Nicole and Jared: Feeling Right at Home

Nicole and Jared got married on Jared’s parents’ property in Florida, as is somewhat of a tradition in his family. His brother also had his wedding there, under the same amazing hundred year old oak tree that first drew his parents to the land. Before the official ceremony, the bride and groom exchanged personal written vows. “We hid on either side of a wall so we couldn’t see each other. It was that part of the day that was the most emotional and beautiful part for me,” says Nicole.

Nicole’s dad passed away when she was 15, so as a special tribute, she set a chair aside for him during the ceremony with a picture of the two of them on it. When her brother walked her down the aisle, she put a rose on the chair in remembrance of him. She also turned one of the property’s large oaks into a “family tree” by hanging pictures of the generations of couples in their families. Family and tradition is very important to both Nicole and Jared.

The main goal of the wedding was for guests to really enjoy themselves and feel at home. Instead of a formal guest book, Nicole and Jared had their friends and family sign Jenga pieces and the bride made personalized corn hole boards with their names on them. Other fun details include a s’mores bar with ten different s’mores combinations, fun cupcakes, a candy bar and an authentic Cuban cigar roller.

Nicole says she wanted the attire to be “classy but not too stuffy.” She went for a whimsical, boho look, letting her bridesmaids choose their own style of burgundy chiffon gown. Hair and makeup was no exception, lots of loose curls and nothing too formal. The guys wore dark gray suits and burgundy ties to match the ladies. In keeping with the “at home” theme, the bridal party opted for sensible and stylish footwear. Nicole wore white Converse, while the bridesmaids wore gray ones and all the guys wore gray Vans.

Nicole and Jared created a fun and celebratory atmosphere right at home and enjoyed family traditions old and new, like Nicole and her mom’s mother/daughter dance to Carrie Underwood’s “Mama’s Song”. Then, surrounded by deep burgundy, off white and olive florals with eucalyptus vine accents, these two danced the night away with their friends and family under twinkling Edison lights!