Liberty Tavern

Rehearsal Dinner

The Barn at Rock Creek

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

How we met? Funny story... Ryan and I met on a dating app called "Tinder". Ryan messaged me the day after I signed on and complimented me on the image of my dog, Kilo that I had in my picture. I sort of blew him off, since it was a common compliment I was getting by others. I commented to him of how cliche his pick up line was, so then he proceeded to make another attempt and asked me what I did for a career. We chatted back and forth via message on the app for a few days and then he finally got the courage to ask me for my phone number. At this point, I felt that he was pretty harmless and gave him my phone number, secretly anticpating his call. He waited approximately 3 minutes (informing me later he didn't want to appear desperate) hahaha...then he began to text me. We chatted via text for several days while he was traveling home for Easter to visit with his family. By the time he got back in to town to take me out on our first date, I felt like we knew each other for years. Our first date was at a new sushi restaurant downtown, where we talked and laughed over dinner. We then walked on the river walk and oddly enough sat down on a wooden bench to disclose our most "embarrassing moments". It was the high amount of laughter and the sense of comfort that made this date one to remember.

How we met

The week before Ryan proposed he asked for me to leave work a little early for him to "book" something for us. Of course, if you know me I am really hard to surprise so I continued to bug Ryan by asking for hints. At first I thought we were going to get couples massages, but then he agreed to give me one hint. The day he proposed, he said, "Its somewhere we've never been but we've always wanted to go". Another thing about me is I really love animals and over the past few years I have increasingly found a love for Owls. Ryan and I have been to several community outreach events for the Cape Fear Raptor Center. The Cape Fear Raptor Center is a rehabilitation center for injured birds, eagles, owls, etc. After work, I came home and Ryan is dressed very nicely and pacing around the house waiting for me to get ready. On our way to our "appointment", it finally hit me that we were going in the direction towards the Cape Fear Raptor Center. He was so surprised that I guessed our destination. I was tickled to death that I was going to have the chance to be able to get up close and personal with several owls. However, little did I know that wasn't the only surprise. Ryan and I arrived at the Cape Fear Raptor Center and we were able to tour the facility, meet the friendly staff, and many animals they were taking care of. I was even able to hold several of the owls. I was amazed at the facility's ability to take care and rehabilitate so many wild animals in order for them to go back out in the wild. Towards the end of the tour, they took us to a private upstairs room to meet with 2 of their most famous owls, Karma and Archey. One of the staff members asked if she could record me while they had Karma fly to my arm, explaining they could use it for advertisement. I agreed, but then looked at Ryan with a very uncomfortable look. They provided me with a very large glove, and a dead rat to hold for them to fly to. (Yes, I said a dead rat. That was probably the most disgusting but really cool part). I was shaking like a leaf, but the staff instructed me on what to do in order for the owl to fly safely and perch on my hand. As, the owl was flying to me she was so quick but yet so graceful. I was so mesmerized by her beauty and the fact that she was gobbling down a rat out of my hand that it took a few seconds to realize there was a note attached to her foot. The note read, "WILL YOU MARRY ME". As I look at Ryan, confused and stunned. He also was mesmerized by Karma, to where it took him a few seconds to remember why we were there. Ryan proceeded to get down on one knee and expressed his desire to spend the rest of our lives together. As I was trying to wake my body up from this shock, the tears began to flow, and I said YES!! Afterwards, Ryan took me to one of our favorite Sushi restaurant where he had my Dad, Stepmom, and my best friend waiting for us to celebrate. It was a night I will never forget.

The Proposal

Our Story

Details

Laura and Danielle met in their sophomore year at UNCW in their anatomy class and became roommates shortly after for 3 years.They have been insepareble ever since.

Laura Sullivan 

Jessica and Danielle met in 6th grade and grew up together as childhood best friends. 

Jessica Mckague

Christina and Danielle met in 6th grade and grew up together as childhood best friends. 

Christina Tammerine

Lindsey and Danielle met in College at UNCW during Danielle's first year in Wilmington and became best friends instantly. 

Lindsey Caldwell

Phyllis dates Ryan's brother Nick, and they met in 2014 when Ryan and Nick both brought home their new girlfriends to meet each other and the family.  Phyllis and Danielle instantly hit it off as friends.  

Phyllis Marshall

Meaghan is Ryan's God-daughter and cousin. 

Meaghan Brankin

Nick Kondor

Chino and Ryan grew up together as childhood best friends.

Steven Somarriba (Chino)

Jeff and Ryan met in high school and also worked at the same car dealership before Ryan moved to Wilmington. 

Jeff Wallace

Alex and Ryan met through mutual friends during college and stayed in touch over the years. 

Alex Zsoldos

Tyler and Ryan met in college and played on the same softball team in Wilmington. 

Tyler Stott

Marler is Jeff's daughter who Ryan and Danielle have grown close to over the years. 

Marler Wallace

Bill is Laura's boyfriend of 5 years who has always been a good friend to Ryan and Danielle. 

Bill Meyer

Clay and Ryan met back in college and were roommates for a couple of years. 

Clay Fuller

Wedding Party

Photos

Registry

Q + A

This hotel is located in Leland, NC about 11 minutes from our Wedding venue, 25 minutes from our rehearsal dinner venue, 15 minutes from downtown Wilmington, and 27 minutes from Wrighstville Beach. *Approximately $120 for a 2 night stay and includes complimentary breakfast.

Best Western Plus Westgate Inn & Suites

This location is in Leland, NC. This is located about 12 minutes from our wedding venue, 24 minutes from our wedding rehearsal dinner venue, and 12 minutes from downtown Wilmington.*Approximately $150 for a 2 night stay and includes complimentary breakfast.

Holiday Inn Express Leland - Wilmington Area

This location is in downtown Wilmington, about 20 minutes from the Wedding Venue, 20 minutes from the Rehearsal Dinner Venue, and 21 minutes from Wrighstville Beach. *Approximately $630 for a 2 night stay.

Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District

This hotel is located near Mayfaire Town Center, about 34 minutes from the Wedding Venue, about 13 minutes from the Rehearsal Dinner Venue, and 8 minutes from Wrighstville Beach. *Approximately $125 a night and includes complimentary breakfast.

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Wilmington Mayfaire

This hotel is located in central Wilmington, about 26 minutes from the Wedding Venue, 15 minutes from the rehearsal dinner venue, and about 16 minutes to Wrighstville Beach.* Approximately $115 a night and includes complimentary breakfast.

Danielle & Ryan

Danielle & Ryan

Travel

Best Western Plus Westgate Inn & Suites

Holiday Inn Express Leland - Wilmington Area

Courtyard by Marriott Wilmington Downtown/Historic District

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Wilmington Mayfaire

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Wilmington-University Ctr