Raleigh, North Carolina

Chip Kennedy
Tara Tran

03.23.2024

We're really excited to see you, and hope you can join us for our special day!

When

Saturday, March 23, 2024 | Early Evening

Full Schedule Below

Where

Raleigh Union Station
510 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Get directions

Dress code

Semi-Formal

Expect warm spring weather and maybe rain
Come ready to dance

RSVP

Please let us know if you'll be able to make it no later than February 15, 2024.

A Brief History
of our Love

august 2012
šŸØ Thanks to an intro from Bridesmaid Megan, Groomsman Josh brings Tara and Chippy to get milkshakes during college orientation.

Chippy is smitten, but Tara is taken. He waits to ask her on a date.
ā€
may 2016
šŸŽ“ Four years later at graduation: Chippy still hadn't found the courage to ask for that date, but Tara and Chippy are friends.

Tara heads off to teach in North Carolina (living with Maid of Honor Trinity),

Chippy heads off to be an entrepreneur in New York (taken in by Groomsmen Saad and Karan).
july 2018
✨ Tara tours NYU for grad school, Chippy shows her his life in the city.

They meetup for the first time since college (with some help from Groomsman/Bridesmaid Dean and Lauren).

He finally asks her out on a date, and she says 'Yes'!
August 2018
šŸ“ššŸŖ‚ Their first date is to Strand, the bookstore. (Tara debriefed with Bridesmaid Tasha right after over drinks). Their second date: skydiving. A relationship of intellectual debates and adventure begins.
February 2019
🐱 Tara and Chippy live their best NYC lives.

- Tara gets her dream job (alongside Bridesmaids Gina and Kariann) and starts grad school.
- They adopt Cyclops the cat!
- The Patriots win their 6th superbowl
February 2020
šŸ  Tara moves in with Chippy and Officiant/Best Man Harry. The three happily share 400 sq ft (and Chippy has to buy furniture for the first time)
December 2021
šŸ”‘ After 18 months of living with and supporting family in the pandemic, Tara and Chippy move to their new home:Ā Raleigh! They spend their engagement building a life in a new city!
March 2024
šŸš‚ Tara and Chippy get married in Raleigh surrounded by friends and family (that's you!)

come through!

the tran-kennedy team of champions

Maiden of honor

Trinity Tran

aka
Cyclops's Godmother
Primary Suspect of When Clothes Go Missing in Tara's Closet
Tara's Built-In Best Friend Since (my) Birth
Chippy's Future Sister-In-Law
Tara and Chippy's Emergency Dog Sitter for When We Foster Without Clear Plans

My favorite memory with Chippy & Tara is…
I took their cat and then they just went out and got a new cat
ā€
My favorite memory with Tara is…
When Tara coached me for softball and everyone thought she was my mom. When asked, "which one's yours?" she would just point to me and didn't specify she was my sister which further solidified everyone's thoughts. Putting up with my obnoxious quacking noises, improving my line drives, and post game munchies really brought us closer together, on and off the field!

Officiant + best man

Harry Bacon

aka
Chippy AND Tara's NYC Roommate
Runner-Up to Tara Tran in the Race for the Ring
Chippy's HLF (Homie, Lover, Friend)
Tara's Documentary Buddy
ā€
My Outrageous Wedding Predictions is...
That the ceremony’s officiant is going to speak in perfect Vietnamese... and he’s never even had one lesson… also, he’s me.
ā€
The moment I knew Chippy and Tara were meant for each other was…
before I ever even met Tara. Chippy and I were living together in NYC. I picked up the mail one day to find that a vinyl record had arrived from a girl named Tara. Up until that moment, all I knew of Tara was that she had graduated from Case Western with Chippy. She had reached out to ask him for some friendly advice about moving to NYC to study computer programming. Tara lived in North Carolina at the time. Chippy hadn’t seen or spoken with Tara in years, but he was the perfect guy in their alumni network to answer Tara’s questions. Chippy and I didn’t own a record player at the time, so I found the record to be an odd ā€œthank youā€ gift for whatever friendly advice he must’ve given her. When I asked Chippy about it, he explained that they had actually been exchanging these elaborate, vulnerable, funny letters in the mail for the past few weeks. Their correspondence had recently graduated from letters to gifts. He had sent her a funny book about modern dating. She had sent him a charming record by one of her favorite bands. From the glow in his smile, I knew that this connection from afar was flourishing from something friendly into something romantic… and possibly life-changing. Plus, Chippy loves mail. That’s the moment I knew.

