Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Wedding DaySaturday, September 10th, 20225:00 pmAttire: Cocktail Attire Ceremony + ReceptionThe Magnolia Venue1120 Eagle Pointe WayPigeon Forge, TN 37863

Shuttle Schedule

Shuttle Schedule – Two ShuttlesShuttle #1 T. Daugherty3:15pm -&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SpringHill Suites – 10-14 guests&nbsp;3:45pm -&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Begin continuous service from Smoky Mtn Zipline 509 Mill Creek Rd&nbsp;4:45pm -&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Last guest run prior to ceremony&nbsp; ﻿Shuttle #2 M. Daugherty3:15pm -&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;SpringHill Suites – 10-14 guests&nbsp;4:10pm -&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Dreammore Resort – 10-14 guests&nbsp;4:45pm -&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Smoky Mtn Zipline – Last guests run prior to ceremony&nbsp;Remain on site and available throughout the eveningBegin Full Loads only at 10:00pm

Our Wedding

We both travelled seperately to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil for the FIFA World Cup in 2014. Mary went by herself and Ryan went with a group of friends, and everyone ended up staying at Books Hostel (lots of bias here, but it's the best hostel in the world). We spent a week watching soccer matches, exploring Rio, drinking caipirinhas, and basically having the best vacation ever.

After the World Cup we went back to our respective states but stayed in touch. We texted almost daily for 4 months but never made plans to visit one another. Then, as chance would have it, Ryan was sent up to Fishkill, NY for work. For some reason he decided he'd prefer to spend the weekend in Philadelphia rather than Fishkill, and we got another weekend of fun. We spent a few days eating cheesesteaks, showing off the Philly sights, and playing endless games of Mario Kart on Nintendo 64. (Mary won most of them, no matter what Ryan tells you)

After that first weekend we decided we should visit each other occasionally. Ryan came back up to Philly to go to a local museum's Lego exhibit, and Mary went down to Greenville a few weeks later for an Elton John concert. We decided trying long distance was wortha shot, and before you know it our occasional visits were every other weekend. We went on vacations together, met each others' families, and after a year were talking about moving in together.

After being promised a puppy, Mary moved down to Greenville. (It was definitely just because of the dog). 3 years, and a new house later, Ryan got a job in Knoxville, TN and we moved together. We quarantined together through the pandemic, and after months of being stuck in a house together, Ryan decided that he could do that forever. He proposed in Cabo San Lucas in the summer of 2020.

We decided to wait until late 2022 to get married in the hopes the pandemic would have subsided enough to celebrate in person. However we got too excited to start our lives as husband and wife and ended up eloping on September 10th 2021. We are so excited to spend our first anniversary having the celebration we envisioned with all of our loved ones!

Our Story

Photos

Maid of Honor: Toni Jean Demaree Human ray of sunshine. Mary's college roommate and perpetual moral compass. Will destroy everyone on the dance floor.

Bridesmaid: Runqiu Cai The bunny from Monty Python and the Holy grail (adorable but has teeth). Mary's high school friend and fellow adventurer. Mother to GSD Heidi and hiker of mountains.

Bridesmaid: Georgia Orfanou Sarcasm incarnate. Mary's college friend and source of sanity. Giver of advice and provider of laughter.

Best Man: Michael Berndt Not happy unless he's going Mach 2 with his hair on fire. Ryan's younger brother and dangerous. Can be my wingman anytime.

Groomsman: Stephen Berndt Dropper of truth bombs. Ryan's older brother and fellow Texas escapee. Used to bury Ryan in the couch and sit on him, so you can blame him for Ryan's weirdness.

Groomsman: Scott Klovans Goofy ball of southern charm. Ryans brother from another mother and bestie since birth. Never met a bourbon he didn't like.

Wedding Party

Q + A

If you are flying in to celebrate with us, we recommend flying into McGhee Tyson Airport and renting a car. This is the closest airport to Pigeon Forge and about a 1-hour drive.

McGhee Tyson Airport

When you call to make the reservation all you need to do is give the dates you are coming and specify that you are with the Berndt Bednar Wedding. The code for the wedding block is BBWS. You can give that code as well but the easiest way is to give the name of the wedding and the dates that you need!

SpringHill Suites by Marriott Pigeon Forge

Travel

Exploring Pigeon Forge, Tennessee

Hiking Trails

Clingman’s Dome TrailRound trip distance: 1 mileThis stunning trail has the highest point in the Smokies, 360 Mountain Views! Chimney Tops TrailRound trip distance: 3.8 milesWith a round-trip distance of fewer than 4 miles, the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cabinsusa.com/smoky-mountains-information/post/0/15/102/chimney-tops-smoky-mountains.php" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chimney Tops Trail</a>&nbsp;is one of the shortest hikes with a view in the Smokies. On your way to the Chimney Tops, you'll get to explore lovely, high elevation creeks and unique ecology along the exposed mountain ridge! Charlie's BunionRound trip distance: 8.1 milesViews of the Tennessee Valley and a large rock outcropping. This impressive overlook along the Appalachian Trail is located near the Jump Off. These two hikes can be incorporated together by adding a few miles to your round-trip hiking distance. Cades CoveAn 11-mile, one-way loop road circles the cove, offering motorists the opportunity to sightsee at a leisurely pace. Allow at least two to four hours to tour Cades Cove, longer if you walk some of the area's trails. If you are looking to drive and stop to enjoy the beautiful view then check out Cades Cove!

Fun Activities 

Ole Smoky Barn

Sugarlands Distilling Company

At Dollywood, they celebrate the best of life as we light up the Smokies with rides, slides, music, food, and laughter - day and night. Offering more than 40 world-class rides, high-energy entertainment, award-winning dining, and the friendliest park atmosphere in the world!

Dollywood

HUGE Titanic fan?? It is the largest permanent Titanic museum in the world. The structure is built in a pool to create the illusion of the Titanic at sea, and the 2-hour, self-guided tour is designed to give guests the sensation of being an original passenger on the Titanic's 1912 maiden voyage.

Titanic Museum Attraction

The museum gives a behind-the-scenes look at crime history in America. Alcatraz East includes interactive displays and artifacts that cover criminal intent, criminal profiles, the penal system, victims' stories, law enforcement, crime prevention, forensic science, and the US justice system.&nbsp;

Alcatraz East Crime Museum

The longest coaster in East Tennessee! Join us for over 9 minutes of twists, turns, tunnels, and maybe even some unexpected surprises along the way!

Mary & Ryan

Mary & Ryan

Photos