WEDDINGS
geraci & rodriguez B y R YA N C H R I S T I A N O Photography by ANNA KAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
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tephanie Geraci and Michael Rodriguez met on match.com
and quickly realized they were soulmates. The couple invested time in understanding each other’s values and goals while navigating life as working single parents. Their blended family, consisting of Nicholas,12; Grayson,10; Gabriel, 9; Mila, 6; Isabella, 6; and Ian, 4, embraced one another, too, which further affirmed the couple’s commitment to building a beautiful life together. Michael proposed to Stephanie on June 29, 2023, after a grueling day at work reminded him how much he valued being with her. Michael purchased an $8 ring from Walmart and popped the question at Stephanie’s house before the two went out to dinner. The couple has since upgraded the ring, but Stephanie keeps the Walmart memento as a reminder of the special moment. The couple celebrated their love story with a picturesque, intimate wedding on Jan. 1, 2024, in Pittsboro. The celebratory weekend included various events and activities for 40 close friends and family members, including a game of flag football on Friday, a round of golf at the Chapel Ridge Golf Course followed by dinner at Carolina Brewery and drinks 104
C H AT H A M M AG A Z I N E
at The Beagle on Saturday. Stephanie and Michael hosted a New Year’s Eve party the day before the wedding, where they relaxed and played games with their loved ones. The wedding culminated in a fairy-tale day, with a ceremony at Forest Hall at Chatham Mills and a reception at The Sycamore. Michael says that symbolically uniting their two families with a sand ceremony was one of his favorite
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moments of the day. The wedding colors – burgundy, blush and green – complemented the romantic atmosphere, and Stephanie praised Blossom Floral Artistry for bringing the space to life with vibrant florals. Today, the couple calls Chapel Ridge their home. Stephanie is a senior director at Novo Nordisk, and Michael owns 25 Subway locations throughout North Carolina. cm