Danielle Van Ryen & Scott Wheaton

Welcome to our wedding website! We're so excited to celebrate our marriage with you!
Find all the details you need to know about our big day here along with special moments from our relationship.

Our Story

It was 2017 when our love story first began. With a match rate of 95% on Match.com and a message Scott sent me that evoked great curiosity and intrigue, our fairy tale began!

Our first date was filled with bonding over our shared interest in pirates, love of animals, favorite drink (Dark 'n Stormy), and similar shoulder surgeries. We didn't want the first date to end so I suggested getting dessert at Maxie B's. While driving separate cars to Maxie B's I called Nicole to tell her I met the man I plan to marry one day!

Now, after 5 years together, we can't wait to tie the knot and start our happily ever after!

It all started during spring break 2021, when a message in a bottle appeared outside our room at the Grove Park Inn in Asheville. In the bottle was a piece of parchment with a riddle on one side which read:
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A long time ago along the shores of this land, was there a pirate who made his last stand.

Nearly 4 years ago did the whispers begin that the late pirate's galleon had held treasure within.

On one of the Outer Banks the shipwreck is rumored to reside only accessible during morning tide.

To find the location a wayfinder you must grip - one with a trunk, two birthstones, and a black ship.

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After reading this I knew it meant the bracelet Scott made me for my 25th birthday was the key. On the other side of the parchment was a map of North Carolina. I lined up the beads of my bracelet on the map and it revealed there was a treasure on Ocracoke!

A couple of months later we set off for our Ocracoke adventure. According to the riddle the treasure was only accessible during the morning tide. On May 15th, we got up early to watch the sunrise on the beach. In waiting for the sun to rise we watched the sandpipers and the morning tide rolling in. When the sun broke over the clouds Scott told me I was the treasure all along, he dropped to one knee and asked me the question that changed my life!