The Lodge at Ballantyne

Wedding Celebration

Arrival of Guests

Ceremony

Cocktails & Pictures

Dinner

Dancing

Our Wedding

It all began with a simple online dating connection on July 3, 2005—one of those moments that didn’t seem life-changing at the time, but quietly was. That first weekend, we talked for hours, slipping easily into conversation and into being ourselves, as if we’d known each other much longer.Just a few weeks later, on July 22, Bruce flew to Northern Virginia for our first visit. I took on the role of tour guide, and together we explored Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C., turning unfamiliar places into shared memories. What followed was two and a half years of long-distance—built on visits whenever we could manage them and late-night calls that made the miles feel smaller.Eventually, the distance closed when Bruce moved from Atlanta to Reston, Virginia. We started our life under one roof in a two-bedroom apartment, and by December 2008, we had settled into a three-story townhouse in Ashburn—our first true home and the start of a new chapter. Thirteen years later, ready for something different, we made another big move, this time to Charlotte, North Carolina, in October 2021.After celebrating 20 years together in 2025, we found ourselves talking about what came next. Then, on October 25, during a trip to Nashville, Bruce surprised me with a marriage proposal just before a Grand Ole Opry concert.Now, here we are, counting down to the next chapter, excited to celebrate our wedding in Charlotte on September 26, 2026.

Bruce and Janet's Story

Our Story

Photos

Tori West-Staples

Joe Matteo

Wedding Party

What to Wear to a Semi-Formal Wedding

40 Perfect Fall Wedding Guest Dresses for September, October and November

40 Inexpensive Wedding Guest Dresses for Every Dress Code and Vibe

Dress Code

Q + A

Last day to book hotel is Friday, 9/25/2026 Note: If you plan to extend your dates either before or after the event, you will be booked in the main hotel for the same rate, otherwise, you will be staying in The Lodge where the event is being held.

Travel

Friday, 9/25/2026 @ 6:15pmOne of the biggest live music events in Ballantyne during your stay, featuring indie rock, Americana, and bluegrass artists.

Houndmouth with Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country & Molly Tuttle

Saturday, 9/26/2026 from 12pm-5pmEnjoy over 100 different international and local wines, craft beers, and craft spirits in an all-you-care-to-taste affair paired with Charlotte's best chefs and culinary pioneers.

Ballantyne Wine & Food Festival

Saturday, 9/26/2026 from 1:00-4:00pmThe Ballantyne HotelA classic English-style tea service with a Southern twist. Reservations are recommended.

Afternoon Tea

Conveniently located in Uptown Charlotte, the NASCAR Hall of Fame is an interactive entertainment attraction honoring the history and heritage of NASCAR.

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Located in what was the first United States branch mint, it opened in Charlotte’s Eastover neighborhood as North Carolina’s first art museum. Permanent collection galleries include Art of the Ancient Americas, African Art, European Art, and Native American Art. This location also houses the Mint’s library, which contains over 23,000 books, 230 magazines, and 5,500 artist files.

Janet & Bruce

Janet & Bruce

Things to Do

Houndmouth with Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country & Molly Tuttle

Ballantyne Wine & Food Festival

Afternoon Tea

NASCAR Hall of Fame

Mint Museum Randolph

SouthPark