Matron of Honor

Alyse Kennedy

aka
Chippy's Amoral Compass Tara's Role Model
The Womb Receptacle for Aunty TT's Most Performative Godchild
Tara's Ghostwriter for Hard Conversations, Apology Letters and Uncomfortable Texts
Tara's Jet-Setting Muse, Passport Enthusiast and AWAY Suitcase Ambassador

My favorite memory with Tara is…
The first time I met Tara in person was when her and Chippy came to Toronto for a visit and at the time I was working overseas. We all went to visit the Distillery District and after I wanted to get ice cream and so I said to my step daughter "lets go get ice cream" and she responded by saying she didn't really want any which was weird and so I pushed and Tara jumped in and said "let's just go and not get ice cream". I was so taken aback by this coup led by this new person that I sat sullenly in front for the rest of the car ride. When I got home it became clear that Tara had supported my step daughter to organise a welcome home party for me and it was beautiful and thoughtful and fun and kind and all the things that I soon came to associate with Tara and everything she is and does!

The moment I knew Chippy and Tara were meant for each other was…
When Tara start collective photographic evidence of all the times that my mother takes food out of the kitchen thus violating her own adamant cardinal rule

Best Man

Zack Kennedy

aka
Chippy's Brother
Tara's Stand-In for the FDA, CDC, and Other Authoritative Bodies
Tran Family's Favorite White Family Member Due To His Eager Vietnamese Palette and Best Vietnamese Learning Skills

My favorite fun fact about Chippy is...
Chippy used to play bongos on the street for money
ā€ā€
Chippy & Tara are a perfect couple because….
They are both kind, caring, motivated individuals who strive to do right by others

bridesmaid

Christine Bray

akaā€
Chippy’s Cousin
Tara’s Go-To To Finish a Drink
Tara's Pet Adoption Advisor
Tara's Go To Person to Say Yes To Anything and Everything

My favorite memory with Chippy is…

Sleeping over at Kennedy Brothers after a night out and having to get up at 4am before it opened

My favorite memory with Chippy & Tara is…

Running around Santa Barbara together and singing at the piano bar

Best man

Dean Kennedy

aka
Chip is My Financial Advisor / Cylops Lover
Tara's SAT Word Tutor
Tara's Little Sister's (Trinity's) Math Tutor

My favorite memory with Chippy is…
Singing I farted on Santa’s Lap every Xmas with you and making you cry for saying ā€œchipppoi would you like to buy another featherā€ over and over and over again when you were 5 years old
ā€
My first impression of Tara was…
Damn her and chip must really like oysters and smash burgers

Moment I knew they were perfect for each other...
they both love playing roller coaster tycoon

bridesmaid

Gina Fuchs

aka
Tara's Former Work-Wife
Tara & Chip's Interior Designer
Tara's BBQ Dealer
Tara's Emergency Fashion Emergency First Responder

My first impression of Tara was…
The first time I met Tara, I thought – and I'm sure I'm not alone in this – 'Is she for real with this kindness?' Tara is so incredibly nice that part of me was convinced it was NOT REAL. But as I spent more time with her at work, it hit me – yep, she's genuinely the nicest person on this earth, it is ridiculous. Tara makes me want to be a better, more kind person, every day.

