The entire romance was filled with Nicholas Sparks meeting a lifetime movie.
Tell us a little about yourselves, what you do, what you love…
Nathan works in finance and is a California Native who moved to Austin, Texas and fell in love with Native Texan Meredith, who is in technology sales, all through the connection made via Bumble. On their first date, Meredith learned that Nate loves Formula 1 and has the car knowledge and passion to match. This worked for Meredith as her passion was travelling to see the world, and car shows happen to be in beautiful places. While Nate likes meat and potatoes (and that is it), Meredith will be the first to eat whatever adventurous food that is put in front of her. They both have strong relationships with their families, but most importantly both have a strong relationship with God and prioritized that in their courtship.
How/where/when did you meet – and what were your first impressions?
Mer and Nate met on Bumble and both did not want to go on their first date. Mer had spent years looking for Nate, and discouragement was in front of their brain. Nate was frustrated with dating, and with both of them separately ready to give up – they called their moms, and both encouraged them to show up on the date. Meredith showed up and was floored at this complete hunk that was walking towards her. Nate was refreshed with Meredith’s natural way of laughing at his jokes and being curious about him. Mer left knowing something was different, and Nate was unable to keep his excitement to himself.
When did you first realise that this was someone you’d like to spend the rest of your life with?
It was something both of us were quite sure of pretty quickly; we got along so perfectly, and often, people would comment we were made that we were perfect for each other. Nate told Meredith he loved her 45 days after meeting her, and she felt like she was having an out-of-body experience. She looked over at Nate and realized she was looking at her husband. That moment was a gift from God in the form of clarity.
Was there a proposal? Tell us a little about it…
The entire romance was filled with Nicholas Sparks meeting a lifetime movie, so the proposal was on a Sunday, 7 months after the two started dating. Nate got the help of Meredith’s best friend Jillian and recreated their first date, but not after taking her to get her hair blown out. The entire staff at the restaurant was in on it and dropped small one-liners to make the lunch so dreamy Meredith didn’t eat purely out of anticipation. Then he took her to a beautiful lookout, got down on one knee and without a single filler word or pause, grabbed Meredith’s hands, and the whole world stopped as tears ran down her cheeks, hearing the words she had desired from a man even half as good as Nate. She barely got the words “yes!” out, and they celebrated that night with a family dinner with her family loving and supporting them with love.
What was one element you were happy to splurge on?
Top-tier food and a great planner.
Did anything happen on your wedding day that you laugh about in hindsight (even if it was stressful at the time)?
We had 12 powder cannons shoot off multi-colour poofs above the altar, and when we tested it out, we tested it with one. On the day it went off, it shocked 70% of the wedding guests. Sorry, Grandmom!
Tell us about your main outfits, what was unique, is there a story?
Meredith has always loved fashion, but Nate is truly passionate about it. While Meredith’s dress was unique and required about $3k of alterations to make it just right – Nate took such detail in sticking to designers that have always served him well in life, like Ralph Lauren. The shawl collar spoke to Nate’s desire to have a European flair to all fashion choices, while his shoes personalized to our hand drawn monogram are specialty made in Spain. The pin that Nate wore in his tuxedo is an ode to the bluebonnets that Meredith grew up around and will be something brought down over time, and God-willing their children will incorporate it in their wedding day one day. The fashion pieces that made a splash were the hats Meredith customized and made herself for the speakeasy during the ceremony.
LOCATION The Arlo in Austin, USA, @eventsatthearlo PHOTOGRAPHER Julie Wilhite Photography, @juliewilhitephotography PLANNER Verve Events, @verveeventplanning FLORIST Remi & Gold, @remiandgold CELEBRANT Evan Richardson, @ryver_runs_wild CATERING Contigo Catering, @contigocatering STATIONERY Invitations and Day of Paper – Aryn Graves, @aryngravescalligraphy HIRE Lighting – ILIOS Productions, @ilios_productions; Perch – Perch Décor, @percheventdecor; Whim Hospitality, @whimhospitality; Table Manners, @tablemannerstx; Linens – Nuage Designs, @nuagedesignsinc; BBJ La Tavola, @bbjlatavola; Draping – Quest Events, @quest_events Dance floor – Centerstage Floors, @centerstage_floors VIDEOGRAPHER PhotoHouse Films, @photohousefilms RENTALS Loot Rentals, @lootrentals ENTERTAINMENT Band – Manhattan – Jordan Kahn Music Company, @jordankahnorchestra; Ceremony Singer – Jimmy McNeal, @jimmymcneal; Cocktail Hour – Moontower Entertainment, @moontowerentertainment; Speakeasy Music – Vinyl Mnky, @vinylmnky; The Original Butt Sketch, @theoriginalbuttsketch GROOM’S CAKE Susie Cakes, @susiecakesbakery OFFICIANT Evan Richardson EXIT CAR Boulevard Chauffeur, @boulevardchauffeur CEREMONY SMOKE & GRAND EXIT Big Dog Pyro, @bigdogpyro SHUTTLES Transportation Consultants, @transportationconsultants BRIDAL DRESS Oscar de la Renta, @oscardelarenta BRIDAL BOUTIQUE Casa De Novia, @cdnbridal HAIR & MAKEUP Luna Beauty and Bridal, @lunabeauty_bridal TUX Ralph Lauren, @ralphlauren; DSquared2, @dsquared2 GROOM’S SHOE Ana Marttin, @anamarttinshoes GROOM’S HAIR Spoke and Weal, @timpatrickhair
