Wedding Ceremony

Courtyard by Marriott Paramus

Welcome Pizza Party

Seasons Catering

Wedding Celebration

Cocktail Hour

Reception

Fall

Our Wedding

"I told you so"

It was a September day in 2014 when Annie first strolled into CrossFit Mahwah to bring her competitive exercise aspirations to the next level. Ryan, a CrossFit Mahwah gym goer himself noticed this new addition to the gym. While his goal was to become a better softball pitcher, he treaded lightly around Annie's superstar fitness squad. As time would go on, Ryan and Annie would inevitably grow closer as they both spent quite a lot of time at the gym together.

Several years went by during which Ryan continued softball with intensity while Annie fell in love with powerlifting and the two continued a friendship rooted in poking fun at each other. One day, Annie would pull a record deadlift later asking Ryan via social media "Do you even lift?". The same day Ryan pitched the game of his life and showed up at the bar to celebrate with his softball team only to open his phone and immediately be humbled with notifications of Annie's post. Ryan, not easily offended, leaned in and later invited Annie to a squat seminar with him at Skiba's gym, appealing to this new love of hers. Little did they know, their life ahead would be based on constant laughs, making fun of each other and mutually enjoyed activities.

Time would pass and the COVID-19 pandemic happened. As the two went stir crazy amidst quarantines, they turned to each other to navigate through these odd times. Their friendship grew strong over long winded conversations, lengthy walks and trips to the driving range during these next few years.

In May 2021 Ryan told Annie he was planning to move to Austin, TX. Surprised and a bit saddened, Annie was reluctantly happy for him. Shortly after Ryan moved, Annie planned a trip down to TX for a visit with Ryan. Annie's friends and family would question her about this friendship. "We are just friends, nothing more" she would explain and these conversations would end in plenty of eyerolls. She planned another trip to Austin for a visit in early 2022, the same "friend" conversations would ensue and Annie and Ryan would go about their merry way embracing their friendship.

It was September 10, 2022 that marked a major transition in the Annie &amp; Ryan friend story turned love story. Annie would travel down to Austin yet again with Ryan's softball buddies Steve and Jack for the UT vs Alabama football game. After an almost UT victory, the 4 would nap to recover after a long day of tailgating only to continue festivities later that evening at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar. Call it luck, divine intervention, or the crystals at work, the lady in the green dress would catalyze this love story that had been brewing for YEARS. The lady in the green dress, a stranger and self-professed matchmaker happened to be seated next to Ryan at the piano bar. She leaned in to Ryan to explain that the "aura" between Ryan and Annie was evident. She continued to buy the pair drinks, worked her matchmaker magic, and facilitated a kiss between the two that evening. Tired and confused the next morning, Ryan would uber to Annie to discuss what had happened. It was at that point both agreed this friendship based on awkward hugs was much more and needed to be explored.

Ryan and Annie dated ever since the piano bar moment, enjoying time at the golf course and tennis courts; exploring Texas cuisine; attempting some two-step; traveling on weekends; watching all the football (Go Bills!) and doing everything else between. Eventually in 2023, Annie would move to Austin, TX, they would introduce their new puppy Balthazar to their home and Ryan would eventually propose to make this relationship a forever decision. To make this very long story a bit shorter, we will just say the rest is history and offer up a cheers to all of our friends and family that would like to say "I told you so".

Our Story

Welcome to our kitchen where the ingredients are a heaping scoop of laughter, a cup of love and a dash of chaos. Here you'll find us with our furry-sous-chefs (or more like hungry patrons) sharing wine, whiskey and the occasional joke that only we find funny. Cheers to a lifetime of delicious food, drink and memories!

For all of you that know us for our competitive spirit and intense determination at all things sports and fitness, these photos will reveal a different side of us that most of the world is not privy to, trading in our fierce rallies for tender moments and standard drives for demonstrations of trust on the tee box. Game, set, match - here's to a lifetime of playful competition and endless love!

Photos

Dawn Cassell

Will Penny

Wedding Party

Travel Logistics

Wedding Details

Random Other Information

Q + A

Hotels

The Courtyard Marriott Paramus is about 10 minutes from our venue and we have a hotel room block at a rate of $130 per night for rooms booked between March 6, 2025 and March 8, 2024. You may use the reservation link below or call to make reservations at 800-321-2211 and identify yourself with the&nbsp;&nbsp;Penny/Cassell&nbsp;Wedding. If using the link to book, you must select a date range between March 6 and March 8. Rooms at our discounted rate will be available on a first come first serve basis. Reservation Link: https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1712004217224&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink The cutoff date for our block is 2/6/25. At that time,​ ​any remaining rooms in the block will be released for general sale and additional reservations will no longer be available at our group rate. Cancellation Policy: Individual guest room cancellations must be made 48 hours prior to check-in or room rate fee will be applied.

Courtyard by Marriott Montvale

Marriott Park Ridge

Dining

Breakfast / Brunch

If you're looking for a place to grab breakfast on Saturday, there are plenty of good spots from diners to delicious restaurants. Some of our favorites are in Montclair including The Corner and Marcel Bakery &amp; Kitchen.

You can pretty much do no wrong here.

Marcel Bakery and Kitchen

Love the omelettes and pastries here

The Corner

The Cassell family is a big fan of diners. These are few and far between back in Buffalo and this has been frequented for a casual meal including breakfast.

Candlewyck Diner

Lunch / Dinner

This is a restaurant with reliable American cuisine and cocktails that the couple frequented for lengthy conversations over cocktails, a quick brunch after a session of "watch Ryan run" on the tennis courts or a birthday dinner.

The Barrow House

Other Restaurants

We could go on and on about food but we won't. You are in the metro-NY area and a great restaurant is only a Yelp search away. You will also be among some Yelp Elite and local NJ foodies at this wedding if you can scope them out for a recommendation. Ultimately, if you like BBQ, come visit us in Texas (we love visitors). Otherwise, NYC/NJ is your oyster from pizza and Italian to just about anything else.

Travel & Dining

For the baseball fans out there, even if you are a Red Sox fan, you will appreciate a trip to this museum.

Yogi Berra Museum

For the shopaholics, if you indulge with your fellow baseball fans and entertain a trip to the Yogi Berra Museum, they may just indulge you with a shopping spree at the outlets.

Woodbury Common Premium Outlets

New York City

You will be about 30 miles outside of NYC so this may be the perfect weekend to explore the sites of the city. Obviously so much to do there and here are a few to consider. With all the bicycles, scooters and foot traffic, the train is the recommended way of getting into the city.

9/11 Memorial & Museum

Statue of Liberty

Ellis Island

The High Line

Things to Do

Having loving family and friends join our special day and celebrate with us is the best gift we could ask for. We have been blessed with many things we need for life and love and if you wish to share a gift with us we would be honored with a gift towards our new home.

Ann Marie & Ryan