Miranda + Nick by Nardia Niles & Dan Niles

Our vision was to create a day that felt like a romantic escape.

Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…

We are soulmates and best friends who, after more than a decade together, still feel as happy and foolish as we did when we first started dating. Our partnership is built on a foundation of deep comfort and mutual admiration. Nick has always loved my intelligence and independence, but also what he calls a purity and innocence in the way I care for others. For I’ve always admired Nick’s ability to grasp the essence of any matter so quickly; he’s the person I rely on for important decisions. More than that, he gives me his full attention and has always supported me in being my true self, which is a rare and beautiful gift. Our life together is filled with a dynamic we cherish—we can talk non-stop and laugh until our faces hurt, but we can also sit in comfortable silence, each doing our own thing. We believe marriage is the ultimate partnership, a grand adventure to share. This philosophy extends to every part of our lives, from our creative pursuits, like the music we play together, to our little family, which includes our beloved dog, Leia, who proudly served as our ring bearer.

How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?

Our story began back in college in 2011. Destiny brought us to the same place, a dinner party hosted by our mutual friend Samuel, who was actually Nick’s best man at our wedding. But it wasn’t a “love at first sight” moment; we remained just acquaintances for the next three years. The real beginning came from a fateful (and slightly confused) social media post. In 2014, I asked if anyone wanted to go see the movie Frozen. Nick immediately replied, “Yes,” privately thinking I had meant the movie Ice Age. We laugh about it now, but in the end, we compromised and went to see Jurassic Park instead. It was that quirky, funny, and spontaneous shared movie experience that changed everything. A little while after that, we started dating, and the rest is history. It wasn’t a dramatic lightning bolt, but a slow and wonderful realization that we had found our favorite person to spend time with, no matter what we were doing.

Tell us about the vision you had for the mood and style of your wedding. (theme, key styling elements, florals, colour palette etc.).

Our vision was to create a day that felt like a romantic escape to the European countryside, infused with the warmth and intimacy of our own cultural heritage. We were fortunate to find a venue in California that gave us the feeling of a private Tuscan estate, with its beautiful old-world stone and sprawling vineyards. This allowed us to have the destination wedding aesthetic we dreamed of, without the difficulty of long-distance travel for our families. The mood we wanted was elegant, serene, and deeply personal. We weren’t chasing trends; instead, we wanted a timeless aesthetic that we could look back on in 50 years and still adore. The core of our theme was “understated romance.” This translated into a soft and natural color palette of muted blush, sage green, and creamy whites. Key styling elements included lush, organic florals that felt as though they were naturally part of the landscape, elegant tableware, and touches of calligraphy. It was also incredibly important for us to honour our families, so we thoughtfully wove in elements of our Chinese heritage, like the traditional tea ceremony, to create a day that was a true blend of our past, present, and future.

What styling and visual elements worked best for you? (could be things, the florals, particular hire products or your marquee, etc., something the stylist created or simply just the scenic beauty of your location or the existing design of your venue).

For us, the most special moments came from the blend of the familiar and the personal. We loved the timeless romance of a classic vineyard wedding—the white dress, the outdoor ceremony under a beautiful oak tree, and a reception under the stars. That setting was the perfect canvas for the day. What made it feel truly ours was weaving in elements of our Chinese heritage. The tea ceremony was a vital part of the day, a way to honour our families. The vibrant red of my Qipao felt so joyful against the natural, earthy tones of the vineyard. We wanted to carry that spirit of inclusion into the reception, so we chose to have the menus printed in Chinese, which was a small touch that meant a great deal to our families. And instead of a first dance, which isn’t really “us,” we decided to perform a duet with the Guzheng and flute. It felt like a more natural way for us to share a piece of our story and our gratitude with everyone. It was seeing all these parts come together—the classic and the cultural, the visual and the musical—that made the day feel whole and, most importantly, like us.

What did you enjoy most about the planning process, and do you have any tips for couples starting their wedding planning journey?

What we enjoyed most was the creative process of making the wedding a true reflection of us. It was more than just picking colours and flowers; it was about curating an experience. We loved planning the details that would tell our story, like selecting the music for our duet and designing the stationery that would give our guests the first glimpse into our day. A particularly special part of the planning was designing the Chinese tea ceremony with our parents. It was a beautiful way to connect with them and honour our heritage. Our biggest tip for couples is to choose two or three elements that are the most important to you and make those your priority. For us, it was the venue and the guest experience. It helps to anchor your decisions and your budget. Also, remember to carve out moments for just the two of you. On the morning of the wedding, we had a quiet brunch together before everything began. It allowed us to connect and be present with each other before the joyful whirlwind of the day.

