Aliya Saulson
Travis Brown
Aliya Saulson
Travis Brown
May 18, 2024
Our Story
Travis and Aliya had their first date in February 2021 where they walked around Durham Central Park with Cocoa 'N Cinnamon coffees in hand (and happened to be spotted by Aliya's personal therapist--crazy, right?). While neither of them drink coffee on the regular, they nonetheless had a great time talking throughout Durham. He loved her wit, and she loved their banter. On this date, Aliya informed Travis that she was planning to move from Durham as soon as she could secure a new job. Travis had sadly lost his mother to liver disease only a few weeks after Aliya and him started dating and when Aliya made the flight to upstate New York on Regina's death date, Travis knew he didn't want to lose Aliya either. They continued to date throughout 2021 where Travis introduced Aliya to bubble tea, and Aliya introduced Travis to Pretzel. In September 2021, Aliya got a new job in Charlotte, meaning she would be moving 3 hours away. This was the moment they decided to continue a long distance relationship. After all, what's a 3 hour drive? For months, Travis traveled back and forth from the Triangle to CLT until he had passed his roommate internship and was offered a full-time roommate position with Pretzel adoption benefits on their 1 year dating anniversary. They shared a 1-bedroom apartment for the remainder of 2022, learning to love each other in a space that offered very little privacy. In January 2023, after almost a year of 642 sq. ft. intimacy, Aliya and Travis committed to each other and a 30-year mortgage on their beautiful new home on Belle Landing Road, which served as quite the upgrade in both square footage and financial responsibility. When Aliya decided to switch jobs in March 2023, they decided to take a weekend trip to Asheville in between. They both needed some time away, and Pretzel was craving mountain air smells to sniff. With the gorgeous mountainscape as a backdrop to their cozy cottage rental, Travis proposed to Aliya. With a resounding "Yes!" Aliya and Travis (and Pretzel) recommitted to their forever journey and solidified their roots.
RSVP
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Happenings
Friday, May 17, 2024
Rehearsal Dinner
6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
332 W Bland St, Suite C, Charlotte, NC 28203
Dressy Casual
We are so excited to celebrate with you! Please note that due to limited venue capacity, we are only able to accommodate a small number of guests at our rehearsal dinner, which is an invitation-only event. Please refer to your invitation for event specifics. Immediately following the rehearsal dinner, we invite all wedding guests to Resident Culture to celebrate with welcome drinks before the Big Day. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Travis and Aliya.
Welcome Brews Before "I Do's"
8:00 pm - 10:00 pm
332 W Bland St, Suite C, Charlotte, NC 28203
Dressy Casual
Just a 10-minute walk from our hotel block, this will be a laid-back affair to welcome all to the weekend and say "cheers" before the big day.
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Drop-In Brunch
9:30 am - 11:45 am
1617 S Tryon St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Enjoy drop-in brunch bites before heading out on your travels.
Travel
Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Charlotte - South End, an IHG Hotel
This hotel overlooks our former South End apartment and is where we will be hosting our Sunday Brunch as well. To book our hotel block rate, use this link: https://www.hiexpress.com/redirect?path=rates&brandCode=EX&localeCode=en®ionCode=1&hotelCode=cltcr&checkInDate=17&checkInMonthYear=042024&checkOutDate=19&checkOutMonthYear=042024&_PMID=99801505&GPC=SBW&cn=no&viewfullsite=true
Flight
CLT Douglas International Airport
This airport is a 15-minute drive from our hotel block and wedding venue.
Registry
Honeymoon at Unico
Amazon
Exploring CLT
South End Farmers Market
When we lived in this area, this was a Saturday morning favorite for us. It is also along the Light Rail Trail which is a fun and lively walking path. Visiting The Jugo Bar tent for a juice tasting is an absolute must.
Discovery Place Science
Puttery
A modern mini golf take--reservations required.
Pins Mechanical Co
16-Bit Bar+Arcade
Freedom Park
Gorgeous park views with walking trails surrounding a pond
Plaza Midwood
A funky neighborhood with cool shops and great eats
NoDa
A historic Charlotte neighborhood with quirky boutiques and businesses
Boba Baba
Our favorite go-to boba spot.
Optimist Hall
A fun food-hall with options for all eaters. Trav and Aliya love the Bao and Broth (ramen), Velvet Taco (tacos), and The Dumpling Lady (dumplings). Pretzel and Peach love Pet Wants.
Not Just Coffee
A coffee and small bite favorite.
Villani's Bakery
Our favorite dessert spot--we recommend the cream puffs and to pass on the macarons.
Moo & Brew
A great casual burger spot--we recommend the cheese curds
Cold Hearted Gelato
The BEST gelato, you can't go wrong with the passion fruit sorbet or fior di latte.
YAFO Kitchen
A great mediterranean fast-casual spot
FAQs
Question
Will Pretzel and Peach be in the wedding?
Answer
No. They are very cute, but they aren't legally allowed at the wedding. Write your representative.
Question
Can I bring a plus one? Are kids welcome?
Answer
We are so excited to celebrate with you! Due to limited venue capacity, we are only able to accommodate the guests specifically indicated on your invitation. Please refer to your invitation before RSVP'ing. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Travis and Aliya.
Question
Is the wedding outside or inside?
Answer
The Ruth is an indoor/outdoor space. Please note the ceremony (weather permitting) will take place outside and the reception will take place indoors.
Question
Will Aliya take Travis' last name? Will Travis take Aliya's? How do we refer to you?
Answer
Aliya has chosen to have her last name be a part of her middle name and become Aliya Hanna Saulson Brown. Travis plans to keep his last name as Brown. As a couple, Aliya and Travis ask to be referred to collectively as the Browns.
Question
Am I invited to the Rehearsal Dinner?
Answer
We are so excited to celebrate with you! Due to limited venue capacity, we are only able to accommodate a small number of guests at our rehearsal dinner. Please refer to your invitation for event specifics. Immediately following the rehearsal dinner, we invite all wedding guests to Resident Culture to celebrate with welcome drinks before the Big Day. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Travis and Aliya.
Question
When should I RSVP by?
Answer
As soon as you are able to and no later than March 18, 2024.
Question
Is there parking for the wedding?
Answer
The venue has ample parking spaces included in the front and side of the venue. All parking around the venue is free for guests to utilize for event parking and is within a five minute walk of the venue.
Question
Will there be all-gender restrooms on site?
Answer
The Ruth has ADA accessible gender specific restrooms and an all-gender family restroom on site.
Question
Land Acknowledgment
Answer
We want to acknowledge that the venue in where we are getting married sits on the stolen land and ancestral territory of the Cheraw, Manu, and Sugaree Peoples. We want to acknowledge that these Tribes have stewarded this land throughout the generations and to pay our respect to elders both past and present. Please consider action/donation to address the systemic issues facing Indigenous people by donating to an Indigenous led-organization. If you need ideas of places, see: https://give.sicangucdc.org/give/336528/donation/checkout?gclid=CjwKCAjwrdmhBhBBEiwA4Hx5gxRtOdedXiES_536ialdf3rsZqOxBB-TmjverkpHYU8AO0HYvgQIhhoCHLEQAvD_BwE#!/donation/checkout