The Ryland Inn

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Reception

Cocktail Hour

Our Wedding

Samantha: Funny enough, we first met on a dating app many years back. I was newly single after a veryyyy long relationship and he was just starting the fire department academy. We talked a little through text but it fizzled out pretty quickly and we never met up for a formal date. Fast forward a couple of years to February 8, 2021 when we met again on a different dating app. I thought he looked familiar but when we eventually started texting off the app all of our previous texts came up (I don’t delete any of my texts!). Now, we realize that meeting twice was fate because when we met the first time around we were in completely different points of our lives and we both feel it probably wouldn’t have ever worked out.&nbsp; After nearly a month and a few failed attempts at meeting up for our first date we finally met at Tommy’s on March 3rd. I can still remember the outfits we both wore, where we sat, and what the conversation was like. When the waitress came to take our drink order I ordered a vodka club and he said he would do the same. She asked if we wanted doubles and we both looked at each other and said yes at the same time. I knew he was the one from that moment, haha (although side note- we both now switched to tequila). Our date was effortless, conversation flowed, and we stayed until they closed. When walking back to our cars we had our first kiss in the parking lot. They say “when you know, you know” and I don’t know how to describe it but I knew something felt&nbsp;very&nbsp;right that night. From that moment on we were inseparable and the rest is history!

Cameron: It all started with a first date at Tommy’s Tavern, where I did most of the talking. From the beginning, conversation came easily and laughter was frequent. Even with the usual first-date nerves, it felt like we had known each other forever. That night sparked something special — a connection that only grew stronger as we navigated the busy and often stressful worlds of being a firefighter and a nurse. Despite long shifts, unpredictable schedules, and the demands of our jobs, we’ve always made it work. Our shared sense of humor, along with a date night dinner or a weekend getaway, has kept us grounded no matter what life throws our way. Our love for adventure and travel has taken us to some incredible places around the world. From the cliffs of Santorini and Mykonos to the beautiful scenery of Florence and Venice, we’ve been lucky to explore the world hand in hand. We even recently found time to wander the red rocks of Page and Sedona, Arizona. Traveling together showed us early on that we make the perfect team — whether navigating foreign cities, trying new foods, or finding hidden spots we've made our story from these amazing memories. Today, some of our best dates are a little closer to home. One of our favorite things to do is grab a table at Misi in Brooklyn — a cozy, pasta-filled spot we can never seem to get enough of. Whether we’re planning our next big adventure or just sharing a simple meal together, we’re happiest when we’re side by side, always laughing, always ready for the next chapter of our lives together.

Our Story

August 27, 2024

We had been planning to go to Maine for some time (we love traveling to and exploring new places). We planned our trip and the first stop for a few nights was Bar Harbor, Maine. We had spent the day exploring the town—we started with some blueberry pancakes, went hiking, got some drinks near the water, and walked along the shore path. At night we had plans to go to a fancy dinner and Cameron mentioned a spot he heard about that was nice to watch the sunset from. Samantha, of course, was down to check it out because she never turns down a good photo opportunity. While we were getting ready in the room Samantha noticed that Cameron seemed a bit nervous but didn’t think too much of it. She later found out that he was just trying to figure out the perfect time and place to hide the ring in his pants. When we got to the spot Cameron got down on one knee and proposed (we both slightly blacked out and don’t remember much of what he said lol). The moment was perfect and Cameron had set up a photographer to be there to capture it all. It was one of the best days of our lives!

The Proposal

We are so grateful to be surrounded by an incredible group of family and friends as we get ready to say “I do.” Our wedding party is made up of just a few of the people who have supported and loved us along the way. We are beyond excited to celebrate our wedding with all of you who mean so much to us!

Stacey Salony

Kristina Nolan

Emanuele Padilha de Matos

Amanda Buzolich

Robert Brancato

Brandon vanMaanen

Michael Lucchesi

Michael Gigante

Thomas Nolan

Wedding Party

Dress Code

Q + A

For your convenience, a block of rooms has been reserved at Hyatt House Branchburg/Bridgewater. Shuttle transportation will be provided to/from the Ryland Inn for our hotel guests. The hotel is approximately 8 mins from the Ryland Inn. Check in: 4pm (early check in will be accommodated)Check out: 11am. Join us for breakfast before you leave! (7-10am) Direct booking link: <a href="https://www.hyatt.com/shop/erwxa?location=Hyatt%20House%20Branchburg&amp;checkinDate=2026-03-26&amp;checkoutDate=2026-03-28&amp;rooms=1&amp;adults=1&amp;kids=0&amp;corp_id=G-SVCN" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VanMaanen and Nolan</a>If booking over phone: Mention VanMaanen and Nolan wedding or use group code G-SVCN **The discounted room rate is available until 3/1/2026.**FYI: There are two Hyatt Houses located in that area. Please ensure you are booking the correct one using the information above!

Samantha & Cameron

Samantha & Cameron

Hotel

Hyatt House Branchburg / Bridgewater