Nicole & Taylor || Black Bird Farm Ohio

The Proposal

of

Nicole & Taylor

Our story started in 2013 at Wilmington College. What began as a friendship ended up being more than either of us ever imagined. We both knew that our friendship was special but could never imagine the love.
I asked Taylor when he would ask me to be his girlfriend; I can be a little pushy. LOL! Taylor asked, and of course, I had to think about it. One year later, on January 19, after a day with the boys and touring a hunting camp, it was sleeting and SO COLD. Taylor asked if I would come to look at the lake with him. I said, “Hell No! It’s cold there!” (I have never made it easy on him, LOL!) but he insisted, and I walked out on the dock, and at that moment, he asked me to marry him. I barely even let him get the words out before jumping in shock because I was so surprised and overjoyed!
That was the moment our forever started, and on July 17, 2021, surrounded by our family and friends, we made it official as we vowed our lives to each other and celebrated our love. They say you marry your best friend, and I am so glad I found mine in August of 2013, sitting in an Animal and Crop Science lecture at Wilmington College.

The Wedding

of

Nicole & Taylor

Our wedding day was the best day of my life. The bridesmaids woke up bright and early and headed to Black Bird Farm to prepare. It had rained that morning, but it had cleared off by midmorning. I remember everyone getting ready and feeling so focused on Taylor and living in the moment. I tried to take in all of the emotions that day and spend time with those that mean the most to Taylor and me. I watched the guys get to the venue around lunchtime out of the second-story window as I got my makeup done and then my hair. I felt beautiful, and I laughed with my best friends. When it was time to finally get into my dress, my mom helped me get dressed, and I shared a special moment with my mom and Taylor’s mom. Some of my bridesmaids had not seen my gown, so I wanted the first look. Walking down the stairs and out the front door to see their faces was a special moment, and I highly recommend that every bride does this! After my first look with my bridesmaids, it was time to look with my dad and brother. I remember feeling so many emotions but was highly blessed and excited to share this day.
When it was time for the ceremony to start, my dad walked me down the aisle. He looked at me and said, “Let’s do this,” right before we stepped out of the farmhouse door to the aisle in the grass-lined in wooden chairs full of our favorite people, and my handsome groom to be stood at the end of the aisle staring at me. It was everything and more I had imagined the moment to be. Our good friend, Karli, sang the song “Blessings” by Florida Georgia Line as I walked to meet Taylor, and we were joined together when my father gave me a way to him. The wedding ceremony was so beautiful and spoken by our Pastor, John. He talked about the meaning of marriage and keeping God in your marriage. Taylor and I kissed and celebrated at our reception with family and friends and had so much fun as the ceremony ended. We danced the night away!

Nicole’s Advice

to the

Future Brides

My advice to all the brides is: Do not stress the small stuff. What matters when you look back are your husband and yourself. So, make yourself happy. I remember people told me something would go wrong on your wedding day, and they were right. I looked at the groomsman in the ceremony, and 6 out of the 7 had the wrong suit coat. But when I saw that, I just had to laugh because those things really do not matter in the long run.
Enjoy your day, and always remember the love you felt.

Nicole’s

Bridal & Formal

Experience

My experience at Bridal and Formal was so easy and fun! I brought my mom, aunt, and bonus mom (MIL) dress shopping, and we had multiple dress shop appointments on the day, but I found my “Yes Dress” the third one I tried on. Our excellent sales consultant, Jen, was kind and let me lead the appointment. She helped me stay within my budget and feel beautiful. They took me to the backroom, pulled my hair back, and glammed up like my wedding day. The unique lights that showed the sparkle in my dress when it hit the light had me crying. I closed my eyes and imagined the look on my soon-to-be husband’s face, and I knew this was the dress I was born to wear!