TikTok sensation Tommy Winkler, widely recognised as “The Food Guy,” and his partner Jessica Pappas recently celebrated their wedding on May 29 at the picturesque Meyer’s Castle in Deyers, Indiana. The couple, who met during their time as students at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside, held an intimate ceremony attended by approximately 100 family members and friends.
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The couple aimed to create a unique experience, combining the charm of a destination wedding with the convenience of a local venue. “Meyer’s Castle truly feels like you are transported to Europe,” noted Pappas, who echoed the couple’s vision of a “European spring garden” theme. She added that she wanted the ambiance to be vibrant and throughout with plenty of trees and greenery. The venue, which allows roaming wildlife including peacocks and deer, gave the setting a magical touch, making the wedding truly memorable for the couple and their guests.
Winkler, aged 24, emphasised the importance of keeping the guest list selective. “We had a rule that we did not want to meet anyone for the first time on our wedding day,” he stated. The couple reflected on their five-year relationship, believing that anyone who had not become familiar by that point should not be present at the ceremony. This decision contributed to the intimate atmosphere that they desired.
Planning the wedding involved some compromises between the couple. While Pappas, who described herself as “not a big public speaker,” agreed to Winkler’s preference to exchange personal vows, Winkler yielded to her wish for a “first look” moment. “In the end, we decided to do personal vows and also a first look so we could each have the part that mattered most to us,” he remarked.
The ceremony saw Pappas look stunning in a Renhue dress, walking down the aisle to Taylor Swift’s poignant track “You Are in Love.” The bridal party added to the enchanting atmosphere while processing to a piano rendition of Swift’s “Enchanted.” Guests celebrated the union with a cocktail hour post-ceremony, enjoying a diverse selection of hors d’oeuvres like beef skewers, empanadas, shrimp shooters, and stuffed mushroom caps. Following this, a plated dinner offered a duet of chicken marsala and filet mignon, as food was a significant priority for the couple.
Dessert featured a beautifully crafted wedding cake, comprised of three tiers — chocolate with chocolate buttercream, strawberry shortcake, and red velvet with vanilla buttercream. Tiramisu was also served, satisfying the collective sweet tooth of the attendees. Winkler expressed his contentment with the culinary aspect of the evening, ensuring that there was ample food available throughout the night.
As the couple made their grand entrance to live saxophone music, they shared their first dance dancing to Taylor Swift’s “Daylight.” Their celebration transitioned smoothly into an afterparty reminiscent of a speakeasy, extending the joyous occasion into the night.
Winkler and Pappas’s romance began on a rather unassuming note. They first crossed paths through mutual friends on Pappas’s freshman night at university, with Winkler being a sophomore. Initially, they did not particularly get along, often finding each other annoying. However, as their conversations deepened, they discovered shared interests. A pivotal moment in their relationship occurred in late 2020 when they both contracted COVID-19 and quarantined together. The restrictions allowed them to spend time as just the two of them, ultimately strengthening their connection.
In June 2025, Winkler proposed in Chicago at the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, a nod to Pappas’s love for nature. He arranged for a photographer to capture the moment discreetly. Although Pappas suspected something was amiss due to Winkler’s unusual enthusiasm for gardens, the proposal went off without a hitch, followed by a family celebration at Tiny Tapp & Tiny Café.
Reflecting on their partnership, Winkler expressed admiration for how Pappas has cultivated empathy in his life, wishing to turn challenges into opportunities for growth. “We make compromises for each other and always put each other first. That is what I admire most about our relationship,” he shared with sincerity. For her part, Pappas conveyed a deep sense of fulfilment in their differing personalities, stating, “We bring out the best in each other.”
The newlywed couple’s honeymoon took them to Cancun, Mexico, where they planned to enjoy the allure of tropical beaches, privacy, and a culinary adventure together. As they embarked on this new chapter, Winkler expressed excitement for the future, including family, a home, and all the experiences that await them, while Pappas echoed this sentiment of companionship and a shared journey ahead.