How did you meet? How did you propose?
Rachel had lived in NYC for 8 years prior to moving back to Columbus. She said she had to move back in order to meet me. Rachel and I met on match.com. She reluctantly agreed to meet me for a drink and conversation since I hadn’t booked the date in advance and contacted her around 8pm on a Saturday night. Our first date was on Feb 2nd, 2014 (Groundhogs Day). We met at a small, noisy bar near both of our homes even though we couldn’t understand what each other was saying due to the loud crowd we knew there was chemistry. To tell you the truth I had a date with another person earlier in the day which didn’t go so well so that is why I decided to call Rachel…what can I say I was saving the best for last. I am not sure she saw it that way when I first told her of this occurance on our 1 year dating anniversary but it makes for a great story.

I wanted to plan something unforgetable for a proposal. Rachel is a die hard Ohio State football fan and I knew she would love receiving “the rock” on the 50 yard line. She said yes and we got engaged at the Ohio State Stadium on New Years Day 2015. This memory is forever captured on video and was on the evening news as my buddy called up Chanel 10 in Columbus to tell them that he had an exciting New Year engagement story. Channel 10 was thrilled to cover the event and even hid out of sight for most of the proposal. They even wanted to mic me beforehand but I wantd to keep some of the details private. They captured all of the proposal and interviewed both of us afterward which was exciting and memorable. I suprised her again with a party full of family and close friends to celebrate. We even watched our engagement airing on the 11 o clock news. Rachel’s ring was designed by Adco Diamond in Boston, MA. Ryan’s ring was white tungsten with elegant but simple design.

Tell us about the dress:
The overall look needed to make a statement and on my wedding day  nothing says bride quite like Vera Wang. The Vera Wang Kathleen -Ivory Strapless mermaid gown with a hand-draped bodice and inverted ange skirt. The wild artistry of the base of the skirt contrast so delicoiusly with the upper part of the gown made of silk, chiffon and tulle with a hand made crystal clasp belt creating a seductive outline. The veil was a horsehair cathedral length.

Describe the grooms look:
The groom bought a Vera Wang Black Tuxedo custome tailored  that he wore with suspenders and a bowtie. He had bullet cufflinks made for him and his groomsmen and he wore black Del Toro shoes with a red stipe down the back.

Describe the bridesmaid look:
The bridesmaids all selected their own complementaty style gown from the Jim Hjelm collection some in blush and some in rose. Their look was modern, glamorous and angelic in long owing chiffon gowns. All of them had crystal belts or broaches with dangling crystal earrings. There hair was done in loose curls and they carried bouquet of white peonies.

Tell us about the location:
The grand black tie ceremony took place at the Ohio Statehouse in the Rotunda. We chose to have the ceremony and reception at the same venue to help make the day seamless but also for the breathtaking scenery inside this historic building.