Dani and Ryan’s Silver Oaks Chateau wedding was a testament to their love and their families. Their love for each other was the star, but it was also so evident how much they loved each and every one of their guests. Read on to learn more about this gorgeous couple and their big day.
One Gym, Two Hearts
Dani and Ryan met at their CrossFit gym in Cleveland. These two fitness buffs met when Dani was new to the city attending physical therapy school and Ryan was working as a pharmacist at the Cleveland Clinic. One day, after a workout, Dani and Ryan joined some friends for brunch, and the rest was history! After that, they began hanging out more, sticking around after workouts, and going on dates.
Five Years
Five years – well, actually 5+. That’s how long Dani and Ryan have been together prior to their Silver Oaks Chateau wedding. But their long-lasting love started with their first date. After winter break, Dani flew in to Cleveland and Ryan offered to pick her up at the airport. When he got there, he asked if she was hungry. She was, and they headed to Johnny’s Little Bar, which was right around the block from her downtown loft. She never knew it was there, but now she calls it their “hidden gem in Cleveland!”
One Proposal, Two Parts
Dani and Ryan’s proposal story just cracks me up! It’s so good that it deserves to be in two parts.
Part One
Every year, Dani and Ryan go on a ski trip with their friends. In early 2019, Dani had just graduated physical therapy school and taken the license exam. The ski trip was immediately after, so she could relax and enjoy life a little. They met up with Ryan’s college buddies in Breckenridge and all the guys did this skit for Valentines Day where they got down on one knee and pretended to be contestants on the Bachelor. One of the single guys was even the host/Chris Harrison. Dani got so nervous thinking Ryan was going to propose in front of everyone that she panicked and put an ottoman down so he couldn’t get down on one knee. But little did she know he wasn’t proposing that night.
Part Two
After Breckenridge, Dani and Ryan flew to Heavenly in Lake Tahoe to meet up with friends they met in Cleveland who had all moved. Dani and Ryan shared suitcases on this trip, and some of her things were in his bag. Dani was searching for something in the bag and found an envelope with their friend’s jewelry company name on it and she could see there was a small box inside. She didn’t open it up – she said she was afraid of bad luck because what if it wasn’t a ring! She freaked out texting all her closest friends and family (who all played dumb) including my girlfriend who was with me in Heavenly.
Then, a few days went by without a proposal. There’s a classic spot on Heavenly where you can see the entire mountain and the lake. So of course, the group stopped and took some photos, even some couples photos. Without having seen how the pictures turned out, Ryan asked to take another one of just the two of them. As they are posing for the photo, he gets down on one knee and tells her how she is his person and he wants to be with her forever. She said yes, but he couldn’t hear her through her helmet and gear so she started nodding her head up and down. Right after he put the ring on, she told him about finding the ring and he fell backwards. Everyone started laughing, they took more photos, and everyone skiing/snowboarding past them congratulated them.
In Their Own Words
I love asking my couples to describe themselves and their relationship. This is Dani and Ryan’s answers, in their own words.
EB: “How would you describe your relationship?”
Dani and Ryan: “Carefree, supportive, genuine, happy, adventurous, fun, real”
EB: “What do you love most about each other?”
Dani and Ryan: “We accept each other for who we are, support each other’s dreams and wants, and we bring out the best in each other.”
One Couple, Two Dates
Dani and Ryan have two different types of favorite dates. Their most frequent (and, according to Dani, probably laziest) is staying in to watch a good show. Dani loves guilty pleasure reality options like Love Island and the Bachelor. They love to order sushi and hang out with their two dogs. Their favorite weekend night kind of date is trying a new restaurant, seeing a show/concert, and walking around downtown and meeting up with some friends!
One Marriage, Two Weddings
If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times. I LOVE when a couple injects personality into their wedding. Whether it’s a custom groom’s cake or a tribute to a missing family member, weddings that incorporate things that are special to the couple are without a doubt my favorite. Dani and Ryan’s Silver Oaks Chateau wedding was so indicative of this. Dani and Ryan’s number 1 goal with the wedding was “being 100% us and having all of our friends/family who’ve helped shape us be there/around us.” And I think they pulled that off!
One of the ways they did this was to have a pre-wedding wedding. Interesting, right?! Dani’s father passed away and is buried at her family farm. She always planned on him being there for her wedding day, so she made it happen with an intimate ceremony the day before their big wedding. Dani and Ryan were married right there in the barn and it was SO special.
Seven Blessings
Another way in which Dani and Ryan incorporated their family into their Silver Oaks Chateau wedding is a 7 blessings ceremony. During this portion of the wedding, they had 7 different family members come up to read. They also chose to light a unity candle, symbolizing the merging of their two families and their lives.
30 Seconds
It was so clear how much family means to this couple. As I mentioned, Dani’s father passed away, leaving a hole in the reception where the traditional father/daughter dance would be. Because of this, Dani danced with the four most influential men in her life, for 30 seconds each. This was such a special moment to witness, and the perfect way to honor the men in her life.
After their Silver Oaks Chateau wedding, Dani and Ryan headed off to a relaxing honeymoon in St. Lucia. How fun! Thank you, Dani and Ryan, for incorporating me into such a special day! It was beautiful and heartfelt, and I am so grateful!
Silver Oaks Chateau Wedding – Vendor Love
Photographer: Emily Broadbent Photography | Venue: Silver Oaks Chateau | Florals: Crystal Bridgewater Richter | Catering: Callier’s Catering | Cake: Sarah’s Cake Shop | Invitation Suite: The Knot | Beauty: Libby’s Blowtique | Bridal Gown: Zavana Bridal | Bridal Shop: Signature Bridal | Groom/Groomsmen Attire: Men’s Wearhouse| Bridesmaid Attire: Dessy | Musician/DJ: Rick Paul | Shoes: Steven Madden|
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