Ryan (who lived in New Orleans) attempted to meet Dabito (who lived in New York) several times after connecting on the dating app OKCupid, but it never worked out. Then, Ryan invited Dabito to join him in Montauk for July 4th. While a three-hour train ride for a first date may have seemed wild, Dabito was intrigued by Ryan’s profile. Ryan met him at the station, and the two went to a local bar. Later at dinner, they discovered a shared love of oysters. That meal kicked off an epic five-day first date. They were smitten.
Four years later, Ryan planned to propose on the patio of their new home in Los Angeles. For a week, he tried to lure Dabito outside to no avail. Then on Thanksgiving Day, Ryan had just gotten out of the shower and was rummaging through his suitcase, and out flew a ring box! Dabito happened to be standing right there and saw it. Ryan quickly got dressed, went into the living room with Dabito, and proposed.
Dabito said “yes” in 2017; in early 2022 they began planning a wedding in New Orleans. They both loved the atmosphere and architecture at Hotel Peter & Paul. Once they settled on the venue, Dabito got to work designing invitations for friends and family to join them on October 15, 2022.
As they walked down the aisle, the grooms’ wedding party dazzled guests, with Dabito’s attendants in shades of green and Ryan’s in shades of purple. Ryan and Dabito said “I do” wearing suits in purple and green, making them an eye-catching sight when they led a second line through the Marigny, eventually ending back at Hotel Peter & Paul for the reception.
The cocktail hour featured an oyster bar—a nod to the couple’s first date. In addition, oyster shells were used as name cards, ensuring that everyone had found their seats by the time the grooms made their entrance in their second outfits of the evening. In honor of Dabito’s family traditions, a Chinese/Vietnamese lion dance ushered in the newlyweds. As they sipped cocktails and savored a meal created by Bacchanal, Dabito and Ryan were unaware that their loved ones planned to surprise them with speeches. All were memorable, but Dabito’s fifteen-year-old niece stole the show, making everyone laugh and cry at the same time!
She must have learned how to create a memorable moment from her uncles, who did a third wardrobe change before their first dance to “Love at First Sight” by Kylie Minogue. They didn’t want guests to watch them dance; they wanted a song that would get people up to dance with them. The celebration continued well into the night, ending with an after party at Anna’s complete with their favorite pies from Pizza Delicious.
Ryan, who works in education, and Dabito, an interior designer, currently split their time between Los Angeles and New Orleans. They are planning a honeymoon to Cambodia, Bangkok, and Bali in the near future.
Rehearsal Dinner Location: Bar Marilou
Reception Décor: Distressed Rentals
Coordinator: Jane Taylor Satchel Planning
Ceremony Music: Snoh Alegra
Engagement Ring: Doozie Jewelry
Dabito’s Wedding Band: David Yurman
Ryan’s Wedding Band: Tiffany
Florist: Antigua Floral
Place cards: Amber Rosenberg Design
Invitation: Dabito
Wedding Cake: Bayou Saint Cake
Photographer: Hannah Pickle
Videographer: Toucan Tango
Makeup: Marc Reagan
DJ: DJ Chinua
Lion Dance: Rising Dragon Lion Dance Team
