We love the heart behind this couple and the advice they shared below for your wedding day. Faced with their own set of difficulties due to COVID affecting their wedding date, they refocused and planned a heartfelt wedding day that was filled with lot of meaning. We featured their story in our Volume 2 Print Magazine – pick one up here!
from the photographer: “This May wedding was magical start to finish with Nikki and Michael! It started out sweet and slow with the exciting buzz of everyone getting ready and sharing sweet childhood stories about the bride and groom!
Nikki was such a stunning bride and was glowing through the day! She had a few moments with her mom and sister as she started getting ready and slipped into her gorgeous gown and shoes! She had the sweetest first look with her mom and sister as well as other family members!
We then walked down to the courtyard of this stunning lighthouse for the first look with Nikki and her father! Cue the tears! It was the most special moment where this father saw his beautiful daughter and reality hit that he was giving her away!
Michael was having the best day shooting pool with his brothers and getting ready to meet his bride down the aisle! The ceremony had live musicians playing as Nikki and her father walked down to her excited groom! Michaels face tells it all! The ceremony was so special and there were few dry eyes as their families watched them vow to forever! Due to Covid-19 they were limited to family only and it made the day beyond special.
The reception was a celebration of a lifetime! It was a sit down dinner and each special family member stood up to share a sweet story and word of encouragement to the newlyweds!”
How did you two meet? What were your first impressions of one another?
We met in college during finals week! I was camping out in the student center to get a lot done. He ended up sitting behind me and we talked the whole night. He ended up walking me back to my dorm because it was dark. We laugh that I somehow still made an A on that final.
Describe a hurdle you had to overcome in your relationship or during your wedding planning.
Our wedding date fell during the quarantine. At the beginning of the pandemic, we kept telling ourselves SURELY everything would be back to normal by May. Little did we know things would only worsen. All we could do was sit and wait. We prayed for patience and for answers. The uncertainty forced us to make big last-minute decisions. We are so thankful we got to have our wedding in May, and that our family got to be there. It was truly the most perfect and joyful day!
Any special ways you incorporated your family or family history into your wedding day?
One of my favorite wedding details was incorporating my grandmothers collection of ginger jars. She was so happy when I asked if we could use them. It was the perfect touch of southern and traditional. It will always be so special to me!
What part of your wedding day was/is most important to you?
The most important part of a wedding day to us is the ceremony. A wedding ceremony is a reflection of Christ and the church. We prayed that our guests would be reminded of that. We incorporate some of our favorite hymns and our college pastor got to marry us.
What is the best thing you’ve learned from one another?
By being with each other, we have learned a lot about ourselves. Adding another person into your life can reveal how self consumed you are. We have learned and are still learning how to show each other grace even on the bad days!
What is your favorite thing about each other?
Her response- “he keeps me laughing”
His response- “she always laughs at my jokes”
What was your favorite part about planning your wedding?
My favorite part of wedding planning with getting to do so much of it with my mom. We have always bonded over different creative things… this was the ultimate project for us. She is so fun and supportive!
If you had one piece of advice for other couples, what would it be?
With regards to wedding planning, my advice would be to not get so wrapped up in the little things. Enjoy the process! Allow yourself to focus on and prepare for your marriage… not just the wedding day.
Photographer: Rebecca Singleton
Wedding Planner: Asher Lane Design
Venue: The Lighthouse at Lake Guntersville
Florals: Lake Guntersville Flowers
Wedding Suite: Nikki Stanford
Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Veil: Ivory and White Boutique
Shoes: Loeffler Randall
Earrings: Kate + Mari
Cake: Barb’s Cakes
Linens: La Tavola Fine Linen
HMUA: Hair + Makeup by Nat
Film Lab: Richard Photo Lab
Publisher at The White Wren and Bajan Wed, Award Winning Photography + Videographer at Live View Studios, Dad, 80s music lover, crunchy health advocate
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