How it all began:
Once upon a time, Mary-Carter's dear law school friend, Hanna, asked her to be her bridesmaid. Leo and Hanna grew up together in Miami, attending both high school and the University of Florida together. Hanna and her husband, Brian, had a destination wedding in Napa Valley, California in June of 2022. Mary-Carter and Leo met at the welcome party the night before the wedding and have never looked back. An instant connection—as made clear that night by the photos they took together and the grandmothers who asked how many years they had been dating—the lightning they caught in a bottle that night has stayed with them ever since. We can’t wait to have you join us on May 18, 2024 to celebrate this incredible couple that proved “love at first sight” is real. And the moral of the story is - don't be nervous about attending a wedding alone - you just might meet your soul mate!
HOTELS
We have secured blocks at the following hotels, all approximately a 20 minute drive to the Basilica and 15 minutes from the reception venue.
Shuttle buses will transport hotel guests to the Basilica for the wedding, then to the reception venue, and finally, back to each hotel at the end of the evening.
Bus will depart the Kimpton-Sylvan at 12:50 PROMPTLY. Guests staying at The Thompson will need to cross East Paces Ferry Road to depart from the Kimpton-Sylvan. The bus will depart from The Whitley at 1:00pm PROMPTLY. If you miss the bus please catch an Uber or Lyft to the Basilica.
Answers to questions we anticipate you might have:
Are either the wedding or the reception outdoors?
Both events are inside, so no need to worry about the weather.
Make certain to arrive at the Basilica no later than 1:45pm. Plan for traffic, even on a Saturday! Also, if you drive, don't forget to take your parking ticket inside, to get it validated inside the narthex.
What should I wear?
Attire is Black Tie for gentlemen, and long gowns are suggested for ladies. If you don't have a tuxedo, then a dark suit is perfectly fine.
I'm staying at one of the hotels recommended. What time does the bus leave?
Guests staying at the The Thompson will need to cross East Paces Ferry Road to catch the shuttle bus leaving from the The Kimpton-Sylvan Hotel, which is across the street at 374 E. Paces Ferry Road, at 12:50pm PROMPTLY. If you miss the bus, please Uber or Lyft to the Basilica.
If you are staying at The Whitley, the bus will leave at 1:00pm PROMPTLY. If you miss the bus, please catch an Uber or Lyft.
Is there a "Catholic pause" between the wedding and the reception?
Nope! The reception will begin as soon as you make your way from the Basilica to The Stave Room, which isn't far, but plan on about 20-30 minutes with traffic.
The Stave Room at American Spirit Works is in a sort of gritty, industrial area, so don't worry, you are in the right place! The interior is fabulous!
We are abundantly blessed, and your presence is truly the greatest gift to us, but we are registered at the following stores if you would like to help us begin our married life!
THE WEDDING
The Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, 353 Peachtree Street, NE, Atlanta, Georgia
Saturday, May 18, 2024, 2:00pm
The wedding will be a Nuptial Mass, beginning at exactly 2:00pm; please arrive in time to be seated prior to 1:45pm. Please take into account Atlanta traffic which can be challenging even on a Saturday afternoon.
Parking: Parking is available in the lot directly behind the Basilica. The entrance to the lot is around the corner, on Ralph McGill Blvd. While the Basilica does not own the parking lot, parking expenses are covered with a validated ticket for the Wedding; each automobile driver simply brings the parking ticket into the Basilica and validates the ticket just inside the Basilica’s front doors. We will provide security for the parking lot to ensure your safety.