Ryan & Aly’s Timeless Carriage Club Wedding was the perfect start to the couple’s happily ever after.

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Ceremony Venue: St. John’s United Methodist     Reception Venue: Carriage Club      Photographer: Andrea Nigh Photography      Wedding Planner: Celebrations of Love      Wedding Gown: Belle Vogue Bridal      Menswear: Men’s Wearhouse      Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid      Hair: Shannon Bryan & Jen Williams     Invitations: Little Yellow Leaf      Videography: 38 Films     Makeup: Jolie Artistry     Florist: KP Floral Event Design     Band: Alan Manning & The Yellow Brick Road      Cake: Classic Cakes


Ryan & Aly’s Love Story:

Ryan and I met our sophomore year at The University of Kansas. Mutual friends introduced us while out in Lawrence. After talking we figured out that we lived right next door to each other in our fraternity and sorority houses, and we even had a class together! Ryan and I started walking to campus, attending each other’s Alpha Chi Omega and Theta Chi functions and began spending more and more time together. After a month of hanging out on the weekends, getting late night snacks, and going on some spontaneous adventures, my feelings for Ryan kept growing. Being the talker, I simply asked Ryan if he felt like we should be a couple. To my relief, he had the same feelings towards me, and we have been together ever since!

What surprised me about my new found love was how different Ryan and I can be, but at the same time how truly similar we are. I fell in love with Ryan after the first few months of dating. I knew he was someone that would help me become the best version of myself every day, encourage me through hard times, and make me laugh about the joys and little pleasures in life. I fell in love with the most original and genuine person I’ve ever met. After three months of dating, Ryan told me he loved me, and I had never been happier! We continued dating while attending to KU and after graduation. Ryan and I dated for almost four years before he popped the question.

Over winter breaks in college, Ryan and I had vacationed in Dana Point, CA. It soon turned into “our place.” Each time we traveled to Dana Point we stayed at the same hotel, enjoyed whale watching, trying new and different restaurants, and taking in the views of the Pacific. After our first year of working after graduation, Ryan suggested that we go back to “our place.” Ryan and I traveled to Dana Point in late May 2015. We were staying for five days, and on the third day, something was a little different than usual. Ryan was acting distant and not wanting to do much that day. I thought to myself that he might just be tired. He suggested that we go watch the sunset and insisted that we walk to this grassy area that looked over the Pacific Ocean, to really take in the views.

I was sitting on a ledge looking at the water when Ryan got down on one knee! It didn’t seem like real life, and I will never forget that moment, and how many emotions I had. My immediate reaction was to say “yes!” I hugged and kissed him while getting a little teary-eyed. We now call that grassy area looking over the water “our spot.”

I was ready to start planning right after we got home from California! We were a bit overwhelmed thinking about all of the details, so we decided to start the search for a wedding planner. Once we found Christine, it was smooth sailing from there on out! The theme we sought after for our wedding was romantic, timeless and elegant. Ryan and I wanted to be able to look back at our pictures and videos ten years from now and feel like the wedding could have happened yesterday. Our wedding day and night came and went faster than any other night in our lives, but it is a night we will never forget.

A Few Special Pieces

We displayed an ancestor board with photos from Ryan and I’s family. It included photos from our parent’s, grandparent’s, and great-grandparents’ wedding. It was a special touch that many of our family and friends enjoyed!

My grandmother, Patty, made garters for each granddaughter out of her own bridal gown. I was so excited to be able to wear mine and felt like she was with us on our big day.

The Groom’s Favorite Part of the Day

One of my favorite memories from our wedding was our “first look”. We had not seen each other since the rehearsal dinner and did not talk much while getting ready, so I was anxious to finally see her! Aly took my breath away! I loved seeing her in her stunning dress. She made me feel like the luckiest man in the world.

The Bride’s Favorite Part of the Day

It’s hard to pick one memory, but one of my favorite parts of our wedding day was right after we had our grand exit leaving the church. We popped a bottle of champagne, and Ryan and I got to share our first husband and wife moment alone. We had time to share our first feelings and take a breath before the festivities began, as we rode around in a classic car!

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