#LifeAsAHighway
5.7.22
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Brian & Debbie Highway will be hosting a reception for us at The Elberta Life Saving Station on June 4th, 2022 to celebrate our marriage with our family & friends who cannot attend our wedding in Jamaica.
Photos of Sandals Ochi
Our Story
We met on June 29, 2013 - a summer that will go down in our history as the best thing that ever happened to us. Sarah was 26 and well on her way to creating what is now a photography empire and had several weddings scheduled that summer. Don was 24 and just moved back to Michigan 6 weeks prior from Florida where he lived for the previous 5 years. Sarah worked full time at The Record-Eagle in marketing and hired a coworker's son, Ethan, to be her photography apprentice who quickly became one of her best friends. They were on their way back from their first wedding they had ever shot together when Ethan's phone rang. It was Nate on the other end encouraging him to come downtown - it was the first night that the Cherry Festival beer tent was open and a bunch of hooligans were living it up! Sarah (who had very few close friends in Traverse City at that time) encouraged Ethan that he should go meet his friends at the beer tent and bring her, too!
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Sarah says to Ethan:
"Wait...your friends aren't annoying and loud though, right?"
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Ethan:
" No not at all! You're going to love them!"
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It was at that moment that Don, who had not seen Ethan in over a year, came SHOOTING out of the beer tent yelling obscenities and picked Ethan up by the knees so he could twirl him around and tell him how much he missed him.
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That night, we went bar hopping and played pool at Brady's. Don taught Sarah how to do The Wobble, we had run of the jukebox all night, Ethan told stories around a pitcher of pbr, and a great time was had by all. Sarah got to meet new friends, Nate, Kirsi, Don & Jeff, who Don grew up with and who would all eventually become a permanent part of her new life.
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Fast forward a few weeks, and we had our first date. Sarah came over to Don's home on Green Lake for pizza and a bonfire. We stayed up late talking all night and confiding in each other. The next day, we took Don's Wrangler with the top off to Stormer and went for a hike. The nights of doing things together kept building on, and soon Don was introducing Sarah to all of his friends. We took a backpacking trip to Grand Island in August 2013, and in September Don invited Sarah to come to Canada with his family for a vacation. We don't have an official anniversary but rather a Canaversary where we travel back to Agawa Bay and enjoy slowing down together and return to the place where we fell in love.
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As the years go by, we continue conquering life side by side. We've been all over the world together. From road trips out West to ski in the mountains, to the beaches of Jamaica, the Florida Keys, and The Dominican Republic, our travels have taken us to places we've only ever dreamed of. In 2020, we decided our travel plans would remain in Michigan to keep everyone safe, which set Don up for the perfect Upper Peninsula proposal while we were hiking the Estivant Pines with friends in Copper Harbor on October 17, 2020. We've created the life of our dreams and have the joy of working together full time on our photography business which we do all from over the world. We bought a camper to travel around our beautiful country and we look forward to everything our future holds. That includes making memories and living it up in Jamaica for our wedding with our friends and family!
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I get the travel insurance?
YES. We strongly encourage everyone who plans to attend our wedding in Jamaica to purchase the travel insurance. We are optimistic about safely traveling and celebrating together on May 7, 2022, but with everything going on right now it's better to be safe than sorry. You must pay for your travel insurance at the time of booking. That way if we have to cancel or move our wedding date due to the pandemic you won't have any issues.
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Do I need a passport?
Yep! You'll need to renew your passport if it is set to expire before November 7, 2022, even though our wedding is 5/7/22.
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Which airport do we fly to in Jamaica?
Montego Bay (MBJ)
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Who books our flights and ground transportation to the resort?
You will need to book your own flights (highly recommended to search through 3rd party apps but *BOOK DIRECTLY THROUGH THE WEBSITE OF THE AIRLINE YOU'RE FLYING* because it's much easier to make changes or cancellations if necessary. Once you've booked your flights, Jean will arrange your ground transportation. In order to make that happen, please email or text the itinerary to
RahHighway@gmail.com
and
Jean_activetravel@msn.com
OR
231-360-8702 and 614-771-6200
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Who do I contact to book my room in Jamaica?
Jean Gualtieri
614-771-6200
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THINGS TO KNOW:
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THE ROOM PRICE IS THE SAME WHETHER THERE IS 1 PERSON OR 2 PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.
Rates are based on double occupancy, but do not get discounted if only one guest is staying in the room. If you are traveling solo, here are your options:
1) Treat yo'self & sprawl out in that King bed, just know you'll be paying full price for that room instead of splitting with somebody.
2) Bring a friend! The more the merrier!
3) Ask us who else is traveling solo so we can match you up with a roomie! Text Rah & we'll get you squared away: 231-360-8702.
