NICOLE + DAN

In November 2016, Nicole downloaded Tinder to get back into dating after the encouragement from a friend. Dan had been using it for a year but hadn’t met anyone who wanted a serious relationship. Nicole checked out three profiles and Dan’s popped up right away. His caption had the word “Nerd” in it, which immediately made her laugh. The two started messaging and discovered they had a lot in common. They set their first date to be one week from then.
They met at St. Charles Lanes for bowling where Nicole bowled absolutely horribly. Dan kept making her laugh while they talked about their favorite video games and tv shows. After bowling they went to Wasabi for sushi where Nicole ordered the Batman roll, her favorite roll. Dan’s favorite DC character is Batman! He knew right then and there that it was a sign.
Nicole loved Dan’s ability to make her laugh and help her step back from her serious attitude. Dan loved her good hearted nature and nerdy behavior. They both knew this was much more than just a one night stand or fling. They were both looking for a serious relationship and knowing those shared expectatins helped any soothe nerves regarding what to expect if things went well.
Dan and Nicole knew early on that they wanted to be together forever. Dan says he knew from the moment Nicole picked the Batman roll. Nicole knew a month after when her best friend had found her lost cat and she brought him home. Dan came over and immediately wanted to win the cat over even though he had never owned a pet. She knew he’d make an amazing cat dad and husband.
Dan’s loves Nicole’s ability to care. She never lets a friend or family member down. She cares greatly in everything she does and the joy she gets from it makes him smile. He also loves her fighting spirit. Nicole’s favorite thing about Dan is his loyalty. Not just to family and friends but to even his favorite football team who have not had a good season in a while.
On March 19th 2019, Dan had planned a date night to Wasabi so they could relive their first date (minus the bowling). Secretly he had made a plan with both his parents and Nicole’s to meet them in St. Charles so that they could be there for the proposal. Upon arriving at the Streets of St. Charles, Nicole immediately spotted her parents and Dan’s at which point Dan got down on one knee and popped the question!
The two planned their wedding, knowing that no matter what happens in life they will always have one another to rely on. They made the commitment to never let each other down, and always put their relationship first. “Video Game Player 1 & 2” – their favorite saying from a Valentine’s card and now their reference of love to each other.

We are thrilled to share this beautiful wedding day today!! Enjoy a look at Nicole and Dan’s beautiful day!
A little less than 2 weeks before their wedding day, Nicole and Dan discovered that their wedding venue would not be able to accommodate their reception due to COVID restrictions. So the two had to cut their guest list even further and host a reception in Nicole’s parent’s backyard.
“The laws for the county was no more than 50 people. This was really hard to accept because Dan has a huge family and it was hard to know all of them couldn’t be there. Nicole’s family weren’t able to travel in either, so it was just immediate family, the wedding party, and close family friends.”
While it was stressful and not what they envisioned, one look at these photos and you’ll see that it was absolutely PERFECT!!One of our favorite first dances! Nicole and Dan just had so much fun with their first dance, and it was as if at that moment all the stress of wedding planning in 2020 melted off and they just fully enjoyed the moment!

First Dance: Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You by Frankie Valli Father Daughter: I Loved Her First by Heartland Mother Son: My Wish by Rascal FlattsA very coordinated and sober sparkler celebration before the sky is pitch black is the ONLY way to create this magical moment!!

How did Covid-19 change your plans?

“COVID changed the size of our wedding and our location many times. We had changed the venue three times before deciding to host it in Nicole’s parents backyard.”

What were the biggest challenges when you knew your date would not be how you initially envisioned?

“Honestly as long as we could have 50 people then we were determined to just make it as close to what we’d imagined. The constant venue change was the hardest part for Nicole as she’s a planner and the frequent change made that hard. Once the decision was made for the backyard, everything was so much easier.”

What moment did you look the most forward to on the wedding day?

Getting to celebrate with everyone after all the uncertainty of even getting to have our day . Between our parents and the wedding party, everyone worked so hard to decorate and make everything absolutely perfect. Everyone earned a wonderful night to celebrate and it was exactly that, absolutely wonderful.

What was your favorite moment of your day?

For Nicole: getting a private moment with Dan right before attending the reception, it was good to get to sit together and soak in the moment For Dan: our first dance. We didn’t rehearse at all and it still turned out so much fun which is what we wanted.

If you could do it all over, would you change anything?

We wouldn’t change a thing. COVID added more stress and worry, there is no doubt on that. And kept it from being the large event we planned with our extended families and friends but the private ceremony we had just felt so much more complete. It was an amazing day and we have absolutely no regrets.

For couples experiencing the fallback of rescheduling or going forward with an event with less guests in attendance please don’t put off the wedding because of COVID. We know the struggle is real to make it happen and its hard to accept lowering your wedding guest number, but the intimacy we had that day with our small wedding was perfect!

Honeymoon Location:

We did a stay honeymoon and just had fun being home for a week. We’re saving up to go to Japan next year when COVID settles down!

Wedding Professionals who made the day a success:
Artistry on Cake
Reputations Salon
Receptions by Robin
The Grand Rental
Soulard Florist

The two call Swansea, IL home

Check out more of this beautiful day with the slideshow below!