Tell us about your vendors. Were there any standout suppliers you would like to make special mention of?

We were so fortunate to work with a team of vendors who were not only incredibly talented but also genuinely invested in our vision. Our wedding planner was our rock, guiding us through every decision with patience and impeccable taste. The photographer was a true artist, capturing the light and the intimate, fleeting moments in a way that felt so authentic and timeless. Our stylist’s artistry was incredible; she designed six distinct looks for me over the course of the day, and each one perfectly complemented the dress and the theme of that particular moment. Our florist’s work was breathtaking, turning an already beautiful space into something magical. And of course, the venue itself was more than just a location; The team was instrumental in creating the seamless, welcoming atmosphere we had dreamed of. Every single vendor played a crucial role in bringing our day to life, and we are eternally grateful for their passion and dedication.

Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, and is there a story?

Each of our outfits was carefully chosen to reflect the different moods and moments of our day, creating a visual story that we shared together. We began with soft, romantic looks for our earlier, more intimate photoshoots. I wore an ethereal halter-neck gown from the Chinese independent designer, Yu Ai, whose work I admire. To complement its delicate, vintage-inspired lace, Nick wore a handsome light grey suit. Later, for the Chinese tea ceremony, I changed into a traditional red Qipao. This was deeply meaningful, as red symbolizes joy, luck, and happiness in Chinese culture, and wearing it was a way to honour our families and heritage. For the main ceremony, we transitioned to a more classic and timeless aesthetic. I changed into a strapless A-line gown made of ethereal, flowing fabric with an elegant thigh-high slit, which felt both romantic and chic. Nick changed into a classic black suit with a vest to match the formal elegance of the moment. Finally, for our duet performance in the evening, I wore the dress I had on when we signed our marriage documents a year before the wedding. It felt incredibly significant to bring that piece of our private history into our public celebration, connecting our official commitment to this joyful moment with our loved ones.

Tell us about your wedding and engagement rings.

Our rings are a reflection of our approach to style and partnership—both individual and harmonious. For the engagement ring, we were drawn to the clean, understated elegance of an emerald cut. Its simplicity feels timeless, and we chose a setting with two baguette side stones that we feel enhance its classic beauty without being ornate. When it came to our wedding bands, we decided against a traditional matching set. It was more important to us that we each chose a design that we personally loved and that spoke to our individual styles. My band is a delicate, curving ribbon of diamonds from Harry Winston, while my husband chose a spiral band from Graff. We believe our connection isn’t defined by having identical rings, but by the life we build together. Ultimately, we wanted to wear pieces of jewelry that we will cherish forever and that feel authentic to each of us, rather than compromising on a matched set.

What were one or two elements that were most important to you both that you were happy to spend a little more on? (food, photography, florals, the venue, your outfits?).

The two elements we prioritized were the venue and the photography. We knew that the setting would define the entire atmosphere of the day, so finding a venue that felt like a private, romantic escape was essential. We wanted a place that was beautiful on its own and provided a stunning backdrop for every part of our celebration, from the ceremony in the vineyards to the reception under the stars. We were happy to invest in that. Equally important was photography. These images are the memories we will keep forever, and we wanted a photographer whose artistic style we loved and who could capture the day’s emotions authentically. We knew that these beautiful, tangible memories would be priceless long after the day was over.

Was there a favourite moment (or two) that you will treasure always?

Without a doubt, our most treasured memory was the profound feeling of having all our closest loved ones together in one place. Our guest list was intimate, with around 40 people, but these are the individuals who have shaped our lives. They traveled from all over the world to be with us—from different coasts of the US and even from provinces in China. Knowing that some had journeyed for more than ten hours just for us was incredibly humbling. The past year has brought some significant personal challenges for our family, reminding us just how precious life can be. To be able to gather everyone—every single person we hold dear, including our fur baby Leia, our special symbol of union—in one beautiful place for a moment of pure celebration felt like a miracle. It was more than a wedding; it was a powerful affirmation of life, resilience, and the love that holds us all together. That feeling is something we will cherish forever. A second moment that was uniquely ours was our duet performance. Instead of a first dance, we shared a piece of music on the Guzheng and flute. It felt like the most honest way to express our gratitude and our partnership, creating something beautiful together for the people we love most.