AnnJae & Lucas

July 26 2026

Belmont NC

Meet and Greet Karaoke

Thursday, July 23, 2026

7:00 PM–9:00 PM

Jeff's Bucket Shop

1601 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC, 28209, United States

We’ll kick off wedding weekend by gathering at our home at 6:00 PM to welcome everyone in town. From there, we’ll head to Jeff’s Bucket Shop (21 and over only, no exceptions) for a private karaoke gathering from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. After 9:00 PM, the bar opens to the public and the party can keep going! Jeff’s is where it all started for us, so it only feels right to begin our wedding weekend there. Dinner will be provided. Beverages will be available for purchase at the bar. Dress as you are, comfortable and ready to have fun. We’ll sing, laugh, and start the celebration together.

Explore Charlotte

Friday, July 24, 2026

If your Save the Date says “Explore Charlotte,” Friday is yours to enjoy. Take the day to explore Charlotte, try a new restaurant, visit a local brewery, walk the city, or simply relax before the wedding festivities begin. Lucas has curated a list of some of our favorite spots and recommendations below to help you plan your time. Later that evening, once our dinner wraps up, we may plan a casual late night meet up for anyone who wants to keep the fun going. Details can be shared closer to the weekend. We cannot wait to celebrate with everyone on Saturday.

Fun Family and Friend Day at Meadows

Saturday, July 25, 2026

3:00 PM–8:00 PM

Camelot Meadows Event Venue

1335 Armstrong Road, Belmont, NC, 28012

Before we say “I do,” we wanted intentional time to spend with the people we love most and simply enjoy being present. Join us at Camelot Meadows for an afternoon of connection, laughter, fun and games. This experience is designed for our families and friends, including the kids, to explore the grounds and enjoy everything this place has to offer. Enjoy: • Lawn games and open green space • A bouncy house for the kids • Fishing at the lake • S’mores by the fire • Exploring the bamboo forest • Visiting the rescued animals • Music Food and beverage vendors will be on site with menus available for individual purchase. Indoor and outdoor spaces will be available throughout the day. We look forward to sharing this time with you and your families. PLEASE NOTE: Guests who RSVP for this event will have the opportunity to submit the names of any additional family members or friends they would like to bring to Family Fun Day closer to the event date. Additional details will be provided as the event approaches.

Wedding Day

July 26, 2026

2:00 PM

Camelot Meadows Event Venue

1335 Armstrong Road, Belmont, NC, 28012

Attire: Summer Semi-Formal/Cocktail

Our ceremony will take place outdoors in the bamboo forest at Camelot Meadows, where we will exchange vows and begin this new chapter surrounded by the people who mean the most to us. This moment marks not only the joining of Lucas and AnnJae, but the blending of our families and the start of something deeply meaningful. Following the ceremony, guests will enjoy a cocktail hour before moving indoors for an evening reception filled with dinner, heartfelt toasts, laughter, and celebration. And when the formalities conclude, the music will rise and the dance floor will call. Whip out your dancing shoes. We fully intend to celebrate big and end the night exactly where we belong, together on the dance floor. It will be a beautiful close to our destination style wedding celebration at home, and we are so excited to share it with you. Wedding ceremony attire information is provided below.

Reception

Camelot Meadows Event Venue

1335 Armstrong Road, Belmont, NC, 28012

Ceremony Attire

Summer Semi-Formal / Cocktail Attire

Our ceremony will take place outdoors in July, followed by an indoor reception. Please dress with the summer heat in mind while maintaining an elevated, polished look.

We kindly request semi-formal or cocktail attire. Think refined, tailored, and fashionable. Denim of any kind, including jeans, athletic wear, and overly casual attire are not appropriate for this celebration. Guests are encouraged to choose polished pieces that reflect the elegance of the occasion.

We cannot wait to see everyone beautifully dressed as we gather to celebrate together.

Wedding Guest Attire Cheat Sheet

Our Story

We met at the Bucket Shop—AnnJae noticed the way Lucas’s hair caught the breeze as he walked in, and Lucas was instantly taken with her stage presence.

After one pandemic and two floods, a chance encounter at that same bar turned into a conversation that left both of us convinced we had made the first move.

As we fell in love, there was dating, meeting family and pets, trips, holiday traditions, and an awful lot of karaoke. We combined homes, Lucas stepped into fatherhood, and AnnJae discovered what it feels like not to carry everything alone.

Then came a proposal, an enthusiastic yes, and a shared promise to keep building this life—preferably with karaoke breaks along the way.

Travel

The formal invitations aren't out yet, but it's not too early to start thinking about travel details!

Our Saturday and Sunday festivities are in Belmont, NC, roughly 30-40 minutes outside of Charlotte.

Where to Stay

We've reserved an initial block of rooms at the Charlotte Marriott SouthPark, 2200 Rexford Road Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, 28211. There are no planned activities at the hotel, so you are welcome to shop around and look for other options. Note that the Steele Creek area in SW Charlotte *looks* close to the venue, but in fact there is no direct way across the Catawba River from there.

Transportation

If you're flying in, note that the venue is not within walking distance of any hotel. We recommend renting a car.