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While Sandals Ochi has an excellent night life, it is technically a couples resort, so all of the rooms have King beds. If you are being matched up with another solo traveler or traveling with someone you'd prefer NOT to share a king bed with, there are a limited number of rollaway beds available, but make sure you make this request as soon as possible during booking.
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The Jamaica Guest List
This is the official list of who has put their room deposit down with Jean for our wedding in Jamaica. If you don't see your name on this list and you plan to attend our wedding in Jamaica, please contact Sarah at 231-360-8702
or Jean at 614-771-6200
Our Wedding Party
Jenny Cesolini
Matron of Honor
Sarah's older sister, best friend, role model, confidant, and rock <3 She's a piece of my soul, and I seriously hit the jackpot when it comes to siblings. There are no words to describe this special bond, but if I had to pick three, they would be deep, forever, and cats.
David Coors
Best Man
Don and David's friendship has been forged over many late nights and early mornings fishing together, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have David stand in our wedding as Don's best man. We are so thankful to have this patient, hard working, fish (I mean fun!) loving guy in our lives <3
Zach Hughey
Groomsman
I have no doubt that Zach will be the one jumping off the highest cliff into the blue hole in Jamaica with Don. When these two get together, you can expect a full send to the moon. He's been there from the beginning of our relationship - even on our first camping trip together at Grand Island!
Melissa Fitzpatrick
Bridesmaid
The content of Melissa's kind and generous character stood out to Sarah the first time they spent time together (in Key West) and our lives would never be the same! If you can't find Sarah or Mel at the party, they're probably hugging and having a heart to heart in the corner <3
Please share your photos with us!
Everyone knows how important photos are to us, right? The greatest gift you can own are your memories. Please help us capture more photos from our lives, our wedding and the events leading up to it using the Wedding Photo Swap app. You'll be able to upload photos right from your phone into our albums and see all the other guests' photos, too! This is a central location for you to share and view photos from our trip to Jamaica, our Michigan reception, & our lives leading up to this point.
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We are looking for those hidden gems that we know you have in your phone, or maybe you have some pre-internet pics you could snap and share with us.
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If asked, enter these credentials to enter for viewing our wedding photos:
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Wedding Password: highway
Wedding ID: 137369
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CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE WEDDING PHOTO SWAP APP TO YOUR PHONE
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We have albums for you to share old photos of us individually and as a couple, along with albums where you can share photos you take at our wedding shower, your time in Jamaica with us, and during our Michigan reception. We look forward to seeing everything you capture! Join our photo sharing group using the button below:
Contacts, Key Dates & Addresses:
Jean Gualtieri
Travel Agent
614-771-6200
Jean_activetravel@msn.com
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Sarah Armstrong (Soon to be Highway)
Bride
Cell: 231-360-8702
Email: RahHighway@gmail.com
1789 Melody Lane
Interlochen, MI 49643
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Don Highway
Groom
Cell: 231-357-7400
Email: DHighway1234@hotmail.com
1789 Melody Lane
Interlochen, MI 49643
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Brian & Debbie Highway
Parents of the groom
231-357-5577
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Tishan Lewis, off site Sandals wedding planner
Office: 877-726-3257 Ext. 4759
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Jenny Cesolini
Matron of Honor
Phone: 312-320-8318
Email: JennyCesolini@gmail.com
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David Coors
Best Man
Phone: 231-590-3514
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Megan Fuller
Bridesmaid
Phone: 231-590-0181
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Key Dates & locations:
5/4/2022
Don and Sarah arrive to Sandals Ochi, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
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5/5/2022
IN HONOR OF GROOMSMAN JORDAN FULLER'S 36TH BIRTHDAY ON 5/3 & BRIDESMAID KAYTYLN JORDAN'S 31ST BIRTHDAY
All wedding guests who have arrived and would like to mingle and celebrate with our group should plan to attend Rum and Games Night at the Reef Terrace at 4pm
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5/6/2022
Sandals Ochi, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
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Wedding Rehearsal (Wedding party & immediate family only)
Manor Lawn, 3pm
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Rehearsal Dinner (Invitation Only)
Reef Terrace Gazebo, 4pm
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5/7/2022
It's our wedding day!
4pm Ceremony, Manor Lawn
Followed by cocktail hour & reception in the Grand Ballroom
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5/8/2022
Farewell Sunset Cruise
All wedding guests are invited to join us on a 2 hour private catamaran cruise departing from the Sandals Ochi dock at 4pm
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5/12/2022
Those who are still with us in Jamaica get to celebrate Don's 33rd birthday with us!
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6/4/2022
Time to celebrate with the rest of our friends & family!
