Harbor Point Restaurant - The Inlet Room

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Bay Head Yacht Club

Wedding Day

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Our Wedding

Kevin and Samantha’s story began in the summer of 2013 on Cape Cod. Kevin was spending the season playing baseball for the Cotuit Kettleers, and thanks to a little luck—and some great friends—one of Samantha’s best friends happened to be hosting one of his teammates. That connection led to a lakehouse party at Tern Lane and an unforgettable first meeting.	A year later, Kevin transferred to Oklahoma State, where Samantha was a member of the Cowgirl Equestrian Team. Despite being on the same campus, Samantha completely ignored him for the entire first semester. That became much harder after Kevin turned 21 over winter break and could finally chase her around Washington Street. By January, he had started introducing himself to her friends as “Samantha’s boyfriend,” though it wasn’t until just weeks before she graduated that she finally gave him the time of day.	A few months later, they officially started dating—and immediately jumped into long distance. What followed were countless flights, endless miles on the road, and more FaceTime hours than either of them can count. Kevin headed to Arizona to play baseball while Samantha stayed in Oklahoma coaching the Cowgirl Equestrian Team. Then Kevin moved on to New York to attend Columbia, while Samantha remained in Oklahoma.	Eventually, distance gave way to something closer. Kevin moved to New Jersey, Samantha to New York, and before long they took their biggest step yet—moving to Georgia together and officially beginning life side by side.	All the miles, moves, and moments led to one easy decision. In December 2024, Kevin asked Samantha to marry him, and she said yes. The rest, as they say, is just the beginning.

From Cape Cod to "I Do"

Our Story

Photos

Sarah and Samantha met at Oklahoma State in 2010 as teammates on the equestrian team. What started as a friendship grew into so much more — Sarah is now married to Brian (Samantha's oldest brother), a mom to two amazing kids, and truly the perfect addition to the Elser Clan. Samantha feels so lucky to have her as a sister-in-law and couldn’t imagine anyone better standing by her side as her matron of honor.

Matron of Honor

The Bridesmen are Samantha's brothers — from left to right: Danny, Drew, Brian, Jimmy, and Juggernaut (Doug). They have been her constants through every season of life: her protectors, her hype team, and her built-in best friends. Over the years, they have spent time teasing her, looking out for her, and making sure she never takes herself too seriously. She wouldn’t want anyone else standing by her side on the biggest day of her life.

The Bridesmen

Kevin met Scotty on April 6, 1997 at Princeton Hospital. His first impression? Small, loud, and very much a mama’s boy. Still, Kevin could already tell he had long-term upside — maybe even Best Man potential.They were housemates from 1997–2012, teammates in 2012, and are brothers for life. Scotty went on to play baseball at Indiana University before continuing his career professionally in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.He now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he works in medical device sales (not a doctor, despite how confidently he might explain things). Through every chapter — childhood chaos, competition, and adulthood — Scotty has been a constant. There’s no one Kevin would rather have standing beside him.

Best Man - Scotty Bradley

Kevin met John playing rec basketball in elementary school, and by middle school they were inseparable. Teammates in both baseball and basketball, they grew up competing side by side.On the basketball court, John was steady with the rock, owning a seasoned midrange game and an elite ability to find the open man — even when that man was Kevin, who was sometimes a little too eager to launch a three against the zone. On the diamond, the two formed what The Trentonian once called “the greatest double play combination in school history.”Years later, they lived together in Hell’s Kitchen while Kevin was finishing his degree at Columbia. During that time, John somehow convinced his boss at PIMCO to bring Kevin in for an interview he was absolutely not qualified for. To this day, Kevin still isn’t entirely sure what a pivot table is — but John has always believed in him anyway.Today, John lives at the Jersey Shore with his wife, Karen, and works as an Investment Operations Manager at Polar Asset Management in New York City. From rec basketball to New York City to this day, John has been steady, loyal, and firmly in Kevin’s corner — which makes him the obvious choice to stand beside him as Best Man.

Best Man - John Croak

Kevin met Tyler freshman year at Clemson, where their friendship began in the middle of competition and early-morning workouts. Their bond endured despite one particularly memorable moment in Chapel Hill — when Kevin assured Tyler he had room near the wall. He did. Just… not much. Tyler made the catch. The brick wall won the collision. The friendship survived.Their paths crossed again in the Cleveland Indians organization, where they later lived together in Arizona while rehabbing shoulder surgeries. Tyler went on to play nearly a decade in the minor leagues, earning respect everywhere he went for his toughness and consistency.Today, Tyler is the co-founder of Maven Baseball Lab in Atlanta, where he now technically serves as Kevin’s boss — yet he’s never amused when Kevin acknowledges such. From teammates to roommates to business partners, Tyler has been part of nearly every chapter of Kevin’s adult life, making him an easy choice to stand alongside him on this one.

Tyler Krieger 

Kevin met Steven freshman year at Clemson. Road trips quickly made them more than just teammates — they were roommates, navigating long bus rides, early games, and everything that comes with chasing something bigger.Their time together extended to the Cape Cod League, where they made more memories than hard contact. Most notably, Steven was there the night Kevin met Samantha, making him one of the few who can say he witnessed the very beginning.Steven went on to have an eight-year professional baseball career, including playing in the Major Leagues for the San Francisco Giants — an accomplishment that reflects the work ethic and talent Kevin saw from day one. Today, Steven lives outside Charleston, South Carolina with his wife, Bri, and their sons, Declan and Beckham.Steven has been part of Kevin and Samantha’s story since day one, and Kevin wouldn’t have it any other way.