My Outrageous Wedding Predictions is...
Tara brings gifts for every single wedding guestā€

Groomsman

Ben Davis

aka
Chippy's College Roomate
Chippy's Slightly Faster Former XC Teammate
Nick Miller to Chippy's Schmitt

My Outrageous Wedding Predictions is...
Chippy will be late to his own wedding. I'm not sure this is even outrageous - Chip hasn't been on time to a single thing in his life
ā€
My first impression of Chip was…
At XC camp freshman year, Chippy made smores by dropping a marshmellow on a graham cracker and putting that whole situation on a plank next to the fire. I remember thinking how inventive that was (maybe I just haven't seen enough people make smores) and I thought that guy was going places

bridesmaid

Kariann Kloss

aka
Tara's Primary Meme Dealer
Tara's Work Wife (sorry Ry)
Tran Fam Wanna-be Adopted Daughter
Tara's Emergency Motivational Speaker for Tough Days
Tara's Tamago Twin
Tara's Tea Supplier
Tara's Companion Lover of World Market
Tara's Fellow Feline Fanatic
Tara's Partner in Literary Escapades
Tara's 3 AM Emergency Helpline

Chippy & Tara are a perfect couple because….
they are instantly ready to lend a helping hand to anyone and everyone. Small or large task, their hearts know no bounds. Like that time you both came to my rescue when I accidentally broke my company’s website because I didn't know what DNS is... and still don't.

My first impression of Tara was…
She types really loudly on her keyboard when she is stressed

Groomsman

Josh Perry

aka
Tara's College Best Friend / Pseudo-Roommate
Tara's Model UN Partner
Tara's COC Presidential Campaign Manager
Person who introduced Tara and Chippy
Person Tied For Who Tara Phone Calls the Most (Tie with MamaTran and PapaTran)
Tara's 90-Day-Fiance Watcher Partner-In-Crime
Tara's Fitness Motivator and Junk Food Enabler

My favorite fun fact about Tara is...
ā€
That her name "Phuongnhi" means "Little Phoenix" in Vietnamese. Ā I feel like Tara truly embodies that because although small in stature, she is dazzling with unmatched dynamic energy. She excels in any and everything that she sets her mind to, and I'm very proud and blessed to know her.
ā€
My favorite memory with Chippy & Tara is…
Going to the Jonas Brothers concert with then in September 2023. This reunion with then was long overdue and postponed due to circumstances like moving and the Covid 19 pandemic. I was so happy to see some of my oldest and dearest friends and catch up with what had been going on in our lives, and to see the community they had built for themselves in Raleigh, Ā NC.

Bridesmaid

Lauren Basil

aka
Tara's Confidante To Talk Shit;
Tara's Soon To Be Sister In Law;
Tara's Online Bad Shopping Habits Enabler
Tara's Football Game Day Captain;
ā€
My favorite memory with Chippy & Tara is…
Their first unofficial first date! I was lucky enough to be a part of the first time Tara came to visit Chippy in NYC. We went to governor's island, my friends had MANY questions about the status of their relationship and they both were cool as cucumbers under the heat! We ended the night in my apartment where Chippy took Tara on a second date in my kitchen to make smash burgers! I'll never forget that night! Oh.. and Dean dancing to In My Feelings all night long!

Chippy & Tara are a perfect couple because….
They balance each other like no couple I've ever been around. They are always a united front, view each other as partners in everything they do, Ā and consider each other's feelings no matter the situation. They love to have fun together, give back to others every chance they get, and they both want to leave every situation better than they found it. I couldn't imagine Chippy without Tara or Tara without Chippy, they truly are the perfect match!

bridesmaid

Megan Greeley

aka
Chippy's First Friend
Tara's Chief Hype Lady
Tara's Wedding Bride-To-Be Buddy in Solidarity
Chippy's Fellow Christmas Enthusiast

The moment I knew Chippy and Tara were meant for each other was…

ā€
Seeing their dynamic during Christmas in the City, where Tara fit in completely naturally from the start.
ā€
My Outrageous Wedding Predictions is...
Chippy's suit or shirt will rip on the dancefloors

bridesmaid

Radhika Patel

aka
Tara's Partner in Adventure,
Tara and Chippy's biggest fangirl,
Tara's Not So Secret Admirer
Tara's First Call If She Ever Lands In Jail
Tara's Personal Opinion Poll Administrator and Analyzer
Tara's 24/7 On-Call Therapist and Comedic Relief Specialist

My favorite fun fact about Tara is...
Her middle name means phoenix in Vietnamese and it is the most perfect creature to describe her. She is beautiful, graceful, and so powerful.
ā€
My favorite memory with Chippy & Tara is…
My favorite memories with Chippy and Tara have to be at the CITC holiday carnivals where their true power couple magic fills the air.

