Welcome Dinner

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Farewell Brunch

Our Wedding

Our Story

Picture it: July 2020, a typical sweltering Houston summer. Amanda is a first-year ICU fellow, spending her one day off in a 80-hour work week sitting alone in the air conditioning, idly scrolling Match.com. She notices Ken's profile — short and sweet, with the memorable tagline that he was looking for someone who could keep up. In the fog of post-call exhaustion, this amuses her. She decides to take it as a dare. Ken, equally amused by Amanda's jam-packed profile, suggests they meet for lunch at The Hobbit Cafe. Under the watchful eyes of Gandalf — a cardboard cutout, but Gandalf nonetheless — the beginning of their own epic story began. With the world still largely shut down due to COVID-19, their early dates had to be creative. They talked for hours on long weekend drives outside the city, stopping for tailgate picnics along the way. They sought out hidden gems wherever they could find them — little-known historic sites in tiny towns, rural garden centers full of blooming roses — and worked endless puzzles, a pastime courtesy of Ken's particular affliction. When Ken surprised her with a weekend trip to Round Top, Amanda fell in love with the place. They fell in love with each other not long after. The next few years were a blur of work, moves, and cheerfully supporting each other's hobbies and passions. Ken kept Amanda well-fed with taco meat; she made sure Ken was never without sourdough bread. They made plans, dreamed about the future, and got engaged in May 2023. In the three and a half years since, they've chipped away at the big ones: Amanda finished her medical training, Ken launched two more businesses, and they bought a piece of land large enough to hold all their plans. They are so excited to finally be getting married in October 2026 — and to spend the rest of their lives trying to keep up with each other.

Photos

Wedding Party

Q + A

Dress Code

Transportation Within Houston

Wedding DayA shuttle will be provided for guests from the JW Marriott Hotel to the ceremony location and then to the reception venue. At the end of the evening, the shuttle will also transport guests back to the JW Marriott. Getting Around HoustonHouston is a very car-friendly city with ample parking available almost everywhere, including all wedding-related locations. Like any major city, ride-share apps (Uber, Lyft, Alto) work well in the metro area. If you are planning to explore more rural areas (like Round Top) it can be harder to find a ride. If you are planning to explore the city or surrounding areas during your trip, we recommend renting a car for the most flexibility and convenience.

Lodging

A limited number of hotel rooms have been reserved for our wedding guests under the McCarthy / Easterling wedding at the JW Marriott Houston by the Galleria. Please see below for more details. In addition to the hotel room block, we are lucky that Houston has no shortage of wonderful lodging options to suit every style and preference. We have highlighted a few other hotels we love and recommend in the event that the block fills or you prefer to book elsewhere. All of the lodging options listed here are within 15 minutes of all wedding-related festivities and within 30-45 minutes of both Houston airports. Wherever you decide to rest your head, we’re so grateful you’re coming to celebrate with us!

Located 11 minutes (4.7 miles) from the reception venue, this upscale option is where Ken and Amanda will be staying after the wedding. It is also where the wedding party will be getting ready on the big day! To book a room in the special wedding block, use the link below or click here: <a href="https://book.passkey.com/go/mccarthyeasterling?utm_source=3892&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=299932164&amp;trkid=612346786&amp;linkid=3979229470" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://book.passkey.com/go/mccarthyeasterling</a>

JW Marriott Houston by The Galleria

Located 8 minutes (3.1 miles) from the venue, this hotel has a resort-like feel and is close to multiple local attractions such as The Galleria.

Omni Houston Hotel

Located 11 minutes (5.1 miles) from the venue, this is also in a great location near The Galleria.

Amanda & Ken

Amanda & Ken

A&K

Welcome Dinner

Wedding Day

Farewell Brunch