GameDay Sports Bar

Pre-Wedding Celebration

Van Abel's of Hollandtown

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Our Wedding

Cassie's Version

“I’ll take a mimosa please, just a drop of orange juice!”- a line Ryne will never forget. What began as an average Saturday (11/25/23) with friends turned into something we never could have expected. College football at GameDay sports bar, a few too many drinks, and a horrible round of darts lead to us exchanging our numbers. While we have a few missed connections in the past - Amanda (Ryne's sister) being my softball coach and attending the same New Year’s Eve party in college years before - fate hadn’t yet wanted us to really meet.&nbsp; After our first real introduction, I was surprised to get a text from Ryne a week later. He was asking about my weekend. I asked about his too, he said, “well actually, it’s my birthday but I think you might have forgot when I told you last weekend.” WHOOPS. We exchanged several more text messages over the next few weeks and we planned our first date. Ryne drove 2 hours to Madison to beat me at mini golf. We also got to take a wintery stroll down Picnic Point - a famous spot in Madison on Lake Mendota - with my dog Stella. I didn’t want to get too ahead of myself but after this weekend, I had a good feeling about this one.&nbsp; Fast forward many months and things were getting serious. We were together almost every weekend. The two hour drive between Madison and Appleton couldn’t stop us! We enjoyed many fun adventures and activities such as ice skating, cooking, a trip to San Diego, lots of time with our families, pickleball, Badger games, etc. Ryne moved to Madison in early 2025 and proposed 6 months later in the same spot we walked on during our first date, Picnic Point. I am so lucky to have met my person the old fashioned way - at a bar. He’s everything I could have dreamed of and I can’t wait for our wedding day.&nbsp;

Ryne's Version

I woke up a bit groggy and hungover from the night before, but received a text from my friend Brennan to go watch the Michigan/Ohio State football game at GameDay at 11, followed by the famous Badger/Minnesota game at 3 after. An offer I couldn't refuse! On our first attempts to enter GameDay, it turned out that we were a bit early as the doors were locked. Thank goodness we didn't leave! After a few minutes of camping out, we were able to get inside. After sitting down at the near empty bar and ordering a drink, I heard some words I will never forget "Can I have a mimosa but with just a drop of Orange Juice please?" This began a day and night filled with conversation, an invite to come visit for a Badger hockey game the next weekend and finally ended with a late night kiss on the cheek that only one of us remembers. (Guess who?)&nbsp; I played it cool and didn't text Cassie for a few days, but did follow her on Instagram just to let her know I was still thinking about her. On Friday morning, I reached out asking about her weekend plans and saying it would have been much better had I been there. After this first texting interaction, Cassie and I talked constantly until our first official date when I drove down to Madison to play some mini golf, go for a romantic December walk on the "beach" and meet my future dog daughter, Stella. I was smitten with both and knew at that moment that something felt special and different about our connection.&nbsp; Our courtship continued through many months of travel to and from Madison &amp; Appleton, but the long distance finally came to an end when I found a job in Madison working in finance at UW for the Center for Dairy Research. Living in Madison with my own personal tour guide has been amazing and I cannot wait to grow as a family in Madison and hopefully get our dog daughter a yard to run in soon.

Our Story

Photos

Aaron Vanstippen

Taylor Schmirler (Zorteau)

Evelynn Barker

Bryant Barker

Charlotte Schmirler

Dave Rosene

Wedding Party

Q + A

Located 27 miles from Lambeau Field, Hilton Garden Inn Appleton/Kimberly offers 3-star accommodations in Kimberly and features a shared lounge, a restaurant and a bar. The property is around 2.9 miles from Lawrence University, 3.1 miles from The History Museum at the Castle and 10 miles from Fox Cities Stadium. The property provides a 24-hour front desk, airport transportation, room service and free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel offers guests a spa and wellness center with a hot tub and an indoor pool. St. Norbert College is 23 miles from Hilton Garden Inn Appleton/Kimberly, while Oshkosh Public Museum is 23 miles away. Outagamie County Regional Airport is 11 miles from the property.

Hilton Garden Inn Appleton/Kimberly

Offering free Wi-Fi and guest rooms with 37-inch flat-screen TVs, this Hilton Appleton Paper Valley is less than 10 minutes’ walk from Lawrence University. An indoor pool is located on-site. A 37-inch flat-screen TV with HBO cable is included in each air-conditioned room at Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley. A coffee maker, full-length mirror and hairdryer are also provided. Guests can enjoy a work out in the fitness center or relax in the sauna at Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley. A 24-hour airport transfer service is provided to all guests. Vince Lombardi’s Steakhouse, located on site, features prime steaks, chops and seafood for dinner each evening. The hotel also features 2 cafes and 2 bars on the property. Fox River Mall is less than 4 miles away. Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is adjacent to this hotel.

Hilton Appleton Paper Valley

Located in Appleton, 28 miles from Lambeau Field, Courtyard by Marriott Appleton Riverfront has accommodations with free bikes, free private parking, a fitness center and a garden. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. Guests can use a bar. Certain rooms also offer a kitchenette with a fridge and a microwave. A business center and vending machines with snacks and drinks are available on site at the hotel. The History Museum at the Castle is 1.6 miles from Courtyard by Marriott Appleton Riverfront, while Lawrence University is 1.2 miles from the property. Outagamie County Regional Airport is 7.5 miles away.

Courtyard by Marriott Appleton Riverfront

Less than 1 mile from Lawrence University, this boutique hotel is located in the heart of Appleton, Wisconsin. Free WiFi and a 43-inch flat-screen TV are included in every guest room. A mini-bar, microwave and tea and coffee-making facilities are provided in every room at Copper Leaf Boutique Hotel and Spa. A private bathroom with granite countertops, free toiletries and a hairdryer are offered in all rooms. Guests can relax in the on-site hot tub or in the spa located on the property. A modern fitness center is also offered. The hotel's lobby bar serves drinks in the evenings from Monday through Saturday. Guests can enjoy the on-site full service restaurant, Rye. Fox Cities Performing Arts Center is 3 minutes’ walk from this hotel. Lake Winnebago is 10 minutes’ drive from the property.

CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel & Spa, BW Premier Collection

GrandStay Hotel & Suites Kaukauna

Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Little Chute

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Appleton North, WI

Travel

Check out this Christmas bar, decorated all year long! ****Also, take a stroll around here on College avenue to see Appleton's historic downtown.

Cassie & Ryne

Cassie & Ryne

Things to Do

Cleo's Brown Beam

Lambeau Field Stadium Tours

Mark's East Side

Katsu-Ya of Japan