But seriously, could you ask for a more wonderful person both inside and out? Nik is truly the bestest best friend a person could ask for (and Jim’s not so bad himself either!).  Not only did she make a stunning bride, but she made almost every single decoration!  She even hand wrapped and wax sealed all the favors for the guests!  She was a serious DIY warrior for this winter wedding, working into the wee hours of work nights to pull it all together.  There were so many wonderful touches placed throughout their wedding, from the HUGE Christmas ball wreath Nik made to the stunning centerpieces. Wyndridge Farms and Winery could not have been a more lovely venue for this winter wonderland wedding.  Not only was the barn a beautiful place to get married, but the staff made the whole day flow wonderfully.  From start to finish, this was a magical wedding to shoot.

When I arrived and valiantly composed myself to avoid tearing up, all the ladies and gentleman were getting ready in two separate rooms downstairs.   Everyone looked stunning.  The red colors, lights, and wreaths everywhere certainly emulated the holiday spirit.  Now the day was a bit of an ugly one weather-wise. It had iced and snowed overnight, so roads were a little hairy and I gracefully glided on concrete more then once trying to photograph shoes and flowers.  But it definitely helped to give the photos a little “White Christmas feel.”  I only wish it had been snowing big fat snowflakes when we were doing some couple shots, but a photographer’s dreams can not always be met, haha!

The morning went off smoothly with hugs and greetings to be had with all family members.  Nik’s mom and mother in law helped her get in her dress, while bridesmaids helped button her up.  The dress was stunning!  A flowing, strapless dress, with a gold highlighted waistline, and a sweetheart neckline, it was beautiful!  Nik looked incredible and again…. photographer waterworks threatened to occur. The bridesmaids all gathered around to ooo and aww, and I headed over to the groom’s room to see the gift exchange of sports themed shoes.  Not as amazing as Nik’s sparkly Christian Louboutin stilettos, but hey, can you tell these two share a love of shoes too?

And with that, the ceremony was officially ready to begin!  Now, as many of you may or may not know, my mom and I have actually ‘worked’ a few weddings together.  She is a Dr. Rev. and occasionally, when the stars align, we actually get to work together.  She marries them and I shoot them!  All we need is a caterer and a venue and we could be full service organization haha! My mom led in the groomsman, to be followed by the bridesmaids, and then Nik and her dad.  The moment Nik walked down the aisle and Jim saw her was one of those moments that make a wedding.  So many happy emotions and just a truly beautiful moment to witness.  This was it!  Game time.  The ceremony went off swimmingly and ended with two happily married people grinning at each other as they walked down the aisle for the first time as husband and wife.

The rest of the night flowed by.  Dances were had, speeches were given, and laughs were exchanged.  One of my favorite moments was when Jim gave a little speech, thanking everyone and Nik for everything they had done to make their wedding day so special.  And then he said, “Everyone kept asking me today if I was nervous, and I can honestly say, I am not, because I have never been so sure of anything in my life.  I am so happy to be married to Nicole.”  And that folks, is true, happy, butterflies in the stomach, love.

The rest of the night was filled with dancing and a LOT of it.  This was a dancing crowd!  Everyone was out on the dance floor at least once.  Even grandma was a dancing machine! Garter and bouquet were tossed (and there were battles for both)!  And the night wrapped up with a lovely dollar dance.  Nicole’s dad was the last to dance with both of them and that was a precious little moment.  All in all a truly wonderful wedding. I couldn’t be happier for these two and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for them!  I wish you two nothing but the best!  So with lots of love, I give you Nik and Jim’s wedding.