DARA + NICK

Nick was Dara’s parents’ neighbor. While her house was being remodeled, Dara was living at her parents.  She would walk her dog, Baylor, every evening and would pass Nick’s house every time. He’d always be in his garage working on his Harley or truck. He’d say “hey”, she’d say “hey”, and then Baylor and Dara would continue their walk. “I thought he was just being neighborly.” This continued on like this for 9 months. Eventually, Baylor ventured up his driveway and into his garage, baited by the pheasant and turkey feathers Nick “accidentally” left out. Their nightly 15-minute walks then turned into 15 minutes of walking and 45 minutes of standing in Nick’s driveway talking until dark. Baylor – normally hesitant with male strangers, began to really like Nick. Dara figured if Nick won Baylor over, maybe she should give him a chance as well. After 9 months of waiting, Nick finally got the first date he had asked for many times before.

“My mom always told me that the only way I’d meet the perfect girl is if God dropped her at my front door.
I guess my driveway was close enough.”

Their first date wasn’t perfect. The two went to Alfonso’s for pizza and Dairy Bar for ice cream in Carrollton, Illinois. Everything was going great until they arrived in Murrayville and had a flat tire. Luckily, Nick knew someone who lived close by, and he plugged the tire and filled it back up. The debacle took an extra hour, and by the time they got the pizza they’d ordered, it was cold. But, despite the little mishaps, the date was perfect and the start of a year and a half of more dates and becoming a couple.

Then in the fall of 2022, after weeks of planning and rescheduling, Dara and Nick went to their favorite pumpkin patch. “We had been the weekend before (because I was impatient and wanted pumpkins). It was the last weekend of the season, and Nick lured me down there with the promise of an apple cider slushie. We then went through the wildflowers and apple orchard, when a photographer approached us and asked if we could stand in for a practice shot to test lighting. We made our way to where she was set up. Nick walked ahead of me, and by the time I got there, he was down on one knee with the ring. Next to him were pumpkins that said, “Will you marry me?” and my favorite color of mums. I, of course, said yes! Nick would like to add that it took a lot of convincing to get me to go to the pumpkin patch in a dress. Lucky for him, I had just come from a bridal shower. Afterward, we met both of our families in Carrollton for pizza and announced our engagement to them.”

They planned a day filled with flowers/nature and all the things they love – and wanted the day to be filled with time with one other and to celebrate their love and future together with their closest friends and family. Even though their first date might have started with a couple of hiccups, their wedding went off without a hitch! Check out Dara and Nick’s beautiful wedding day!

“She’s smart, kind-hearted, giving and helpful towards others, a good cook, beautiful, supportive and reliable, (usually) willing to try new things, has similar interests as me, a great problem-solver, and always shares her snacks with me.”  – Nick’s favorite things about Dara“He is smart, strong-willed, independent, kind-hearted, has a strong work ethic, has a great sense of humor and can always make me laugh, is very outgoing (which is the complete opposite of me), and always makes me try new things and experiences.” -Dara’s favorite things about NickWhat did you look most forward to on your wedding day?
Nick’s response: the first look before the ceremony and actually being married.
Dara’s response: seeing Nick all dressed up and finally getting to call him my husband.Ceremony: Our Saviour Catholic Church, Jacksonville, IL This is the exact moment that will live on in Dara & Nick’s hearts forever… Exchanging vows and the everlasting commitment they require. When Dara and Nick wanted to do their photos in between the ceremony and reception in the neighborhood they met and now call home, we loved the idea of it but were reserved to plan for the entire time there in the case that there weren’t optimum photo opportunities there. We always want to fulfill the wishes of our couples but also want to deliver the best possible photos, and all locations don’t unfortunately always provide the best lighting and backdrop. But boy did Nick and Dara’s neighborhood deliver! We were absolutely thrilled with the little bridge area, the evenly lit area for wedding party, and of course we are total suckers for a willow tree!Dara and Nick’s house was so charming, and their sweet dog Baylor who essentially brought them together had to be part of the photos as well! Nick’s 2003 Ford Lightning, which he has owned since he was 15 was something the two spent MANY nights in the garage installing the supercharger. They have also spent countless hours cleaning the truck and have been to numerous car shows together showing the Lightning, so of course they needed a few photos with it as well. “Since our first date and many, many subsequent dates were for ice cream, we wanted to incorporate it into our big day. After a lot of looking around and trying to find someone that would bring ice cream to our reception, Nick decided to just buy soft-serve ice cream machines. This also led to us starting an ice cream catering business.” First Dance Song: I Can Love You by Gary Allan

Dara & Nick’s advice to future couples getting married:
Don’t sweat the small stuff. No one but you will know if something isn’t perfect.
Make sure your dress and shoes are comfortable – you’ll be wearing them ALL DAY, and you will probably need to go to the bathroom at some point.
Assign someone you trust to do the final touches at the reception venue after the ceremony – it relieves a lot of stress.
Make sure you eat and drink water before the ceremony.
Plan some alone time together during the day either before or after the ceremony.
Don’t try to rush through the day. Enjoy the experience!

JR LeVora – MC and Photobooth
Deb Casson (owner of Barney’s in Jacksonville) – Caterer
HollyCakes in Jacksonville – Wedding cake
Girls in White Satin in Jacksonville – Wedding dress, bridesmaids dresses, and tuxes

The two are looking forward to “growing and learning together, starting a family, supporting and loving each other.” 

Dara & Nick will honeymoon together in Hawaii this winter, and call Jacksonville IL home.