Steven Duggar

Kevin was teammates and roommates with Michael at Oklahoma State, where both arrived as junior college transfers coming off labrum surgery. Starting over isn’t easy — but doing it together made it manageable. At the Grove Apartments, Michael’s steadiness and maturity were often a necessary counterbalance to the environment.After college, Michael continued his career pitching in the Miami Marlins organization, bringing the same consistency and work ethic that defined his time in Stillwater.Today, Michael lives outside Austin, Texas with his wife, Tara, their daughter MJ, and a baby boy on the way. Years ago, Kevin gave him twelve hours’ notice and showed up for a week — where Michael introduced him to Buc-ee’s, the Alamo, and a properly “dressed” Dos Equis like a true Texan. From labrum surgeries to spontaneous cross-country visits, Michael has always been steady — and Kevin wouldn’t want this day without him.

Michael Mertz

Kevin and Donovan were teammates and roommates at Oklahoma State, living together at the Grove Apartments in Stillwater. With shared Scottish and New Jersey roots, the connection was immediate. Late nights were often spent watching Chipper Jones and Omar Vizquel highlights, debating swings, gloves, and anything else baseball-related.Over the years, their friendship has stretched well beyond college — from celebrating at the Mertz and Theroux weddings to a summer in Scottsdale, Arizona, and most recently serving as Honorary Hoosiers for the Peach Bowl in Atlanta. Every reunion feels like picking up right where they left off.Donovan is still playing professional baseball, which unfortunately means he won’t be in attendance — but there was no scenario where he wasn’t on the groomsmen roster. And if he hits 20 homers this year, he owes Kevin a Cadillac.

Donovan Walton

Wedding Party

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Dress Code

This accomodation offers a total of 19 accomodation units.

The Bentley Inn

On the Jersey Shore, this Bay Head hotel is 1 mile from the Point Pleasant boardwalk and beach. The hotel has on-site dining at the Grenville Restaurant and free Wi-Fi is accessible from the rooms. A cable TV, air conditioning, and a private bathroom are included in every room at The Grenville Hotel and Restaurant. There is also a desk and select rooms have a sofa bed. On-site dining at the Grenville Hotel serves lunch and dinner. There is an option for brunch on Sunday and dining on the terrace is available in the summer months. Bay Head beaches are a 2-minute walk from the hotel and the Jenkinson's Aquarium is 2 miles away. The Bay Head train station is an 8-minute walk away.

The Grenville Hotel and Restaurant

Offering a heated outdoor swimming pool Point Pleasant Manor is located 1 block from the beach. Free Wi-Fi access is available. A flat-screen cable TV and refrigerator are included in each simply furnished guest room. Select rooms have a pool view. A poolside snack bar and vending machines provide refreshments. Jenkinson's Boardwalk is just 4 minutes’ drive from the property. Bay Head train station is 10 minutes’ walk.

Point Pleasant Manor

Located on the Manasquan Inlet in Point Pleasant Beach, Casa del Mar offers rooms with a patio or terrace where guests can relax with a cup of coffee. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. A flat-screen cable TV is provided in each room at the property. Guests are also offered a seating area, a microwave, a refrigerator and a granite bathroom with free toiletries. The beach and boardwalk at Point Pleasant are just 5 minutes’ walk from Casa del Mar. Jenkinson’s Aquarium is 0.6 mi away.

Casa del Mar

Located on the beach in Point Pleasant, the Windswept Motel is just 492 feet from the boardwalk and offers rooms with a TV. WiFi access is offered free of charge to guests. Cable channels and air conditioning are provided in each room at the motel, which also offers certain rooms with a sea view. An private bathroom is included and comes with a shower. Guests of the Point Pleasant Windswept Motel can relax with a swim in the seasonal outdoor pool or on the on-site sun terrace. Parking is also provided free of charge. Freehold Raceway and Monmouth Race Track are both within 30 minutes’ drive of the motel. Jenkinson’s Aquarium is 2953 feet away.

Windswept Motel

Featuring an outdoor pool this motel is in Point Pleasant New Jersey just 325 ft from the beach and boardwalk. Wi-Fi access is provided to guests free of charge. Cable TV and a view of the pool are featured in each room at Sand Pebble Motor Lodge. A dining area with a refrigerator and a patio with outdoor furniture are provided. The private bathroom includes a hairdryer and free toiletries. A large terrace provides a perfect place where guests at the Sand Pebble Motor Lodge can relax. Refreshments are available at the on-site snack bar and vending machines. Point Pleasant Train Station is just under 1 mile from the motel. Pleasure Park is just under half a mile away.

Sand Pebble Motor Lodge

Travel

Things to Do

WILL YOUR WEDDING BE INDOORS OR OUTDOORS?The ceremony, cocktail hour and reception are all indoors. The ceremony will be at the Bay Head Yacht Club (BHYC) Boat House, which is on the premises. The cocktail hour and reception will be at the BHYC Clubhouse. There is an open porch at the Clubhouse where guests will be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the bay during the cocktail hour. WHAT IS THE DRESS CODE?Formal attire. We suggest that men wear a suit in any color and women wear long dresses or gowns. CAN I TAKE PHOTOS?While we love that you want to capture our special moments, we kindly request an unplugged ceremony to allow everyone to be fully present and immersed in the experience. Our very talented photographer will be capturing all the highlights! ARE CHILDREN INVITED TO THE WEDDING?While we adore the children in our families, we've opted for an adults-only affair to allow everyone to relax and enjoy the celebration. WILL PARKING BE AVAILABLE AT THE VENUE?Yes! The BHYC has a parking lot at the clubhouse. WILL TRANSPORTATION BE PROVIDED?A trolly will be available to take guests from the parking lot at the BHYC clubhouse to the Boat House -- a 5 min. walk if you prefer -- where the ceremony will take place.

Samantha & Kevin

Samantha & Kevin

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