Nicola & Gabe knew they didn’t want a big fancy affair for their wedding day. They wanted simple and sweet surrounded by those they love most. So when these two started planning their wedding, it was only natural that a civil ceremony would be the perfect fit. They did some research and found that their wedding would take place at the Hickory Police Department. Not the most glamorous idea, but that didn’t matter to these two.
The Hickory Plan
When you have a civil ceremony, you don’t have a ton of control. You can try and plan a day and even a time, but it’s really up to the magistrate and how many other people are waiting in line. So with a little bit of buffer in their schedule, Nicola and Gabe chose a date and time and told everyone to come along. We all knew the risks of having to wait awhile and we were all happy to do so. Just as long as these two love birds got to say “I Do” at the end, we were happy campers!
So we arrived at the Hickory Police Department at the scheduled time. Everyone was all smiles and laughter as Nicola and Gabe walked into the building to start the process. They walked back out moments later with a giant plot twist! The Hickory magistrate had called in sick for the day! No one would be able to marry them there.
The Newton Plan
Well that just wouldn’t do for Nicola and Gabe. So they packed up their family & friends and adventured over to the next town, Newton, to their local magistrate. On the way, they called ahead only to find that Newton was picking up most of the slack for Hickory and the likelihood of getting in before they closed would be slim. But, with their fingers crossed and hope on their side they chose to go for it anyways!
We all arrived at the Newton Police Department with all of our fingers, toes, and limbs crossed that they’d get in AND that we’d get to take pictures. These two had luck on their side…or maybe something a little more. After about a 30-40 minute wait the magistrate squeezed them in! Nicola and Gabe’s excited smiles were the biggest I’ve ever seen! IT WAS HAPPENING!
12 guests, two vendors (the magistrate and myself), and one head over heels couple squeeze into that tiny conference room. Just as they kinda…sorta… planned, Nicola and Gabe were surrounded by those they love and were married right then and there. It was PERFECT!
The Perfect Unplanned Plan
We managed to find a beautiful walking trail right behind the building where they were married. What was one more advenutre on this crazy wonderful day right? We gathered everyone together, celebrated with rose petals and group hugs. Then off to the woods we went for a few sweet photos of this new husband and wife!
Thank you Nicola & Gabe for choosing me to capture your amazing adventure of a wedding day! It was truly unique and truly YOU and I loved being part of it all!
XOXOXO,
Mabyn
Vendor shoutout to Becca Easterling for Nicola’s gorgeous hairstyle. Thistle Dew Nicely Florals & Gifts for a beautiful floral boquet.
