Our Story

Question

Erica

Answer

The best way to describe it is that we’ve known of each other's existence since kindergarten, but didn’t become friends until our sophomore year of high school. That year we had a few mutual friends, but Ryan was still very shy and quiet around me. It wasn’t until a friend’s birthday party that I realized Ryan was very kind, smart, and hilarious! Sometimes I would give Ryan a ride home after school and we would sit in his driveway for ages just chatting, then he would open the car door to exit but we would continue chatting, a few minutes later he would get out of the car (while still chatting), eventually close the door, and we’d talk through my open car window for a few more minutes because we never wanted the conversations to end! Throughout the early days of our relationship, I was always worried about what would happen when we ran out of things to talk about. Fast-forward 15 years later, we still keep each other up too late and linger in the car too long because we can’t stop talking! Ryan and I are each very different people than we were when we first started dating, but we’ve grown in a way that is still beautifully compatible with one another. Ryan is my dearest friend, my favorite travel buddy, and one of the most special people on this planet to me and I can't wait to see what the future holds for us!

Question

Ryan

Answer

My earliest memory of Erica is from our 1st Grade Recess when she was "Queen" of the girls. From that moment I have always thought of her as regal, beautiful, and someone who I'd be lucky to talk to. Even though we were in a small class with many crossover friend groups, I wasn't lucky until our Sophomore year when I found myself next to her in study hall. Much to my bewilderment I got her to talk to me and somehow even laugh at my jokes. After many months of courtship I finally asked her out and began the best adventure of my life. We navigated being apart through college, traveled together across Europe, moved in together first in Burlington, VT, and then to a strange new place called Philadelphia, until ultimately settling into our careers and lives in Seacoast New Hampshire. Although our love and commitment to each other was always strong, I knew we were settling in to a place we could call home and it was time to propose. I had first told Erica that I loved her by the ocean, so I took her to Jumbie Beach on St. John to pop the question with a ring that I designed by incorporating her favorite animal, the octopus. We had been together 13 years, but I was just as nervous to ask her to marry me as I was when I first asked her on a date. Nothing makes me happier than the idea of spending my life with someone as smart, beautiful, and funny as Erica and I cannot wait to celebrate with everyone we consider our family.

Question

Wedding Program

Answer

Entrance: Wedding Party Processional; Concerning Hobbits - Howard Shore Bridal Processional; Women of Ireland - Marc Streitenfield Readings: Marriage - Anonymous, read by Mary Odryszowski I Love You - Roy Croft, read by Brittany Betzer and Christine Snyder Davis The News Where I Am - Brian Bilston, read by Alice Williams Erica’s something old, something new….. Something Old: St John Bracelet Given to me in 2013 by my dad as part of a mother/daughters bracelets gift, it has rarely been off of my wrist since then! Something New: Travel ring Instead of a traditional wedding band, Ryan and I designed a “travel ring” to be worn in place of my engagement ring on our adventures. We chose aquamarine as the center stone to represent the tropical blue Caribbean waters and glacial blue ice that are the settings of some of our favorite memories as well as goals for future travels. It’s also Ryan’s birthstone! Something Borrowed: Hair Accessories My friend Christine has kindly lent me her decorative hairpins and combs, imbued with love from being worn on her own wedding day! Something Blue: Larimar necklace Larimar is a blue gemstone that comes from the Caribbean, I’ve bought myself a couple of pieces over the years and wear a Larimar necklace every day, but this necklace is extra special because it was given to me by my sister and parents particularly for my wedding! Signature Cocktails His: Old Fashioned Hers: The Last Word Ours: One Iron

Question

Schedule

Answer

3:00pm - Guests start to arrive at The Thompson Inn & Cyderhouse 3:30pm - Wedding Ceremony begins 4:00pm - Cocktail Hour Please enjoy Hors d'Oeuvres, Oysters, and other Libations on the beautiful Cyderhouse grounds! There will be some of our favorite lawn games available to play. 4:45pm - Family Photos While we have a professional photographer, we'd love to have family photos with the Williams Cousins, the Schmuckal Cousins, the full Williams Family, and the Schmuckal Family 5:45pm - Guests asked to find their seats in the Cyderhouse for dinner! 6:00pm - Dinner & Reception begins 6:30pm - Speeches 7:30pm - Parent Dances & Dance Floor Opens! 10:00pm - Reception ends. Wedding Party will be taking a shuttle to Portsmouth for bar hopping, you are welcome to join us! 1:00am - Shuttle returns to The Thompson Inn