Heather grew up in Maryland, but moved to Indiana, where Nick is from, for college. Heather loved the area and ended up staying after she graduated – which led to meeting her future husband! Heather and Nick met in February 2017, right around Heather’s birthday, and these two got engaged in September 2018 in Indianapolis – in the very same spot where they first met!! So sweet!! Heather and Nick recently bought their first home together in Indiana, and they are so excited to start their lives together!
I met Heather and Nick last winter for a very chilly (but beautiful!) engagement session at the Howard County Conservancy. I loved getting to know these two, and I thought it was so cool that Heather is a pharmacist and Nick is a lawyer – because my sister (and second shooter) Kelsey is a pharmacist and my husband (also often my second shooter!) is a lawyer! Pharmacists and lawyers are some of my favorite people!
Heather got ready with her bridal party at the beautiful Turf Valley Resort (her bridal suite was incredible! They had so much space – and we had the most beautiful light in there, too!). Meanwhile, Nick and his groomsmen got ready down the hall in a different suite. Once they were ready, Kelsey took the groom and groomsmen outside for portraits under the pretty willow trees before the ceremony.
Heather’s hair dresser knows THREE of my brides! What a small world!! She also did Callie’s hair for her wedding! And she was SO excited for Heather; she has known her since she was born, and she did her dance and prom hair styles over the years. What an amazing experience to also be there to style her wedding day hair!
Heather and Nick had such a nice wedding party. Nick’s groomsmen all traveled from out of state to be part of their day – and his best man was his brother, who just got married (to one of Heather’s bridesmaids!) in June! I love that these four will always share the same wedding year – that is so special. Heather and her bridal party was stunning, and this group had the most beautiful gowns. Heather chose a light lavender color, and each bridesmaid got to choose her own style of dress (I love that idea!). Two of Heather’s bridesmaids are from Maryland, and three are from Indiana! I loved that she had dear friends from both states in her wedding party; it was so sweet!
Heather and Nick were married at St. Joseph’s Church in Eldersburg, Maryland, which is the church that Heather grew up going to with her family. Their ceremony was beautiful (and funny – I loved how their priest talked about how brave these two were to decide to put in an offer on their first home the day they saw it, and how brave Heather was to move from Maryland to Indiana!). After the ceremony, guests gathered on the front steps of the church for a bubble exit to cheer Heather and Nick’s marriage!! (So fun!!). And then we all headed back to Turf Valley for photos and cocktail hour.
I am SO excited to share Heather and Nick’s wedding day photos; I have SO many favorites!! I also may have a slight (ok, huge!) obsession with willow trees (note exhibit A and exhibit B for proof), so I was SO excited when Kelsey and I found willow trees at Turf Valley! Justin filmed a wedding at Turf Valley a few years ago, and as I was going over my Google Earth-view wedding day photo game plan with him a few days before (haha), he circled where he remembered there being willow trees, and told me that was his favorite spot for video. So Kelsey and I arrived at Turf Valley ahead of time to find that spot, and I am so glad we did! Turf Valley is sort of shaped like a “C”, and if we had stayed out front, we would have missed so many beautiful photo spots – like the gorgeous willow tree grove and the beautiful gazebo! And WOW – we got some STUNNING photos out there!! Just wait until you see these!! And Heather and Nick were such good sports about the heat (and humidity!) during portraits. Because it was a HOT day. But thankfully, it was hot and beautiful, with no rain at all (yay!). We couldn’t have been more lucky! And Nick reminded all of us of how freezing cold their engagement session had been in December – so we appreciated the heat a little more after that! They truly have pictures in opposing seasons
After we finished portraits under the willow grove, the four of us jumped in Kelsey’s car for some AC and cold water (our cooler with water bottles has become a summertime wedding day staple – and we all love it!). Kelsey drove us over to the Turf Valley pond for some very quick photo (it was extra HOT over there) alongside the swans, and then it was reception time!!
After introductions, dances, and speeches, the party kicked off with tons of dancing! Heather and Nick had so many friends from near and far here to celebrate with them, and this was such a fun party. We also made sure to get lots of group photos on the pretty patio right outside of the Cameo Ballroom at Turf Valley. I love when couples want to gather groups for bigger photos during the reception; it is so special to get those bigger group photos with family and friends. After these two cut their wedding cake, guests got to enjoy not just cake (and gluten-free cupcakes!), but also a fun dessert bar, complete with a s’mores station, chocolate fondue, and all kinds of tasty treats like strawberries, pretzels, and pound cake. (That was a BIG hit – and such a fun idea!!).
Heather and Nick, it has been so wonderful getting to know you two, and Kelsey and I absolutely loved celebrating with you two and your family and friends from Maryland and Indiana! You two are such a sweet couple, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds! I hope you two are having an AMAZING time on your honeymoon in Charleston!! Enjoy some favorites from your gorgeous wedding!! Congratulations!!
Congratulations, Heather and Nick!!