Private Ceremony

Wedding Day

Wedding

Three Taverns Craft Brewery

Reception

Our Wedding

Their story began during the most awkward times of their lives: middle school. Ryan and Kat didn't know each other very well as they had both just moved to the area. They continued to move up grades until they found themselves in high school- at the same lunch table even. Kat had a huge crush on Ryan, and Ryan pretended he didn't notice :). They both went on to graduate high school as just friends- Ryan moving to Athens to go to UGA and Kat moving to Valdosta to attend Valdosta State. They lost touch for awhile. Fast forward to 7 years and a few other boyfriends and girlfriends (and a chubby dog named Gibson) later. Kat and Ryan both found themselves single. And Ryan's mom, Connie, found herself at Sugar Hill Automotive in front of Kat's mom, Merry, who was working at the front desk. They started talking about their kids and discovered they knew each other- and that they were both available! The rest is history. Kat and Ryan went on their first date and ate tacos and drank margaritas, and they (and Gibson!) have been inseparable ever since.

How They Met

It's no secret that Kat and Ryan like to hike. They've gone on several hiking adventures across the Southeast with their trusty Collie (Sheltie?), Gibson. Speaking of Gibson- most of you know Kat is unhealthily obsessed with him. Like, has-17-portraits-of him-hanging-in-her-house-obsessed. So Ryan knew that when he was ready to pop the question, Gibs would have to be there. One morning in June, Kat, Ryan, and Gibson decided to go hiking at one of their favorite spots, Sweetwater Creek. They had gone there on there second date and decided to recreate it. They walked/climbed rocks in the oppressive 90 degree heat for about two miles, when Ryan made Kat take out her nice camera to attempt to take some shots of some wild berries (a distraction tactic, she realized later). After she turned around, Ryan was on knee, where he apparently asked her to marry him (she doesn't remember because she blacked out). Kat cried, said yes, Gibson approved, and they planned to live happily ever after!

The Proposal

Our Story

Details

Photos

"Best friends are the bacon bits in the salad bowl of life!"Kat and Emily met in high school and have continued their friendship into college and their adult years. Because of the distance between them (Kat is in ATL and Emily is in NYC), they only get to see each other a few times a year. But every time they reunite, they pick right back up where they left off. Kat couldn't picture her wedding without her best friend Emily by her side!

Emily Shaw

Jason is Ryan's older brother and partner in crime since day one. Jason has always been there through thick and thin. Their childhood adventures began deep in the woods building forts, rappelling of cliffs, clearing hiking trails, and getting into their fair share of trouble. In high school they co-captained a nationally competitive paintball team and have navigated through a long series of adventures together.

Jason Belling

"There's no better friend than a sister, and there's no better sister than you!"Kat met Ali just a few seconds after coming out of the womb- she is her oldest sister! They have grown very close over the past few years since Kat moved back to Atlanta, and now they live just a mile down the road from each other. And this year Ali gave Kat the most amazing present ever- her first niece! Kat couldn't imagine getting married without her big sister by her side!

Ali Villalba

Don is the man who needs no introduction; he molded Ryan into the man he is today. His intelligence, determination, and heart have inspired Ryan to reach for the highest heights. Don made sure Ryan had the best pinewood derby car, built a full size medieval catapult for Boy Scouts, coached football and wrestling, and so much more. Don helped Ryan pursue his lifelong love for competitive paintball through long road trips, financial support, and acceptance of his passion. Some of Ryan's favorite memories are kayaking, backpacking, and skiing with his Dad; inspiring a love for the outdoors and alternative sports. 

Don Belling

Joe and Ryan are damn good dawgs who met as random roommates freshman year at the University of Georgia. They were unlikely friends because in each other's' eyes,  Joe was a cowboy boot wearing city slicker from international school and Ryan was a country boy paintballer from Suwanee. The rest is history as Ryan and Joe lived as roommates for three years. Since then they have pushed each other to attain MBA degrees from Georgia State and traveled all over including ski trips out west, Vegas, the Keys, and dozens of UGA football games.

Joe Thomas

"The best thing about having a sister was that I always had a friend!"Kat also met Danielle a few seconds after leaving the womb- she is her middle sister! Growing up so close in age, they have shared many experiences together. Some of the best times include stealing each others clothes and lying about it (I bet you're wearing a shirt of mine right now!) Danielle will be giving Kat another best present ever in November- another niece!- and making her an aunt for the second time! Kat stood next to Danielle when she married the love of her life last year- and in March Danielle will do the same for her!

Danielle Sadoti

Curtis and Ryan became bros on the middle school bus as one of Ryan's first friends after moving to Suwanee. They built a friendship through the trials and tribulations of a paintball team, countless ping pong battles, and Segway riding over the next few years before heading to the University of Georgia together. These next few years at UGA included many manly chest bumps, squash games, and a constant fear of the other attempting to head-butt the other in the stomach. Six years removed from college, not much has changed.

Curtis Stockwell

"You drink too much. You cuss too much. You have questionable morals. You're everything I've ever wanted in a friend!"Kat met Dana her junior year of college when they were selected to be random roommates. They have so many weird memories together that they had to start keeping a notebook of all of the funny things they did (Dana where is that notebook?). Some of the strangest and best times include laying all day on the pull-out sofa watching Bad Girls Club, spontaneous Mardi Gras trips, and daytime wine festivals. Kat is so happy to have Dana as part of her wedding!

