I don't even know where to start. This day was perfection. Nicole and Ron were an absolute treat and I could not have enjoyed the wedding day more than I did. Nicole had reached out to me back in March about her wedding day. She had a great handle on the planning, but really just wanted someone to execute the day like she imagined. It was truly an amazing experience working alongside this sweet girl, because she was so prompt in her responses and keeping things organized. What a dream bride!
Nicole & Ron met their freshmen year at Kent State and have been together ever since. Both growing up in Ohio, but currently living in Indiana, I could relate to their midwest families and life, as I grew up in Illinois! I had been working with Nicole for 4 months and had never even met her until the day of her ceremony rehearsal, hosted at Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina. When we both hugged one another, we both agreed it felt like we had known each other for years and couldn't believe it was the first time meeting one another. Fun fact: Typically I meet my bride and groom's before this, but because they didn't come into town for their engagement session pictures, until the day before their wedding, I didn't have an opportunity to meet them until their rehearsal!
The day started off with hair & make up by Meg Workman Beauty. Nicole was really enjoying spending her morning writing her vows to Ron, exchanging laughs and stories with her bridesmaids and moms, and enjoying some lunch before the ceremony began!
Before Nicole and her bridesmaids slipped into their dresses, they enjoyed taking some pool side pictures together before the boys arrived at the venue. Nicole & Ron decided to share their vows individually and in private, by writing them beforehand and exchanging them before they met each other at the altar. Tears were shed and it was truly a special moment between the two of them.
Guest began arriving, and the ceremony, cocktail hour and receptions spaces were ready to go for everyone to enjoy. Guests mingled with one another in the lobby until they headed down the boardwalk towards the ceremony site. They anxiously awaited to see the Nicole walk down the aisle.
The ceremony could not have been more perfect. Nicole and Ron opted out of doing a first look, so it was truly touching watching their faces see one another for the first time. Definitely one of my absolute favorite parts of the day. The weather was absolutely amazing for a July wedding in Charleston, we could not have asked for better weather. The officiant, a friend of Nicole and Ron's, did such a wonderful job making their ceremony so special!
After they solidified their marriage with a kiss, as Mr. & Mrs., the guests clapped and cheered and headed to congratulate the two newly weds while they headed off to cocktail hour. Nicole & Ron took their time to take wedding party photos while their guests mingled and caught up with one another.
Alena, with Simply Korsun Photography, took the reins during the wedding party portraits and truly knocked it out of the park! These photos are to die for!
The entire inspiration for their wedding decor was clean, crisp, and palm. Out of the Garden pulled together exactly what we were envisioning and made the reception room look absolutely breathtaking. Sweet Rhi then arrived to drop of the fun and unique geode cake, and topped off the final detail of the reception. We were then ready for the reception to begin!
We kicked off the start of the reception with EPIC Charleston introducing the entire wedding party to the song, Dynamite by Taio Cruz and immediately went into the first dance, father daughter and mother son. Of course, with the first dance song being Amazed by Lonestar, I was tearing up in the corner. I absolutely adore that song!
After the first dances were finished, Nicole's father gave one of the most unique welcome speeches I had ever heard -- he had related life, marriage, and the journey of growing up as a round of 18 in golf. I would have never thought to incorporate the sport into a speech, but he did an amazing job correlating the two together, and I don't think I will ever forget that speech. What a great start to the reception!
Toasts by Nicole's twin sisters and Ron's older brother were given and then they were off to take beautiful sunset pictures on the marina dock, I mean, can you believe how beautiful this is? I can truly never be tired of Charleston's natural beauty!
The boxwood wall, provided by Event Works with a custom neon sign of Nicole & Ron's last name was such a hit during the reception, and is such a fun element to incorporate in your wedding day. As the wedding concluded, Mr. & Mrs. Ron Sheppard exited the building with all their friends and family to a sparkler send off. What a truly amazing ending for an even more amazing day!
It was such an absolute privilege to have had a chance to be a part of these sweet humans big day. Genuinely, will miss not speaking to them on the reg.
Congratulations Nicole & Ron, I wish nothing but the best for you two. Keep in touch, xo!
This day could not have been possible without the help of an amazing vendor team:
PLANNER: Nicki Paige Collection
PHOTOGRAPHER: Simply Korsun Photography
MUSIC: EPIC Charleston
CATERING & BAR: Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina
CAKE: Sweet Rhi
FLORALS: Out of the Garden
HAIR + MAKE UP: Meg Workman Beauty
RENTALS: Event Works Rentals