Groomsman

Ryerson Maybee

aka
Chippy's Brother in Law
Chippy's Giver of Questionable Advice
Chippy's Maple Syrup Dealer
Tara's Go To TV Show/Movie Recommender
Tara & Chip's Personal Trivia, Useless, and Useful Facts Encyclopedia

My favorite thing about Chippy & Tara is…
Their incredible kindness and generosity.
ā€
My favorite memory with Chippy & Tara is…
their visit when our second kid was born.

Anything else to say?
Go ahead and see if you can find two better humans, I'll wait.

bridesmaid

Ry DiFalco

aka
Tara's Angel & Devil On Her Shoulder
Tara's Workhusband Tara's Concert Companion
Tara's Voice of "Reason"
Chip's Late Night Snack Buddy
Tara's Personal Gen-Z Translator
Tara's Personal Paparazzi for Photo Shoots
Tara's Official Consultant on Creating the Perfect Playlist

My favorite memory with Chippy is…
Eating Buffalo Chicken wraps on the steps of the Moxy hotel in the Lower East Side at one in the morning
ā€ā€
I remember when...
I first met Tara and was blown away by what an amazingly genuine person she was - she shepherded me into my role at Kode With Klossy, and I am SURE that she is the reason that my time there has been so successful. Meeting her was like meeting human sunshine, and becoming her friend has been a DREAM.

Groomsman

Saad Khan

aka
Chippy’s friend at the clubs, short-term roommate and lifelong friendTara's Favorite Person to Eat Mexican Food With

My favorite thing about Chippy & Tara is….
that they’re both wholly kind and generous people. I’ve been lucky enough to share many heartfelt moments with them and receive their kindness in abundance. Their big hearts make our lives a bit warmer and more joyful. šŸ„°šŸ’›

My Outrageous Wedding Predictions is...
The couple departs in a hot air balloon!
ā€

bridesmaid

Sam Kennedy

aka
Chippy’s Sister-in-Law
Tara's "Hey, Am I Crazy For..." Go to Person to Text
Tara's "No, You're Not Crazy Tara And Here's Why..." Text Responder
Tara's Emergency Emotional Support Animal (Human Version)

My first impression of Tara was…
ā€
she was and remains one of the most warm and welcoming people I know!
ā€
I bet you didn't know that...
Chippy co-authored an R rated flip book for me the first time I met him, and that flip book still lives in my attic!

Groomsman

Tony Spalding

aka
Chippy’s Former CWRU XC Co-Captain;
Chippy’s Former Roommate;
Chippy and Tara’s Uber Driver when no actual Uber will pick them up
Tara's Biggest Strava Fan

My favorite memory with Chippy is…
So many to choose from, but one weekend in Ā January 2020, right before the world came to a halt and we still had no idea what was coming, Chippy and Ben came to visit for the weekend at my new apartment in Cleveland. We didn’t know it at the time, but it was the last time in over in a year that we’d see each other in person. We had such a fun weekend going to a beerfest, a hockey game, and I took Ben and Chip on their longest run (8 miles) in months. That was also the first weekend that Chippy met my now wife. It was super important to me that he was able to meet her and give me the nod of approval. This particular weekend also stands out in my mind as a testament to our dedication to maintaining our friendship after college. And it’s gotten even better as our wives and partners are now included in our reunion trips as well! I’m just so happy that we all stay in touch and everyone gets along so well, and this particular memory acts as a symbol of that for me.
ā€
The moment I knew Chippy and Tara were meant for each other was…
When Chip told me the story of how they first started hanging out. I only personally knew ONE other person who would choose to move to New York without much of a plan, and it’s Chippy. So when he told me that Tara Tran, that girl I vaguely remembered from CWRU, had done almost the exact same thing, I knew they would be a perfect fit for one another! And then when I found out they decided to move in together, and that meant Tara would also be living with Harry, I knew this woman had to seriously love him to put up with that. I’m so glad I was right!