If there is sufficient interest, we will arrange a shuttle bus from the SouthPark Marriott to the venue on Sunday for the ceremony.

Questions? Let us know

When you book your travel information, send AnnJae and/or Lucas a text with the details. We look forward to seeing everyone!

Things to Do

If you have some free time while you're in town, here are a few favorites nearby:

Carowinds — a large amusement park on the state line with roller coasters, family rides, and seasonal events

U.S. National Whitewater Center — outdoor adventures including whitewater rafting, ziplining, hiking, and paddleboarding on man-made rapids

Historic Belmont downtown — walkable shops, cafés, and the Belmont Abbey campus for a quiet stroll

Fourth Ward and Uptown Charlotte — museums, galleries, restaurants, and nightlife

Local trails and greenways — all over Charlotte and the Lake Wylie area; great for walking and biking

Montford Drive, Charlotte — many bars and restaurants, Jeff's Bucket Shop for karaoke nightly, billiards, bowling (also Lucas and AnnJae's neck of the woods)

Joy Fund Registry

As we begin this new chapter, we’ve chosen to create a custom registry centered around experiences and the life we are continuing to build together. Rather than traditional household items, our Joy Fund allows us to invest in meaningful moments, shared adventures, and future goals as husband and wife. Thank you for celebrating with us and for being part of our story.

Wedding Party

Za'laysia - Junior Bridesmaid

A creative spirit and one of the bride’s greatest blessings, she brings joy, imagination, and heart into everything she touches. Having her standing here as daughter and light of this family makes the day even more meaningful.

Tommi - Matron of Honor

A beautiful soul with strength and grace woven into who she is. As the bride’s first true friend after moving to Charlotte, her loyalty and love have been a steady foundation through every season.

Calista - Maid of Honor

Thoughtful, creative, and deeply dependable, she has become family in every way that matters. As the bride’s son’s partner and a daughter by love, her presence here feels natural and right.

Celina - Bridesmaid

Caring, warm, and always ready with unforgettable laughter. Life with her includes inside jokes like “the birds are spittin,” and that kind of shared joy means everything.

Nikkia - Bridesmaid

Bold, loving, fiercely loyal, and without question our biggest cheerleader. Her encouragement has carried us through more moments than she knows.

Lisa - Bridesmaid

Kindness in human form with a strong and unwavering spirit. A friend of Lucas for over thirteen years, her acceptance of the bride turned friendship into sisterhood.

Jen - Bridesmaid

Joyful and full of light, she played a pivotal role in this love story. Her encouragement helped push us toward becoming a couple, and for that we are forever grateful.

Debbie - Bridesmaid

Grace and strength have always defined her. Best friends since fourth grade, she has long hoped for this kind of happiness to find its way into the bride’s life.

Cathy - Bridesmaid

Thoughtful and deeply devoted, she shows up wholeheartedly for the people she loves. Having known the bride for over fifth teen years, her steady presence and trust have been woven into many seasons of life.

Ambrosia - Bridesmaid

Radiant and full of heart, she has been a constant for over twenty-five years. Auntie to the children by title, sister by love, and forever family.

Pamela - Bridesmaid

Pam has been by AnnJae’s side since middle school, over 30 years of friendship, laughter, and life together. Through every season, she has been a steady, loving presence, and her kind, caring heart shines in the way she shows up for both people and animals. It means so much to have her standing with us and celebrating this moment together.

Sydney - Bridesmaid

Originally a friend of the groom and now fully ours, she carries a sweetness that feels like family. Watching her look to us with that trusting spirit is something we deeply cherish.

Nataliya - Bridesmaid

Strong, caring, and full of light. Once Lucas’s friend and now truly ours, she protects and loves her people fiercely, and that loyalty means everything.

Brayden - Junior Groomsman

Wise beyond his years and a close friend to Za’laysia, he brings a quiet confidence and steady presence to the celebration.

Nijae' - Best Man

The bride’s eldest and a creative force with a strong, steady presence. His love, maturity, and unwavering support of this marriage mean more than words can express. Having him stand here is not only an honor, but a reflection of the deep bond and pride shared between mother and son.

Ajah'nie - Man of Honor

Kind, sweet, and endlessly creative, he carries both heart and quiet strength. As the bride’s second son, his wholehearted support and love for this union have been a beautiful gift. Watching him grow into the man he is today makes this moment even more meaningful.

Vince - Groomsman

A college friend and former bandmate to the groom, their bond was shaped through music and shared memories. Witty and genuine, he brings a relaxed presence that makes him easy to be around and deeply valued.

Kevin - Groomsman

Respectful, kind-hearted, and steady from day one. His influence and example have meant more than he may ever realize, and his presence in this family has been a blessing. With a generous heart and quiet strength, he shows up with love every time.

Ray - Groomsman

Djaq - Groomsman

Craig - Groomsman

Mark - Groomsman

One of the bride’s very best friends from back home in Fayetteville, and a constant through many chapters of life. Professional, loyal, and more like family than a friend. From the moment he met the groom, he made it clear, Lucas is one cool dude.