Bridal Shower Brunch - TBD Location

Groom's Shower Brunch - TBD Location

Lake Quivira Country Club

Rehearsal Run

Crosser House

Post Rehearsal Party - TBD Location

Wedding Day

Cocktails & hors D'oeuvres - Patio

Formal Ceremony - Patio

Reception & Dinner - Ballroom

Our Wedding

I was in California pursuing my dream of becoming a chef after finishing my time in the army when I stumbled across Jessica's profile on Hinge and I was immediately hooked. Jessica was clearly vivacious, talented, and beautiful. When we matched, I wasted no time pulling out the "I will come over and cook" card. She insisted that first, we have a FaceTime date to ensure I wasn’t a serial killer. I got the clearance for a real-life meeting soon after, and our first COVID-inspired date went well. Things took their time developing and we saw each other about once a week in the beginning.&nbsp; It wasn't until late February after a string of Napa wining&nbsp;and dining dates that I realized - I had found my fellow Foodie for Life. I slowly began to realize that we aligned in all the ways that mattered and shared a strikingly&nbsp;similar outlook and perspective on life. When my fun culinary school stint ended in April of 2021, I had a decision to make: move back to Kansas, or stay in California. &nbsp;In truth, I had already put a down payment on an apartment back in Kansas. Jessica was reluctant to tell me to stay since it had only been 4 months of unofficially dating, but I knew she wanted me to. Even though our relationship was still young, I knew in my heart something was there and I needed to see it through. Serendipitously, I received a job offer the day before leaving at Bouchon Bistro in Yountville. Jessica wasted no time helping me find a new apartment in Napa, bringing a check to my landlord as a down payment while I was settling my affairs in Kansas.&nbsp; &nbsp;During my time at Bouchon, Jessica was an absolute saint, dealing with my horrendous schedule, my constant "restaurant smells" and my persistent&nbsp;fatigue. In Jessica, I found my respite - a confidant, a tender lover, a smart and open-minded conversationalist. I could talk with Jessica about anything and be my 100% normal and true self. And she loved me for it.&nbsp; &nbsp;There was never a single moment where "I knew", but rather an overwhelming mass of signs that eventually became too large and strong to ignore - I was going to marry this woman, and I could no longer deny it. In committing to this woman, I would also become a stepfather to an abundantly spirited 18 month old Shiba Inu named Leo. We became official in May of 2021 and I proposed 9 months later. &nbsp;Jessica and I both say, "when you know, you know" and even if we didn't know everything about each other, we knew we would have a lifetime to figure it out.&nbsp; &nbsp;With my brother Nate's help, I arranged my proposal at Storybook Winery in Calistoga. Piggybacking on Jessica’s 30th&nbsp;birthday - February 10th - would provide the adequate diversion to my plans, I thought. When&nbsp;Jessica and I showed up to the vineyard we were greeted by Rick, the owner of the property. He told us we would have the whole winery to ourselves essentially, except for a gentleman from Southern California who would be joining us on our tour to take pictures for his "catalogue". &nbsp;Naturally, this did not fool my exceedingly clever Jessica in the slightest, but she was a good sport and played along. She was more quiet than usual as we walked through the vines of Zinfandel and Cabernet, while the wind was gentle and the sun bright. It was the most beautiful&nbsp;day of the year, and I knew that a higher power was blessing my actions on this day. As we reached the zenith of the vineyard, I asked Rick if this was the "most beautiful&nbsp;spot on the property". &nbsp;He smiled and said all the spots were beautiful, but this would be "a good spot indeed". I asked Rick if he could give me and Jessica a moment. He smiled and told me to take my time, and walked down to the main building. Jessica and I were now alone - save for Sebastian, my not very incognito&nbsp;photographer who stayed behind as Rick walked away. I walked over to Jessica and set her things aside before clasping her hands.&nbsp; &nbsp;You think you'll never forget moments like this, and in truth you may forget what you said or the exactness of the response, but you'll never forget how you felt. As I proposed, I realized I was surrendering&nbsp;my body and soul to this woman. I would soon have a sacred duty to honor, protect, and love her. She cried (and I did too) (and even our photographer Sebastian), and replied that she would be my partner for life.&nbsp; &nbsp;Jessica and I have been blessed with incredibly fortunate and diverse lives up to meeting each other. We were complete before we met, but somehow in finding each other, we found a shared new purpose. We both enter this new stage of our lives with clear eyes and full hearts. We know there will be trials and tribulations, but we will never quit on each other.

When Ryan Met Jessica

Our Story

Proposal

Courtship

Pictures

Nate Crosser

Margaret Zhang

Jon-Duey Grissom

Yifan Xu

Sam Adams

Gigi Nickerson

Wedding Party

Q + A

Please find our Crosser/Zhang Wedding hotel block group link below. The bride and groom will stay here on Saturday night after the wedding if you wish to afterparty with us. The default $159 room is a king bed with a pullout sofa bed. There are also a limited amount of $169 double queen rooms available. Crosser/Zhang Wedding hotel block group link:https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1652456726362&amp;key=GRP&amp;app=resvlink Please ensure you choose the right dates!-Guests should arrive anytime Friday or early Saturday.-Bride and groom's main party should arrive Thursday. If you have to fly in Saturday morning, please call the hotel to let them know you are arriving before 4pm check in and ask if they are able to accommodate. *Last day to book deadline is Monday - August 22, 2022* If you are getting an error that there are no more rooms available, please contact the bride or groom and we will call to add more rooms. This hotel is ideally situated 20 minutes from MCI airport and 15 minutes from the wedding festivities at Lake Quivira. It provides:-complimentary on-site parking-free coffee/tea in lobby-indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center-complimentary parking and breakfast (Thurs/Fri 6:30am-9am and Sat/Sun 7am-9:30am) If you have free time, you can enjoy the Kansas City Legends outdoor shopping and entertainment center right across the parking lot. Transportation from the hotel to Lake Quivira Country Club will be provided on the wedding day. More details to come soon. There are many other hotels in the area in case the room block fills up.

Residence Inn by Marriott Kansas City at The Legends

Travel

Kansas City, Kansas is known for their famous barbeque, so if you arrive early, look up some food spots!

Things to Do

Registry

Ryan & Jessica

Ryan & Jessica

Q + A

RSVP deadline?

Can I bring a +1?

Best way from MCI airport to the recommended group hotel lodging (check Travel tab)?

Dress code?

Is there parking?

Weather in late September?

Can we take pictures and videos?