Ryan and Gabrielle met serendipitously in early 2020. The summer prior, Gabrielle had interned at Fanatics before returning to South Carolina for her final semester. Just a few weeks after she left, Ryan started working there, so the two unknowingly missed each other by only a matter of weeks.

One Friday night, after Gabrielle had returned to Jacksonville and started working at Fanatics full time, they both happened to find themselves out at the Jacksonville Beach bars. Ryan followed his friend Sam into Hoptinger, where Gabrielle and her friends were hanging out. Gabrielle's friend Katie recognized Ryan from work and, being the ultimate wing woman, tapped him on the shoulder and introduced the two. They spent the rest of the night laughing and getting to know each other, eventually ending up at late night Waffle House. Ryan still didn't ask for Gabrielle's number, but luckily, he knew where she worked. Rather than simply walking by her desk, he opted for a more original approach: sending what may be one of LinkedIn's most successful messages.

Not long after, they went on their first date at North Beach Fish Camp. Ryan had picked the perfect spot—he just overlooked one small detail: making a reservation. Luckily, they found two seats at the bar, and the forgotten reservation has since become a favorite inside joke between the two of them.

They officially started dating in March 2020, just before the world shut down.

Today, Ryan and Gabrielle live together in Jacksonville with their black lab, Mac, and both still work at Fanatics—now on the same team. When they're not working, you can usually find them at the beach collecting shark teeth or reading, taking Mac on bike rides, playing tennis or pickleball, cheering on the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp, or attempting to keep their ever-growing collection of plants alive.

In 2025, Ryan proposed at one of their favorite places—the beach in Amelia Island—proving that while reservations may not be his specialty, planning the perfect proposal certainly is. They can't wait to celebrate this next chapter with all of their favorite people in November!

Mac is a big part of our story. He won't be attending the wedding, but here are some photos of our best friend.

The closest airport is Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), about 30 minutes from Ponte Vedra Beach — we'd suggest flying in and out of there.

Hotel blocks will be available starting November 2026 — please check back then for details. In the meantime, here's what early November feels like on this stretch of coast.

Making a weekend of it? Here's where you'll actually find us around Ponte Vedra and the Jacksonville beaches — our go-to spots for eating, drinking, and soaking up the coast.