Q&A with PB Rewards Winners Stephanie & Ryan

Twice a year, we team up with local vendors to treat lucky brides and grooms to Premier Bride Rewards! The rewards range from luxury hotel stays to unique group experiences to the chance to be a model in a wedding fashion shoot. This year as a part of our Premier Bride Rewards, we’re shining a spotlight on a few local brides and their stories.

Today, meet Stephanie and Ryan! We asked Stephanie some questions about her and Ryan’s engagement and wedding. Here’s how their love story unfolds:

Where are you both from?
I’m from South Milwaukee and Ryan is from Sussex.

How did you two meet?
We had both dabbled in the world of online dating, neither finding success. However, we had both heard good stories from loved ones about the site Coffee Meets Bagel. Around the exact same time, we each decided to join the site and give it a go. We found each other only a day or two after being on the site.

How did Ryan pop the question?
We crossed the pond and landed in Dublin for a week of exploring Ireland. On the third day of the trip, we made it to the Cliffs of Moher. After about 40 minutes of walking the edge of the cliffs, I asked a stranger to take our photo. Ryan knew I would do this because I always do! As soon as they took the first shot, Ryan reached into his pocket, grabbed the ring, and got down on one knee. The moment was such a blur! But the woman who took the picture did a fantastic job, in spite of the fact she was crying. The amazing thing was, she and her husband were there on their 27th wedding anniversary.

Tell us about the season and style of your wedding!
We had a summer wedding in late August. The style was pretty, fun, rustic, and timeless, with colors of neutrals, greenery, and dusty blues.

Where did you host the ceremony and reception?
Both outdoors at Vintage Fields at Farmin’ Betty’s.

What were your favorite things about your ceremony?
Ryan’s Uncle Ron officiated our wedding, which truly meant the world to us. I had both my parents walk me down the aisle. We had our English Cream Golden Retriever pup, Bentley, be our ring bearer. Since we got engaged in Ireland, we did a whiskey unity barrel using an Irish honey liquor and whiskey. Having it outside was amazing!

What were your favorite things about your reception?
We had our dinner and speeches inside the barn, then moved outside to let guests get ice cream for dessert. We also had an outdoor bar. We loved having all the dancing outside under the stars and twinkling lights.

Tell us about the food, drinks, and dessert!
For food, we had a taco truck serving signature tacos and Mexican corn. We had two signature cocktails: margaritas and brandy old fashioneds, along with beer, wine, and soda. The margaritas were to go with the tacos we served at dinner, and the old fashioned were perfect for a Wisconsin wedding. For dessert, we had cake and an ice cream cart. The ice cream was my must-have for the wedding — I’m obsessed!

Did you do any DIY projects?
Yes! Almost everything was done by myself and my mom, dad, mother-in-law, bridesmaids, and matrons of honor (I had two). My dad made all the table number card holders and the wine rack for our guest book. My mom and I made my hairpiece together. One of my bridesmaids, one of my matrons of honor, and I created all the signs that were in the wedding. I hand-wrote each name card that was written on magnolia leaves and displayed with string across two vintage ladders.

Did you take a honeymoon?
We took a mini-moon to Door County, and at the end of February we went to Italy and Greece — two places that we can check off our bucket list.

What’s your best advice for couples who are wedding planning?
You don’t have to follow those wedding checklists you see everywhere online. Do your own thing and quit worrying about what everyone else is doing. We only had a four-month engagement and didn’t follow any checklist. It can be done in any timeframe!

Congratulations to Stephanie and Ryan on their wedding and being a Premier Bride Rewards winner! Special thanks to our Premier Bride partners who helped make their day a special one: Dress shops Amelishan and Savvy Bride.