< Real Weddings in Kentucky

Kimberly Magness & Jon Ryan Neace

Regal Elegance

Married

Jun 7, 2025
Versailles , Kentucky

Photo Credit

Anna May Photography

Style Guide

Style

Formal, Luxury

Season

Summer

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The Proposal

Kimberly and Jon Ryan had known each other casually for nearly 15 years, but fate brought them together in a way neither expected. While visiting New York on a family trip, Jon Ryan slid into Kimberly’s Instagram DMs and invited her out for a drink. She agreed, not anticipating anything more than a casual night out—but they ended up talking and laughing until the early morning hours. Their connection was undeniable, and shortly after, Kimberly joined him for a New Year’s trip to Barcelona and Marrakesh. From that moment on, their story truly began.

Jon Ryan truly went above and beyond to craft the perfect proposal for Kimberly. Knowing how meaningful the moment needed to be, he secretly collaborated with her best friend to gather ring ideas, ensuring the perfect choice without giving anything away. Drawing on his family’s ties to Louisville City FC and Racing Louisville, he set the scene at Lynn Family Stadium, where the teams play. What Kimberly thought was an owners’ gathering celebrating the team’s 10th anniversary was, in reality, a carefully orchestrated surprise. Behind the scenes, Jon Ryan had hired a photographer, a videographer with a drone, and arranged for Kimberly’s family to hide in a suite to witness the moment. He even enlisted his family to greet them, keeping the illusion intact. As Kimberly walked onto the field with him under the pretense of “practicing a speech,” a slideshow of their favorite photos from the past two years illuminated the giant scoreboard, accompanied by Britney Spears’ “Born to Make You Happy”—her absolute favorite artist. Then he got down on one knee, Kimberly was momentarily distracted by the ring box, which lit up—but of course she said yes. Turning around, she found her mom, sister, nieces, and nephews watching the entire scene in secret.

The celebration continued with champagne in the club area alongside both families, and later, another surprise awaited at Jon Ryan’s winery, Old 502, where friends—some flown in from New York—gathered to celebrate the couple. Thoughtful, joyous, and perfectly executed, the proposal set the tone for the magic and love that would fill their wedding day.

In Preparation

The first place Kimberly and Jon Ryan started was hiring a wedding planner. She absolutely saved their sanity! Their next step was securing their outfits. Kimberly’s gown was not at all what she initially imagined she would choose—but the moment she tried it on, after countless near misses, she knew it was “the one.” With Kimberly’s background in fashion, she knew she wanted something bold, modern, and a statement piece. She wore a custom Galia Lahav gown in white lace, sleeveless with a plunging neckline and sheer cut-out panels along the sides. To add a touch of drama and detail, a corset closure was customized in the back. Wanting to transform her look from ceremony to reception, Kimberly designed versatile draping off-the-shoulder straps, which she wore for the vows and removed for the party. Her look was completed with a cathedral-length Galia Lahav veil, edged with delicate lace details that mirrored the dress’s intricate design—an ethereal finishing touch.

Jon Ryan wore a custom black suit by Blvdier, crafted in Chicago, paired with a crisp white shirt, black tie, and a classic pocket square matching the liner of the jacket in white with a black rose print. Adding a meaningful and stylish touch, the inside of his jacket was lined with a custom white fabric patterned with black roses—an elegant nod to the wedding florals. Hidden inside the collar, the suit also featured embroidered Roman numerals of the couple’s wedding date, a subtle detail that made the look uniquely his own.

The week before the wedding, the weather forecast was both the biggest anticipation and the greatest source of anxiety. With plans for an outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour by the pool, Kimberly watched nervously as forecasts shifted just two days before the wedding to a 70% chance of showers and storms. Panic set in—until a TikTok video suggested an unusual solution: hiring an Etsy witch to ensure good weather. At first, her rational brain scoffed—it seemed like a trendy gimmick and another expense in an already lavish wedding. But the thought of regret was stronger. For just $12, why not try everything? On Saturday afternoon, as if by magic, the sun emerged, and Kimberly even received an email confirming that the spell had been cast, complete with FAQs on maximizing its effect. Though the forecast still hinted at rain, she trusted her mystical solution. The day of the wedding was overcast with a gentle breeze—a perfect complement to the outdoor ceremony. Luckily for them, their reception was indoors in the Greenhouse. The moment they walked into the reception for their entrance – it downpoured!

The Big Day

Kimberly and Jon Ryan held their wedding at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, KY. Their wedding vision was inspired by the romance of an old-world castle, layered with modern elegance. Think stone turrets, candlelit halls, and regal details—softened with sleek lines, airy draping, and contemporary touches. The result was a balance of timeless romance and fresh sophistication: history meeting modern-day fairytale. The couple’s style was romantic and classic, with a soft neutral palette of pale pink, blush, taupe, and champagne. To create dimension and effortless elegance, each bridesmaid wore a different dress style and shade within the palette, adding subtle variation while keeping the look cohesive.

