There are some super sweet details and personal touches Kaci and Nick’s wedding day planned by Grey Collective member Beauty & the Details. Succulents planted in teacups for the place cards and donuts and s’mores for dessert. But our favorite part is that the couple chose to write their own vows and recite them at their first look versus in front of all their guests. It kept the moment super private and intimate. See photos from their special moment and the rest of their day in these lovely images by Uplift Photography.
What made the wedding special and unique?
We really wanted to center the day around our families, and the fact that our wedding day marked the start of our own family. Our families are spread out all over the country, so we knew that this was probably the only time in our lives that everyone would be in one room! We kept the day pretty intimate and wanted to make sure we didn’t spend the night introducing each other to new people. The night felt so warm and cozy (literally, we had fireplaces and fire pits!), and we could not have felt more loved.
Tell us about the gown and where/how you found it!
I found my gown at Kleinfeld Bridal, in New York City. I prepared for my appointment by making a Pinterest board with my favorite dress in every style, just in case one fit didn’t flatter me. I’m so glad I did! I thought I would end up with a fitted dress, but when I tried one on, I didn’t love how it made me feel. I tried on more of a flowy ball gown option next, and it was perfect! I ended up trying on a few more dresses but chose the second dress I ever tried on. It was Legends by Romona Keveza.
What were some touches added to make it personal?
This was so much fun for me! During cocktail hour, we served a drink that we used to make in the bar we met working in. We also served donuts and s’mores for dessert, which are two of our favorite treats! We displayed pictures from our family members’ weddings, and baby pictures of my husband and myself. We spent months collecting tea cups to plant succulents (my husband’s favorite) in for our place cards/favors and I printed our table numbers on pages from one of my favorite childhood books, Anne of Green Gables. I was lucky enough to have a groom who cared just enough about the details and it was truly a collaboration. We were so happy with how everything turned out and really felt like the day was a perfect representation of us.
What was the most memorable part of the day?
We really wanted to write something to read to each other, but felt a little shy about reading personal vows during our traditional ceremony. To compromise, we wrote our vows and read them to each other after our first look. It allowed us to laugh, cry and get our nerves out before the ceremony. Your wedding day can be so hectic and stressful, and it was the perfect way to remind us what the day was all about.
Tell us how you met and became engaged.
We met in early 2012 while working at TAO in New York City. Nick wouldn’t take no for an answer and showed incredible perseverance by asking me out for months until I finally said yes. Our first date was spent walking through Ft. Tryon Park and talking for hours at the New Leaf Cafe. On that date, I was telling Nick about how my parents had been married for almost 30 years and he said “That’s going to be us!” I thought he was crazy, but 3 years later here we go!!
After countless hours of sitting around watching World Cup coverage, I became stir crazy and told Nick that I was going to take the dog on a walk. Nick told me that he was going to come along, but to take Jameson outside and he would meet us there. I went outside, immediately started sweating in the July heat and called my dad to complain about Nick’s soccer addiction. My dad, knowing that Nick would propose soon (Nick had asked my parents for permission the weekend before), told me that I needed to get myself a hobby and stay out of the heat because it made me cranky. When Nick came downstairs (with the ring in his pocket), we walked to Astoria Park. When we got to an open area, we started throwing the ball to Jameson. Nick handed me the ball and said “Jameson, Mommy’s got something for you.” As I threw the ball, I heard Nick say “and I’ve got something for you.” When I turned around, he was on one knee. We both blacked out, and aside from a few select cuss words from me, that is basically all we remember.
When we got home, we called our families to share the news and dined on cheeseburgers and champagne.
Kaci + Nick – Highlight Film // Highlands Country Club from Preston Films on Vimeo.
Photographer/Videographer: Uplift Photography, Jade O’Connell // Wedding Planner: Beauty & the Details, Renae // Florist: Gotham Florist, Ji Crowley // Videographer: Preston Films, Michael Torpey // Venue: Highlands Country Club // DJ: Party For a Lifetime, Ryan McLaughlin // Hair Stylist: Brittany DiGiacomo // Ceremony Musicians: Bernstein Bard Trio, Steve Bernstein // Officiant: Dr. Joseph Lynch // Dress: Kleinfeld Bridal