Dana Odom

Miles and Ryan have been best friends ever since they had a competition to fall asleep with their eyes open in 7th grade science class. Miles won. Ryan and Miles were lined up side by side in middle school football before starting a paintball team together with Jason and Curtis. Miles and Ryan spent all of high school working together running the store at Maximum Paintball while participating in countless pranks and shenanigans while also trying to hold the business together. Other than Miles moving to Charleston for school, (and now Austin) the two have been inseparable friends and have worked at 6 different companies together.

Miles Drew

"Having those weird conversations with your friend and thinking if anyone heard us, we would be put in a mental hospital!"Melody came in to Kat's life at the same time as Dana. She was her other random roommate her junior year of college. Brookstone Apartments must have done something right- they have been extremely close ever since. Mel joined the roommates in lazy Bad Girls Club days and also used macaroni and cheese and her beautiful voice to lull a drunk Kat to sleep . Kat is so grateful for her friendship with Melody and is even more grateful to have her on this journey!

Melody Sobhani

Jose and Ryan are becoming brother-in-laws on March 3rd, but Jose has already been a guiding force in showing Ryan how to adult over the past few years; whether it be home ownership, career advice, or relationship advice with his sister-in-law. From party buses to cabin weekends and family escapades, they have become fast friends. 

Jose Villalba

"I hope we're friends until we die. And then I hope we stay ghost friends and walk through walls and scare the shit out of people."Laura and Kat first encountered each other in college. They met at a frat party and immediately bonded over taking shots together. As the years have progressed, so has their friendship. Now, they spend almost every weekend together looking at dog videos, going to music festivals, or drinking rose. Laura has been there for Kat through thick and thin, and she is so happy to have her stand by her side on her wedding day!

Laura Monsalvatge

"We'll be friends forever... you know too much already!"Kat and Laura met at recruitment her junior year in college. It was back in the day when Justin Beiber was relevant- they paired up over their mutual love for him and have been close ever since! The two have been through a lot together, and Kat couldn't be happier to have Laura be a part of her wedding!

Laura Lindsey

George and Ryan like beer, live music, dogs, and their beautiful ladies. When George isn't talking about trees or cutting down trees, Ryan and George do things and hang out. George may describe things in excruciating detail, but he is also an excruciatingly good friend and partner in crime.

George Dasovich

Senor Gibson

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

Travel

Delve into the fascinating undersea world of the Georgia Aquarium to encounter massive whale sharks, watch playful dolphins, and learn about the lives of beluga whales. With more than 100,000 marine animals in the largest aquarium in North America, there's no end to the undersea adventures that await your visit.
Sixty different habitats house everything from voracious piranhas and albino alligators in the River Scout gallery to jellyfish and moray eels in the Tropical Diver gallery. You can check out the only 4 resident whale sharks in North America, stroll through underwater tunnels to scope out the graceful motions of manta rays, or get up close to beluga whales and African penguins in exhibits dedicated to cold climate creatures.
When you're ready to take your experience to new levels, head to the 4-D theater for an immersive underwater adventure you have to see–and feel!–to believe, or stop off at the tide pools where you can touch the smooth shells of horseshoe crabs or the fuzzy legs of sea stars. Before you leave, don't forget to swing by the dolphin tank to watch and learn about the playful antics of bottlenose dolphins.

Georgia Aquarium Admission

Over 1,500 animals from around the world are waiting for you at Zoo Atlanta. Home to America's only twin giant pandas and the country's largest collection of gorillas and orangutans, Zoo Atlanta is an exciting animal encounter the whole family can enjoy.
Begin your day in the African Plains. Lions roar, elephants trumpet, and giraffes stride across native vegetation and grasslands alongside a rare and endangered black rhino.
In the Ford African Rain Forest, marvel at the large population of western lowland gorillas—more than 20 call the zoo home—and it has been a leading advocate of gorilla conservation. Make your way to the Asian Forest to see the zoo's most famous residents. Mei Lun and Mei Huan are the only 2 twin giant panda cubs in North America.
Feed the parakeets at Boundless Budgies, and check out carnivores like sun bears and tigers in Trader's Alley, where you can learn about the pressing international issue of the wildlife trade. Observe scaly, creepy, and crawly critters in the World of Reptiles, including a Guatemalan bearded lizard and a king cobra snake.
For smaller members of the family, the Australian petting zoo lets kids have a hands-on experience with Nubian goats and a Kunekune pig. Round out your visit by participating in 1 of the many keeper talks, where zookeepers inform and educate visitors about the animals in their care and the zoo's engagement in international conservation efforts.

Zoo Atlanta Admission

Taste what Atlanta has to offer as you hop to some of the city’s best breweries. With your passionate guide, traverse the streets of Atlanta and visit 3 breweries with their own distinct flavors. Try something new, broaden your horizons, and learn what goes into your favorite beers.
Since founding the tour in 2013, Justin Hall and Johnathan Oliver have been hard at work to bring the best of Atlanta’s craft beer world to locals and visitors. With a passion and dedication to craft beer excellence, this guided tour is the best way to get a taste of the craft breweries in the city.
Leave the driving to your guide as you sit back and relax on your way to visit several breweries. Without the hassle of waiting in line, this is the simplest way to go straight to the source of Atlanta's lively craft beer movement and taste several cold ones along the way.
Head to SweetWater Brewing where you are treated with a private tasting and tour followed by 2 more stops. At each place, enjoy 3 or 4 half-pint tasting of the best suds the brewery offers. End with a souvenir glass from each venue to remember your day of craft beer exploration and enjoy a new appreciation for your favorite brews.

Kat & Ryan

Kat & Ryan

K&R

Wedding Day

6:00 PM

Wedding

Reception