Hungry Mother State Park

Rehersal

Delta Blues BBQ - Abingdon

Halloween Party Rehearsal Dinner

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Lakeview Lodge

Reception

Family Sendoff Brunch

Wedding Party Party

Our Wedding

Our Story

Engagement - October 20, 2024

Engagement Photoshoot - February 8, 2025

Engagement Photos

Austin Nedrow - Best Man

Hi! I'm Austin, Ryan's younger brother and his best man. I'm so excited to celebrate Karena and Ryan's special day, see their smiles, and I am thankful for the many people coming together to cheer them on. Let's have the best time! When I'm not yelling out support and encouragement to my family, I use my loud voice and extraversion for acting and theatre! NYC's been my home for a year, and I haven't gotten tired of the rats yet (maybe I need a Josie cat of my own)! Be well, and goooo Ryan &amp; my new big sister, Karena! Love you both!

Molly Elasky - Maid of Honor

Hi! I'm Molly, a massage therapist by day and a gamer/crafter by night. Anything nature-related has my heart. I met Karena while living in Tennessee before moving back to Minnesota. Fun fact: Karena and I were supposed to be enemies, but fate had other plans surprising everyone by becoming inseparable best friends!! Watching her journey with Ryan (and Josie) has been nothing short of magical. They are the blessing my best friend never knew she needed, and I couldn't be more honored than to stand by her side as maid of honor on their most important day. Cheers till the wedding!

Jordan Taylor - Officiant

Elloh gov'nah! I met the bride when I was merely 13 months and 4 weeks old. As fate would have it, we are very close and share an unbreakable bond. Most of the time we still pick with each other like we are young children, but only for funsies. I met Ryan not long after he and Karena started dating and had an instant fondness for him. I have since learned more about him and have only grown more fond of the fellow. I'm still not certain who naps more between Ryan and Josie, and one may never know. Nonetheless, Karena and Ryan have an amazing connection, and I'm elated, honored, and overjoyed to officiate the wedding of my younger sister and new brother. Welcome to our sometimes dysfunctional, but usually entertaining family, and let's all have an amazing time!!! A little background on myself: I have preached the gospel on occasion for over 10 years, am a huge sports fan, and love to have a good time! I also recently got married myself and absolutely love this season of love for both our families!!!

Andrew McMahan

Hey, I'm Andrew. I met Ryan in 2022 when he became a graduate assistant at the archives where I worked. We got to know each other talking about tabletop games and eventually he dragged me back into the living history hobby. We participated in events together from Northern Virginia to the Alabama coast, and it has been a blast. However, after an incident at Fort Blakely I will never trust his seafood recommendations again! I met Karena in 2023 when she rescued Ryan and I from Chickamauga and took us to get pizza. I have seen firsthand how these two have enriched each other's lives, and I am thrilled that they asked me to be a part of this important moment in their relationship.

Brooke Knox

Hi there, I'm Brooke! I met Karena through our amazing mutual friend Molly! I am an autobody painter by trade, but when the sun goes down, you'll probably find me at a rave, living for the music, lights, and energy. Karena and Ryan are truly amazing and from that first connection it's been nothing but good vides and unforgettable memories. I'm so thrilled to be celebrating this beautiful day with you both!

Christopher Utt-Grubb

Hi yall! My name is Christopher Utt-Grubb. I met Ryan through the Tabletop Club at MTSU. We first met playing board games together at club (probably either diplomacy or viticulture) and bonded quickly as we began to hang out in our free time. Within a few years Karena came on the scene and joined in all our nerdiness. It was amazing getting to know the both of them better through the fantasy of being pirates and talking in funny voices. Plus I'm beyond relieved that there is someone to teach Ryan what a good spirit is. I can't wait to attend the wedding! P.S. I was the first person to find Josie and name her the true name.

Lauren Mower

Hi! I'm Lauren, one of Ryan's sisters. I couldn't be happier to be part of this next chapter for my big brother and his amazing fiancé, Karena, who we're so excited to welcome into the family. I recently got married myself, so it's been a season full of love and celebration for our family. I enjoy reading, hiking, and camping in my free time and I will be relocating to the Finger Lakes of New York this summer to start medical school at LECOM Elmira. Can't wait to celebrate with everyone!

