Stone Tower Winery

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Our Wedding

It all started when Nikolas slid into Mariah’s DMs on Instagram—bold move, questionable success rate. He had seen her bartending in D.C. and figured asking about bars reopening after COVID was a solid opener. It was not. Mariah essentially gave that message the digital equivalent of a polite nod and kept it moving.Undeterred (or just committed to the bit), Nikolas tried again. This time, he casually mentioned he was deployed overseas. Now that got Mariah’s attention—growing up in a military family meant she had a soft spot, and suddenly this guy in her DMs seemed a lot more interesting than just another “so what’s it like bartending?” message.Fast forward five years, and somehow that second attempt worked out. Now they’ve got a daughter, Marleigh, who runs the house, and two dogs, Freya and Loki, who strongly believe they also run the house. Nikolas and Mariah are mostly just there to pay rent and break up the occasional chaos.These days, they’re renting a place in Centreville, Virginia, trying to figure out what’s next—while also wondering how they ended up here from one ignored DM and one well-timed follow-up.Moral of the story: persistence pays off… but maybe don’t lead with small talk.Photo : Nikolas and Mariah at Stone Tower Winery on 11.11.21 where they first started officially dating

How We Met

Our Story

Photos

We’ve had our share of sister fights over the years, but now she stands by my side—not just as my big sister, but as my Matron of Honor and Marleigh's "Auntie Kale".

Kaleigh Marson

Our friendship was built on dogs, tequila, and a few things we probably shouldn’t mention...

Leana (Lee) Chavez

We didn’t grow up side by side, but with our moms as sisters, we always had a bond that picked up like no time had passed.

Caitlyn Yunker

From backyard adventures to slightly questionable decisions, she has been by my side through it all!

Kathryn (Sofi) Causey

He’s my complete opposite—artsy, adventurous, and somehow got away with everything… thanks to me, his older brother.

Matthias Wallize

From the barracks to the Middle East, from late-nights drinking to early morning rucks, Dalton’s always been a ride-or-die buddy, hopefully fully clothed!

Dalton White

Truman lived next door growing up—between basement bands, backyard campouts, and at least one questionable American flag speedo decision.

Truman Davenport

He married into the family just like I did… so we’ve got a lot to talk about.

Zachary (Zach) Marson

He’s engaged to my brother… and already bonded with my wife over the fact that dealing with us is a full-time job.

Andrew Whitworth

Our sweet little girl, adding a little sparkle (and sass) to the aisle.

Marleigh Wallize

Mariah’s Great Uncle, holds a truly special place in her heart. Having him officiate this day means the world to us.

Brian Daneau "Uncle Brian"

Wedding Party

Q + A

Located in Leesburg, 21 miles from Dulles Expo Conference Center, Holiday Inn Express &amp; Suites Leesburg - Historic District by IHG has accommodations with free WiFi and free private parking. The hotel provides an indoor pool, fitness center and a 24-hour front desk. Washington Dulles International Airport is 12 miles away.

Holiday Inn Express and Suites Leesburg Historic District by IHG

Homewood Suites by Hilton Leesburg in Leesburg features 3-star accommodations with a fitness center, a garden and a terrace. The hotel provides an indoor pool, hot tub and a 24-hour front desk. Selected rooms will provide you with a kitchen with a fridge, a dishwasher and a microwave. A business center is at guests' disposal at the hotel. Washington Dulles International Airport is 12 miles away.

Homewood Suites by Hilton Leesburg

SpringHill Suites Ashburn Dulles North in Ashburn has 3-star accommodations with free bikes and a shared lounge. Featuring free shuttle service, this property also provides guests with a sun terrace. The hotel features an indoor pool and a 24-hour front desk. All rooms come with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a fridge, a coffee machine, a shower, free toiletries and a desk. Rooms are complete with a private bathroom equipped with a hairdryer, while some accommodations at the hotel also feature a seating area. All rooms will provide guests with a microwave. Guests at SpringHill Suites Ashburn Dulles North can enjoy a continental breakfast. Air Force Memorial is 27 miles from the accommodation, while US Marine Corps War Memorial is 28 miles from the property. Washington Dulles International Airport is 7.5 miles away.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Ashburn Dulles North

Travel

Things to Do

Registry

Think semi-formal with a touch of elegance. Flowy dresses, dressy tops, button-downs, and slacks are all perfect. Keep in mind the outdoor setting and opt for comfortable shoes.

Mariah & Nikolas

Mariah & Nikolas

Wedding Party