies, fries and slaw - DELISH.

On Thyme Restaurant

.... Need we say more? This is for our friends in the Northeast: Grab a biscuit and head to the beach - it's ALWAYS Bo Time!

Bojangles

If espresso martinis are your vibe (clearly they are not Darius's), Concorde is a must-visit! They have several espresso inspired drinks for you to try! If you visit in the evening and are trying to keep your Oura Sleep Score up like Ash, there are yummy decaf options too (Decaf Caramel Macchiato!!!!!)!

Concorde Espresso Bar

A tucked-away speakeasy with a vintage feel, The Blind Elephant is perfect for a pre-dinner cocktail or as the last late-night spot. Expect craft cocktails, live music (most weekend nights), and a relaxed but elevated vibe.

The Blind Elephant

Need more activity inspiration? We've got you covered - Check out this list of options that Arrive Hotel recommends! Many of our suggestions are double listed! :)

Ashley & Darius

Ashley & Darius

Photos