Logan McVey

Hi! My name is Logan and I met Ryan in 2023 right around the time when we both started graduate school at Middle Tennessee State University. We bonded over board games, tabletop RPGs, and our mutual love of history, and the innumerable woes and frustrations of graduate school. I met Karena after Ryan and her started dating and we then enjoyed sharing all of our common interests together! It was so incredible seeing how much Ryan's life has changed and improved after meeting Karena, and I know it'll only get better for the two of them as they spend the rest of their lives together. In my free time I enjoy all of the nerdy hobbies, but I also enjoy traveling, baking, and just trying new things. P.S. Ask me about the true name of Josie (the world must know the truth).

Lyndsey Nedrow

Hello! I'm Lyndsey, one of Karena's future sisters (younger sister of the groom). I work in Ephrata, Pennsylvania as Practice Manager for a mental health practice, and in the evenings work as a swim coach with the local Lancaster Aquatic Club. Outside of work I enjoy climbing and spending time with loved ones. When I first met Karena, she immediately became family. My big brother is the luckiest man in the world to have found her. I love them both very dearly, and am so excited to celebrate them and their love for each other!

Nathaniel Johnston

Hello! I'm Nathaniel and I met Ryan through Scouting in 2013, as a member of a Venture Crew fife and drum corps. Ryan and I played music together from the battles of Bull Run to Appomattox and back again, becoming fast friends along the way. I met Karena in late 2023, and it has been wonderful getting to know her and see the two of them grow as a couple. In addition to playing drum and taking part in living history events, I enjoy playing Irish fiddle, hiking, camping, and have recently completed two terms of service with a conservation corps. I am honored to be part of this special moment in Ryan and Karena's lives, and I am so excited to celebrate with you all.

Roselynne Farrell

Hi, I'm Roselynne! I met Ryan freshman year of college at Gettysburg where we became friends through fencing and swing dancing. I met Karena through Ryan, and it's been so much fun getting to know her the past few years. I'm incredibly happy for the two of them, and can't wait to celebrate their wedding!

Rowan Lustre

Hi! My name is Rowan and I met Ryan and Karena through their friend Molly! The second I met them I knew they were both amazing people. I'm kind of a homebody, but if I'm not chilling with my animals I'm at an EDM event! I can't wait to meet everyone and celebrate the amazing love these two have found!

Josie Nedrow - Honorary Ring Bearer

HI! My name is Josie Jake Nedrow and I will be honorary ring bearer. I met Ryan and his friends, Logan and Chris, in the fall of 2022 over some back porch beer and deli turkey. I instantly adopted him and found a home for life. I spend most of my time napping, lounging, and loafing with occasional moments of zoominess. I am very talkative and very nosy. My favorite pasttime is cuddling with Karena and Ryan. I can't wait to meet you all! Pay me a visit! Meow!

Wedding Party

Q + A

Be a Tourist!

Marion, Virginia: <a href="https://www.marionva.org/home/pages/attractions" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.marionva.org/home/pages/attractions</a>Abingdon, Virginia: <a href="https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/</a>Roanoke, Virginia: <a href="https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.visitroanokeva.com/things-to-do/</a>Bristol, Tennessee: <a href="https://explorebristol.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://explorebristol.com/</a>Knoxville, Tennessee: <a href="https://www.visitknoxville.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.visitknoxville.com/</a>Northeast Tennessee: <a href="https://northeasttennessee.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://northeasttennessee.org/</a>

Lodgings

Hungry Mother State Park (the wedding venue):<a href="https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/hungry-mother#cabins_camping" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/hungry-mother#cabins_camping</a>Marion, Virginia:<a href="https://www.marionva.org/home/pages/lodging" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.marionva.org/home/pages/lodging</a>Abingdon, Virginia:<a href="https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/places/category/lodging/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://visitabingdonvirginia.com/places/category/lodging/</a>

Karena & Ryan

Karena & Ryan

Engagement Photos

Engagement - October 20, 2024

Engagement Photoshoot - February 8, 2025