They had started their engagement with plans for a spectacular wedding in the mountains of Asheville, NC — the big dress, the dramatic reveal of a beautiful bride walking down the aisle, lots of guests, including their far-flung relatives from around the world. But somewhere along the way, Nikole started waking up in the night worrying about her wedding, when all she wanted to be thinking about was how happy she was to marry the man of her dreams.

That’s how Nikole and Arun decided that was all they wanted to be thinking about on their wedding day: Each other. So they started planning their elopement at Princess Place Preserve (inspired, as it turns out, to choose the location because of this fun shoot we did at Princess Place last fall!), and I don’t think anything could have suited them better. Nikole still had her fabulous dress. They still had their dramatic first look. And they didn’t have to worry about a thing other than trying to keep their faces from aching due to their non-stop smiling.

Nikole and Arun, you two had an amazing wedding day, filled with so much love (and a few too many insects and some suddenly-essential superglue, but hey, you’d probably forgotten those things until I brought them up again!). The way you two looked at each other is all any couple can truly ask of their wedding day — whether you’re surrounded by the love of 150 guests, or simply overflowing in each other’s love. For Nikole, the day started out at her friend Elizabeth’s salon, The Studio Salon & Massage, in Ormond Beach. And the day started out with a pair of sassy fuchsia sandals.Oh, and mimosas. (Arun: Nikole only had one, as promised.)It meant a lot to Nikole to have her friend Elizabeth style her hair for her wedding: Back in middle school, according to Nikole, Elizabeth first taught her how to do makeup and some hairstyling basics. Fast forward nearly fifteen years and Elizabeth — and another longtime friend, Morgan — were getting Nikole ready for the biggest day of her life.While Nikole was getting prettied up, Danny was tagging along with Arun, who had some wedding day errands to run: Picking up the flowers from Marguerite’s Florist, and the cake from Paradise Cheesecake. Getting the flowers was easy enough for Arun — but for someone who doesn’t usually transport wedding cakes, getting their (cheesecake) wedding cake was a little bit trickier. Because Arun needed to take it all the way to St. Augustine, where he and Nikole were going to celebrate and spend the night after their wedding. . . . Back at the house, Arun got creative and made it work. For weeks, Arun had secretly worked his his wedding present for Nikole — a wedding vase, traditional among some Native Americans, representing two lives joined together. While Arun showed it to Danny at the house, Nikole showed it off at the salon.And then it was time. The bride was ready to get into her gown. You think maybe she was just a little be excited to be a bride?These were some of the most fun wedding shoes — and some of the most fun wedding shoe pictures! Then it was off to Princess Place Preserve — this bride had a groom to marry.Up at Princess Place, Arun was waiting for Nikole, and waiting for their first look. I love first looks, and if Danny and I were getting married over again, I would skip seeing each other for the first time at the aisle in favor of seeing each other privately before the ceremony. There’s so much joy and romance in those intimate moments, and they produce some truly wonderful pictures. See for yourself. After a few moments together just savoring their wedding day, Nikole and Arun were ready to exchange their vows under Princess Place’s magnificent oaks. Valerie from Cherished Moments Weddings by Valerie officiated as the gorgeous sunlight streamed down on the quiet ceremony. There was no music. There were no readings from the Bible or from poems or from songs. Just the sound of the wind rustling through the leaves and the Spanish moss as Nikole and Arun promised to love each other forever.Their vows were simple, personal, completely heartfelt — and since there were no guests in attendance, there was no question that Nikole and Arun had written their vows with only each other in mind. They didn’t write vows that would wow their friends and family. They shared the vows they wanted to make to each other alone.

There was another benefit to their relaxed, intimate wedding ceremony: When the wind changed direction, they simply swapped sides, so Nikole’s veil fluttered behind her instead of in both their faces. Then they got right back to their ceremony.
Married! There is nothing in the world better than that feeling. Nikole clearly agrees.Saying they were “happy” doesn’t even begin to describe it!I just want to sigh over this pretty pair. They were so happy, so relaxed, and so, so in love. With such a beautiful setting for their wedding, and such beautiful weather, everything (except for the insects feasting on Nikole) came together to make it a gorgeous, wonderful day.Oh, Nikole — I hope Arun knows what a lucky man he is!I hope you both know how lucky you are!And then it was break time. Leading up to their wedding day, Nikole had been congratulating herself on choosing a cool time of the year for her outdoor Florida wedding . . . so, naturally, on the morning of February 24, she woke up to the weather report on the radio: “And it’s going to feel like June, today!” And it did.Tired after a long day? You’d never know it with this girl. She was looking every bit as incredible at 5:00 as she did when her makeup was first applied. I think this guy had something to do with her gorgeous glow.Swoon-worthy, right?!

In case you need something to break up all the non-stop adorableness . . . I thought it would be a great idea to include this shot of Nikole fighting back against the bugs that kept snacking on her. My favorite part of this picture, though, is how Arun clearly thinks she’s cuter as ever.Much as we would have loved to keep photographing these two well into the evening, they had places to be, and a new marriage to celebrate with friends in St. Augustine. So we took another stroll through Princess Place’s lovely oaks and headed back to the parking lot together to send them off on their mini-moon.Nikole, Arun — we’re so happy you two found each other, and so happy you gave us the honor of helping to tell your love story. You two became so special to the two of us, and it was a joy to be a part of your lives at such an important time. We pray your marriage will be as blessed and beautiful as your wedding day, and that your love will grow stronger as the years flutter by!

Vendors:
Wedding Venue: Princess Place Preserve
Hairstyling: Elizabeth Guillen – The Studio Salon and Massage
Makeup: Morgan Ashley
Wedding gown and veil: David’s Bridal (David’s Bridal Port Orange)
Shoes: Aldo
Officiant: Captain Valerie Waine – Wedding Officiants Florida
Flowers: Marguerite’s Florist
Cake: Paradise Cheesecakes

~ Laura