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Elberta Life Saving Station
1120 Furnace St, Elberta, MI
4:30pm - 9:30pm
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Nearby towns/cities to explore:
Elberta, Frankfort, Traverse City, Interlochen, Lake Ann, Thompsonville, Leland, Beulah, Maple City, Cedar, Glen Haven, Suttons Bay, Cadillac
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Things to do:
Visit Fishtown in Leland
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Hike at the sleeping bear dunes
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Spend a day on literally any beach
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Visit and shop downtown Traverse City
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Eat at a local restaurant
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Fly a kite at the Open Space in Traverse City
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See a movie at the Cherry Bowl Drive-In Movie Theater
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Play disc golf at Hickory Hills
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Take the M22 scenic drive
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Tour and taste at the many wineries and breweries of the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas
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Visit the award winning spa at Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville
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Go drive around Pierce Stocking Drive for beautiful dune views without a huge hike
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Go charter fishing out of Frankfort or Traverse City
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Rent bikes and ride the paved TART trail from Suttons Bay to Williamsburg
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Places to Stay:
Harbor Lights Resort in Frankfort
https://harborlightsresort.net
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https://betsieriversideresort.com/
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https://www.michigan.org/property/interlochen-state-park
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Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville
https://www.crystalmountain.com/
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https://www.holidayparktc.com/
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https://www.thehotelfrankfort.com/
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Things to do & places to stay in Northern Michigan
Covid testing requirements for traveling to Jamaica
Travelers are not required to be vaccinated for entry to Jamaica or return to the US. You will, however, need a negative rapid antigen lab conducted covid test result taken no more than 1 day before travel OR documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 in the past 90 days before boarding your flight. You would prove recovery from covid by showing a positive PCR test result from a date within the 14-90 day window prior to your travel but (first positive test must be taken at least 2 weeks before your departure date). At home tests will not be accepted for proving a prior positive result and recovery from covid or to prove a current negative result - tests must be "lab conducted".
For guests leaving from The Traverse City airport, the airport is conducting free rapid antigen tests Wednesday through Saturday from 10am-6pm and it usually takes about 30 minutes for your results. That means if your flight is leaving earlier than noon on Thursday or Friday, you’ll need to come to the airport to get tested the day before you leave.
If your flight is leaving Traverse City on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday between 11:30am-6pm, you can get tested the day you leave.
If you’re departing for Jamaica any time on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday or before noon on Wednesday, you’ll need to go get tested somewhere else the day before you leave.
If you’re leaving from Traverse City and unable to get tested at the airport due to the date or timing of your flight, you can also schedule a same-day appointment at the traverse city walk in clinic at www.thewalkinclinic.biz
Just sign up on their website in the morning on the day you want to get tested and that puts you in line. They will text you when it’s time for you to drive to the clinic to get your test.
The Detroit airport is NOT offering testing on site, so you'll have to find another spot to test.
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The Grand Rapids airport is offering on-site testing 7 days/week during the hours of 6am-6pm with no appointments necessary (it's a drive up testing site). The cost of the tests are as follows:
Rapid PCR test (nearly 100% accurate - a higher accuracy rate than the rapid antigen tests): $275
Rapid Antigen test: $75
If you’re in a different city, please check with your local urgent care or walk in clinic.
Specifically, you’ll want to ask:
Do you perform Rapid antigen tests?
How long does it take to receive my results?
How do I schedule an appointment?
Even though Rite aid and Walgreens offer scheduled testing through their websites, PCR results can take up to 5 days to come back. If you decide to do a rapid antigen test, Walgreens offers them (not rite aid) and they take about an hour to receive results. PLEASE NOTE YOU'LL NEED TO SCHEDULE YOUR TEST SEVERAL DAYS IN ADVANCE IF YOU CHOOSE TO USE WALGREENS.
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Don and Sarah will be quarantining after the bridal shower on April 9th to ensure if symptoms of Covid show up, they can take a PCR test and prove recovery more than 2 weeks before their flight leaves.
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We know that quarantining is not an option for everyone, and we also realize that some of us will be able to show immunity with a positive PCR test within the 14-90 day window prior to travel. Here's the math on it if you want to be sure you can get on that plane:
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If you are leaving 5/4/22, the last day you can test positive for the first time would be 4/20/22, so you'd have to be showing symptoms by then to get a positive result.
It usually takes a couple days to show symptoms, but can take up to a week. That means safely, your last exposure to other people or crowds, especially indoors, would be 4/14/22.
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We know that this is not practical for everyone, but it's something to be aware of as you're making decisions on things to do leading up to your travel dates!
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FOR RETURNING FROM JAMAICA:
The resort will provide covid tests on site 1 day prior to your departure. If you test positive and have the travel insurance, the resort will house you for 5-10 days at no charge. After 5 days, you'd be required to take a rapid or antigen test. If the result is negative, then release can be authorized. If the result is positive, an additional 5 days of isolation is required, regardless of the vaccination and symptom status of the individual being isolated. During isolation the individual may not leave isolation quarters and will be provided with a "fit-to-fly" letter at either 5 days or 10 days when approved to leave.