bridesmaid

Sara Miller

aka
Tara’s Homegoods Shopping Influencer
Tara’s Cat’s Bestie
Tara’s College Friend & Dorm-mate!
Tran Family's Go To Person For I-Need-Medical-Advice Support
Tara & Chip's #1 Dodgeball Fan
Tara & Chip's Source of The Most Thank You Cards

Chippy & Tara are a perfect couple because….
They compliment each other perfectly and are crazy in their own ways. Chippy is a dreamer, wants to be the DIY mastermind. Tara is a presenter, marketing, coding extraordinaire- together they have built an EMPIRE of friends and hobbies.
ā€
My favorite memory with Tara is…
ā€
One of my first nights out at Case, I needed something to wear. Tara, even being a quarter of my size, found me a dress in her closet, dressed me up, and did my makeup standing on a step stool. A couple years later, she took me to dinner and drove around in my car with me blasting music after a terrible breakup. She’s ALWAYS been a confidant and rock for me!

bridesmaid

Tasha Jhangiani

aka
Tara's Co-MUN Buddy
Tara's Close College Friend
Tara's Fellow Sagittarius
Tara's Former Resident
Tara's "Hey I Don't Think We Planned It But We Might Be In The Same City, Wanna Meet-Up?"

My favorite memory with Tara is…
ā€
There's definitely too many to list here..but from late-night gossip sessions in her room when she was my RA to the day I Facetimed her to tell her I got engaged, Tara has been one of my best friends and biggest cheerleaders.
ā€
My first impression of Tara was…
I don't know how I feel about college yet, but at least my RA is really nice... :)

Anything else to say?
I have the texts from when Tara told me Chippy is the one :)

your itinerary

Friday,
March 22nd

5:00 — 7:30 PM

Rehearsal Dinner
ā€
Casual dress
Invite Only

8:30 – 10:30 PM

Welcome Drinks @ Flying Saucer
328 W Morgan St, Raleigh, NC 27601
ā€
Casual dress
If you're going to be in town early, come meet us for a drink!
Optional and for everyone!
ā€

Saturday,
March 23rd

9:00 AM

Vietnamese Tea Ceremony

Traditional Vietnamese or semi-formal dress
Invite Only

4:30 PM

Wedding Ceremony @Ā Raleigh Union Station
510 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Guests should arrive around 4pm
Semi-Formal dress
Expect warm spring weather and maybe rain

5:15 PM

Cocktails &Ā Small Bites @ Commerce Place

3 min walk from venue, transportation available

6:45 PM

Reception and Dinner @ Raleigh Union Station

Dinner, drinks, dancing, late night snack, and good times for all!
(Drinks on us šŸ™‚)

11:00 PM

After Party
Location TBD

Optional and for everyone!

Sunday,
March 24th

11:00 AM

Family Dim Sum Brunch

Casual dress
Optional, for all family

Accommodations

Lodging

We do not have a formal hotel block and instead recommend guests book accommodations in or close to downtown Raleigh. Almost all wedding events are within walking distance or a short Uber from downtown. There are lots of great AirBnBs/VRBOs downtown and here are some hotel recommendations:

Transportation

If you are staying in downtown Raleigh, all wedding events are within walking distance or a short Uber from downtown. We encourage guests to walk/Uber to wedding events, as parking will be limited. The RDUĀ airport is a ~30min drive/Uber/taxi from downtown Raleigh.

