I don’t get a chance to book many intimate weddings because I usually book them on weekdays only and only in the slower season.  But it just worked out perfectly that Nicole and Cory’s intimate wedding was on Friday, October 20, right before my own 15 year anniversary and I knew I didn’t want to be overloaded before my anniversary in an already busy month so the timing couldn’t have been better. And what a perfect fit!  I LOVED photographing their intimate wedding at the incredibly charming Inn at Meander Plantation.  In fact, I now plan on a night their with my own hubby!  It is a gorgeous place and close to home.

I just loved Nicole and Cory’s idea for a wedding with their immediate families.  It was absolutely perfect.  The Inn is a perfect setting for a small wedding with a lot of heart.  Good Earth Flowers is responsible for the amazing arbor, boutineers, corsages and bouquets.  It was so wonderful to see such gorgeous color!  And they paired perfectly with Nicole’s Badgley Mischka shoes.

Nicole looked incredible and Cory was overwhelmed when he saw her for their first look.  It was a beautiful moment!  Afterwards, they exchanged letters to one another and it was such a special moment filled with laughter, tears of joy and lots of hugs!

The ceremony was just lovely too and Nicole’s niece could not have been any cuter!  Oh my goodness what a sweet flower girl she made!  The evening was so perfect.  And golden hour made for a wonderful stroll with the couple around the Inn.  We also had a visit from the resident cat!

After golden hour, Nicole and Cory cut the cake and popped the bubbly with their family right before heading inside for a prepared dinner in the Inn.  That was my departure time.  It was such a joy to see the two families come together and prepare to eat and toast some more to the newlyweds.

Nicole and Cory also have a very sweet and romantic story of which I am sharing a few glimpse into below, followed by the vendors who helped make this unforgettable intimate wedding even more special!

Congratulations Nicole and Cory!  It has been a joy to serve you and your families on your Big Day!

The Love Story:

Cory was deployed in Kuwait this past year, and feeling emotionally ready, he decided to initiate an account with Tinder to try meeting new people. He was able to select the Washington DC area for his search, knowing that he would be coming home eventually. In parallel, Nicole hadn’t really been dating much int he last year. She was in a bit of an extended dry spell. A girlfriend at work teasingly suggested that she try Tinder. They sat through a meeting, swiping left and right, Cory being one of the guys that Nicole liked. Very quickly, the two became enamored through constant text messaging. Cory says that all the girls he’d been talking to were very generic in their conversation…there was a repetitive, boring nature to the exchanges. Nicole felt similarly. Guys were fixated on hiking and getting drinks. It was the same conversation over and over again. Whereas, with each other, Nicole and Cory found an immediate connection and interesting conversation that went beyond simple pleasantries and flirting. They talked about books and TV shows, experiences and life goals. They argued politics or talked about their families. Their texting eventually transitioned to phone calls and video chats. Cory would wake up at 4 AM in Kuwait to talk to Nicole at 9 PM in DC. Their days began to revolve around their 16-hour-time difference and maximizing opportunities to talk or skype. In late September, Cory finally came home. Nicole picked him up from Dulles Airport. They haven’t been apart since! They spent every holiday with each other’s families and Cory introduced his son, Dylan, to Nicole. Everything has felt like home to them ever since the first text message.

On New Years Eve they spent 12 hours in the car, driving Cory’s son, Dylan, back to his mother’s house in Indiana. By the time they got home, it was late, they were unshowered, exhausted, and hungry. They spent their first New Years Eve eating sushi, picnic style, on the living room floor, before passing out. The following day was spent laying around the house, resting, reading, and Cory doing homework. Around 6 or 7pm, Nicole was lying in bed, watching Netflix. Cory came into the room and leaned casually against the door frame. Their cat, Libbie, jumped up into bed with a sparkly silver ribbon tied around her neck. The engagement ring was attached and hanging down, along with a paper note. The note had the proposal written out. It was quiet, romantic, and private, and it incorporated Libbie, whom they both adore!

Thank you to these folks who helped to make this evening so perfect!

Venue: The Inn at Meander Plantation

Florals/Arbor: Good Earth Flowers

Shoes: Badgley Mischka

Menswear: Indochino

Tie: JC Penney

Maid of Honor Dress: Monique Lhuillier via Rent the Runway

Hair and Make Up: Kylene Short, Nicole’s sister and Maid of Honor

Catering/Cake: The Inn at Meander Plantation