Their longtime friend officiated the ceremony, making it a deeply personal experience. Kimberly and Jon Ryan chose a spiritual, non-denominational service that reflected their values, complete with customized details and lighthearted touches of humor. The ceremony took place in the castle’s courtyard, where the aisle was lined with lush floral arrangements and accented by deconstructed white Grecian clay pots. At the altar, two large asymmetrical white modern arches framed the ceremony setting, creating a striking balance between old-world romance and contemporary design. Following the ceremony, guests gathered for cocktail hour by the pool, where the water sparkled with floating flower arrangements and flickering candles. An elegant tented lounge offered seating and shade, creating a relaxed yet refined atmosphere for mingling before the reception.

The reception took place in the castle’s stunning greenhouse, transformed into a romantic celebration space. Grand gold chandeliers draped with greenery and cascading florals set the tone, while beige drapes and twinkle lights added warmth and glow. The tables were dressed in crisp white linens with gold charger plates and rose-printed napkins, each tablescape styled a little differently with a mix of high and low floral arrangements and glowing candles. Personalized touches carried throughout—from custom menus and place cards to bottles of red and white wine at every table, featuring engagement photos of the couple from their winery, “Old 502”. Two signature cocktails reflected the bride and groom’s personalities: a lemon lavender martini and a classic old fashioned served with custom square ice cubes engraved with K|J.

The stage was framed by deconstructed Grecian pots and lavish florals, while colorful up-lighting illuminated the dance floor. Guests danced over a custom floor decal, with cold sparklers lighting up the couple’s grand entrance and first dance. A white-and-blush rose flower wall provided the perfect backdrop for photo booth fun, and the evening was sweetened by a five-tier white buttercream cake adorned with cascading blush and white roses, each tier offering a different flavor for guests to enjoy. Kimberly infused the day with her own artistry by DIY-ing all of the wedding signage. The invitations set the tone for the celebration—elegant gold-embossed suites wrapped in vellum and sealed with gold wax. Each envelope liner revealed a custom watercolor painting of The Kentucky Castle, a nod to the breathtaking venue. For the day-of details, she created a striking large white acrylic welcome sign with bold black 3D lettering. During cocktail hour, a dramatic baroque gold mirror displayed seating cards, each fastened with an “N” wax seal, blending old-world romance with modern sophistication.

The floral design was central to creating the wedding’s romantic ambiance. White blooms, accented with delicate blush blossoms and lush greenery for a romantic yet timeless look. Arrangements overflowed with roses, peonies, garden spray roses, and textured greenery, creating layers of depth and movement. The bride carried a dramatic cascading bouquet featuring the same palette, a statement piece that tied together the ceremony, reception, and overall design vision.

As a heartfelt takeaway, each guest was gifted a custom bottle of wine from the couple’s winery, Old 502, featuring their engagement photos on the label—a meaningful nod to their love story and shared passion. The couple also hired a content creator, which they can not recommend enough. You never realize how special all those behind-the-scenes moments are. And they got their content back the day after the wedding! It’s a nice little treat from having to wait for the official photos and videos to arrive. Among the couple’s favorite memories from the day were their grand entrance and first dance, made unforgettable by cold sparklers that lit up the room in a shower of light and excitement.

The Retreat

The couple looked into multiple places, but they couldn’t find anything that seemed to suit what they were looking for better than Bora Bora, and after 2 hours there, they knew they were correct. It was so magical, everything from the boat ride in, to their over the ocean room, were absolutely perfect.

Kimberly and Jon Ryan stayed at the St. Regis Bora Bora and the service they received was second to none. They went snorkeling, which led to swimming with blacktip reef sharks, a family of eagle rays, and even saw a massive manta ray. They took jet skis to explore the areas away from the resort. They did an ATV tour of the main island and got to see some incredible views and trek through the forest. They went pearl diving which was really neat and came home with three pearls for their efforts.

The sun, sand, and most beautiful water colors were everything they needed to relax after the year long
preparation for the wedding.

 

Contributing Vendors

PR: Shannon Frieser-Mulvaney

Photographer: Anna May Photography

Venue/Catering: The Kentucky Castle

Planner: Morgan Gould with Essential Details

Rentals: Bryant’s Rent-All

Decor: A Design Decor

Drapery: Nadia’s Elegant Events

Photo Booth: Rivertown Photo Booths

Bridal Gown: Galia Lahav

Bridal Shoes: Betsey Johnson

Alternations: Alts | Groom Suit: Blvdier

Groom Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Videographer: Wade Hodges with Lexington Wedding Films

Content Creator: Content By Kenna

Floral Designer: Blooms by Essential Details

Bridal Party Dresses:  Azazie, Birdy Grey, MuMu

Groomsmen Suits: Suit Shop

Jewelry:  Koerber’s Fine Jewelry

Nails:  A & B Nail Bar | Invitations: The Knot

Custom Ice Cubes: Kentucky Straight Ice

Rolls-Royce: Derby City Dream Cars

Wine: Old 502| DJ: Kentucky Pro DJ

Strings: Highland Chamber Players

Hair & Makeup: Marie Faulkerson Makeup

Cake: Tinker’s Cake Shop