Katie and Tom met in 2018, shortly after Katie moved to Dayton, Ohio. “When I arrived in town, I went to church that Sunday. After Mass, the parish was advertising a 20s & 30s summer BBQ. I decided to go, and that’s where I met Tom. We later discovered we worked across the street from each other, and Tom asked me to get lunch with him. Our lunches took entirely too long as we had so much in common and enjoyed getting to know each other. Work lunches became weekend lunches and weekend lunches led to our first date in January 2019.”
The couple got engaged in 2020, at the height of COVID. “No restaurants were open for dining, even outdoor dining. When Katie had the idea of a ‘make-up’ Christmas dinner, I knew this was my chance to make it work. On the day of the proposal, my mom suggested that we all dress up for dinner and pretend we had somewhere to go. Katie loved the idea. After dinner, I had her family FaceTime me for the main event. I asked everyone at the table and online one by one why they love their significant other. Once everyone had gone, I told Katie why I love her, and that’s why I want to ask her to marry me.”
Ostertag Vistas, which is owned by Katie’s grandparents, was a natural place to hold their wedding reception. “I had spent so many years watching other people get married there as a child. For us, Ostertag represents family, and no other wedding venue could compete with that.”
110 guests, including a 13-person wedding party, helped the couple celebrate their May wedding ceremony, held at St John the Evangelist Catholic Church. “My brother played the piano for the psalm, and one of my bridesmaids did the vocals. Our music consisted of timeless hymns on the organ or piano with a very talented soprano cantor.”
Katie repurposed her mother’s veil, and their cake utilized Tom’s parent’s cake topper. They had a bubble send-off into a red convertible mustang. Katie is a mechanical engineer, and Tom is a developmental engineer. They currently live in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
First Dance: I’ll Be, Edwin McCain
Honeymoon: Hawaii
Reception: Ostertag Vistas
Catering: Celebrations
Photography: Taylor Webster Photography
Coordinator: Will and Rose Events
taylor Dessert: Sage Cakery**
Flowers: Blossom and Basket Boutique**
Attire: Posh Bridal
Rings: Tess Fine Jewelry
Hair & Makeup: Priscilla M Beauty
Entertainment: DJ Paul Entertainment
Videographer: New Pace Wedding Films
Transportation: Point to Point Limousines
**FrederickWeddings.com member