How They Met

Nick and Rachel met during their first year of college. They had a history class together and also had the same English teacher but weren’t in the same English class. One day their English teacher got sick, and Rachel didn’t realize class was canceled, so she had to wait around awhile before history class began. Rachel remembers being so mad because she kept thinking about how she could have slept in! It was a good thing it happened that way, though, because Nick happened to be waiting outside of class. The two started talking and realized they had the same teacher at different times. They started talking before and after their classes, and Rachel remembers looking forward to Tuesdays and Thursdays so she could talk to the boy from her history class! The two soon started dating – and now Nick says he’s never been more thankful that a teacher got sick.

The Engagement

Six years later in July 2018, Nick and Rachel went on a beach trip with some family and friends. One of the couples that went with them was expecting a baby, and everyone went out to the beach to take pictures for the pregnancy announcement. All the couples took turns taking pictures, too, and when it was their turn, Nick proposed! It is very special to the couple that they have this moment in a picture and that their family and friends were there. Their friends got them a custom cookie cake (one of their favorites – they like food!) to celebrate. It was very special, and they are so happy they have photos to remember that special day.

The Wedding Day

Special moments at their wedding included Rachel being able to include her late grandmother in the wedding by wearing her pearl necklace. Rachel gave the pearls to her father, along with a handwritten note from her grandmother, during their first look. Since the pearls were his mother’s, it was a bittersweet moment. First looks with Nick were a little less teary, and Rachel doesn’t think she has ever felt more beautiful than during that moment! Rachel and Nick were both very emotional during the ceremony, but their reception had lots of smiles, with their first dance as a married couple, the father/daughter dance, mother/son dance and a generation dance. Rachel especially loved the generation dance because so many couples danced! 

Meet the Team

Photographer: Gari-Ann Kia Photography

Ceremony venue: Shady Grove Baptist Church

Reception venue: Private property of the Lake Family

Wedding planner/coordinator: Lillie Belle Weddings

Hair and make-up: Blush Salon

Florist: Lillie Belle Weddings

DJ/Entertainment: Reggie Gibbs – “DJ Reggie Reg”

Wedding dress: The Something Blue Shoppe

Bridesmaid dresses: Ivory and Birch Bridal; Show Me Your Mumu

Groom’s attire: Men’s Warehouse   

Groomsmen attire: Joseph A. Banks

Bridal cake: Patrick Martin, The Cake Company

Groom cake: Chandra’s Piece of Cake

Catering: Lillie Belle Weddings