Activities

If you're looking for things to do before/after the wedding, we highly encourage you to explore our home city! Here's a few of our favorite spots downtown (and close by):

  • 🚲 Pedicab History Tour - awesome tour and fun way to get out!
  • šŸ› Marbles Kids Museum - highly recommended by Flowergirl Amelia!
  • šŸ›ļø City Market and Moore Square Park - free lawn games on Fridays
  • 🚲 TrolleyPub - Group Beer Bike Tours (be sure to book ahead)
  • šŸŽØ NCĀ Museum of Art - Check out the outdoor sculptures!
  • šŸ‘£ Downtown RaleighĀ Walking Tours - City of Oaks Guided Tour or Free Self-Guided Murals Tour
  • šŸ”‘ Tower Escapes Escape Room
  • šŸ” Transfer Co. Food Hall - food hall with lots of local favorites
  • šŸ· The Raleigh Wine Shop - our pick for local wines
  • šŸŗ State of Beer - our pick for local beers
  • 🄃 Whiskey Kitchen - our favorite nicer spot for a meal +Ā drinks
  • šŸ„— Raleigh Times - our favorite affordable spot for a meal +Ā drinks
  • ā˜•ļø Morning Times - our go-to spot for coffee

FAQ

You have questions, we have the answers!

Can I bring my Kids?

Absolutely. We adore little ones and believe they’ll make our wedding even more special and joyful. We want your whole family to celebrate with us, and we're excited to have your kids create happy memories at our wedding.
To make their experience even more wonderful, we've got you covered:
- Kid-friendly activities: We'll have some coloring books and surprises throughout the wedding to keep little ones entertained.
- High chairs and booster seats: Please let us know if we can rent this one for you to make mealtime fun and enjoyable.

If there's anything else we can do to make your family feel welcome and comfortable, please don't hesitate to ask! We're thrilled to celebrate with you and your whole crew.

what weather can i expect?

We can't predict the exact forecast, but can tell you that March in Raleigh is 'warmish spring'. Our best guess is 50s - 60's: warm in the afternoon and slightly cooler in the evening.

In the case of rain, all venues are inside or covered by a tent. You will briefly walk outside, and we will have umbrellas and covered transportation as needed.

Can I take pictures during the ceremony?

We respectfully request that guests do not take photographs during the ceremony - professionals will be on site to cover the whole thing. Instead of taking pictures, we invite you to relax and enjoy the moment! We will have plenty of photos and videos to share after the big day.

where do i park?

If you are staying in downtown Raleigh, all wedding events are within walking distance or a short Uber from downtown. We encourage guests to walk/Uber to wedding events, as parking will be limited. We have more information on parking above.

What can i do in Raleigh besides your wedding?

So much! We love our city and hope you'll enjoy your time here. We have a few recommendations on what do do above.

What colors are the bridesmaids wearing?

Our bridesmaids will be dressed in a combination of gold, champagne, and taupe.

When do I need to RSVP by?

All RSVPs are due by February 15th 2024

RSVPĀ Here

Is there a dress code?

We want to see everyone looking their best, but promise to not be too formal about it. Our wedding and reception dress is: semi-formal (some advice here if you need it).

What should I do if i can't make it?

We'll definitely miss you! If you can no longer make it to our wedding, please let us know by updating your RSVP on our RSVPĀ link: https://withjoy.com/tran-kennedy/rsvp

where do i stay in raleigh?

We do not have a formal hotel block and instead recommend guests book accommodations in or close to downtown Raleigh. Almost all wedding events are within walking distance or a short Uber from downtown. There are lots of great AirBnBs/VRBOs and we have hotel recommendations listed above.

Will the ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception take place indoors or outdoors?

Our ceremony and reception are both completely indoors. Our cocktail hour is outside, underneath a tent in case of rain.

You can expect to walk outside to get to the venue and briefly to get to and from cocktail hour.

what's for dinner? do i chose an entreƩ?

Dinner will be family style - no need to choose an entree ahead of time! We have lots of options for folks at cocktail hour, dinner, and a late night snack. Let us know of any allergies / dietary restrictions in your RSVP and we'll make sure we have you covered.

What time should I arrive saturday?

Please arrive to the ceremony Saturday at 4pm. The ceremony will start at 4:30pm sharp.

Do you have a wedding registry?

Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift of all. For those who wish to celebrate with a gift, we kindly request a contribution towards our future adventures together.

If you choose, you can contribute to our cash registry above.

What's the best way to contact you if I have additional questions?

Don't hesitate to reach out to Chip and/or Tara via text! We're always happy to chat and answer any questions you might have about Raleigh, our wedding, or your trip!Ā