Louis & Nikai // Bell’s Banquet’s Wedding in Mt. Pleasant, PA

I can’t lie: the story of how Louis proposed to Nikai is one of my absolute favorite proposal stories. And I bet once you hear the story, you’ll agree with me!

About 2 years after meeting each other that amazingly fateful night in Connellsville, PA, Louis decided it was time to propose to Nikai. His 30th birthday was coming up & he thought, what better way could there be to celebrate his birthday than to ask Nikai to marry him? He enlisted the help of his Mom to pick out the perfect ring and together they went to Joyce’s Fine Jewelry in Uniontown, PA where Louis found the incredible & unique engagement ring he planned to propose to Nikai with.

Meanwhile, on the other side of town, Nikai (completely oblivious to Louis’s proposal plans) decided it would be a ton of fun to plan a surprise birthday party for Louis’s upcoming 30th birthday. She enlisted the help of (yep) Louis’s Mom to plan & pull the entire thing off. Thinking she was going to surprise the socks off of him, she invited all of their friends & family and prepped for a memorable night.

Little did she know just how memorable the night would actually turn out to be.

The night of the party/proposal arrived and everything went off without a hitch. Everyone gathered in silence & as Louis walked in, the whole group of his & Nikai’s friends & family screamed “Surprise!”

Louis literally beamed from ear to ear – just a moment passed before the initial shock of the surprise party passed & he realized that he couldn’t have planned the evening better if he had tried. He turned & thanked everyone for the wonderful surprise & for coming out, and then turned to Nikai: “There’s only one thing that would make this evening and my life even better.” And with that, he got down on his knee, pulled out that beautiful diamond ring he had bought, and asked Nikai if she would marry him.

Utterly shocked, but equally ecstatic, she said, “Yes!”

This past Saturday was finally the big day. With an outdoor ceremony planned, but the weather forecasters predicting rain, Louis & Nikai made the challenging decision to move their ceremony indoors. Literally nothing could dampen the immense joy that could be felt all around – not even the fact that the weather predictions turned out to be completely wrong as day turned out beautiful & sunny.

Louis & Nikai – you guys have been absolutely the best. Your love for each other & the joy that you both have from simply being together is absolutely refreshing. It’s fairly obvious that you belong together & it was my highest pleasure to be able to capture the memories of your “Day One”. I can’t wait to keep in touch & see where this life leads to two of you – together!

Nikai got ready in a cabin at Laurelville (where their outdoor ceremony was originally supposed to take place). I can’t lie: I am obsessed with all the little nods to Star Wars that Nikai & Louis incorporated into their wedding day!

Louis was trying so hard to hold back his emotions as his gorgeous bride walked down the aisle to him – it was literally the sweetest thing.

For about 3 minutes while we were taking family portraits, it did lightly rain. As quickly as it started it stopped though! Thankfully, the covered walkway at Bell’s was the perfect spot for family portraits (as the staff inside were flipping the ceremony space into reception space).

Ring bearers and flower girls are my favorite!

And then it was back to Laurelville for portraits! Nikai’s only request was that she wanted her photos to look like we were out in the woods (but without having to actually hike too far back). I am obsessed with all the green & this spot we found!

I’m still dying over Nikai’s bouquet! Her sister, Tara, created it for her & it was a masterpiece.

With so many little Star Wars details, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have a little fun with Louis & his groomsmen!

I cannot lie: there was one specific photo that I got during Nikai & Louis’s engagement session that I desperately wanted to recreate on Saturday. The only problem is that the image was 100% candid and there was no way I could “pose” them to recreate the image. So, I just crossed my fingers & hoped that I could coax the joyful Nikai & Louis from their engagement session out on their wedding day. Let’s just say, I silently did a super happy dance when I got this image!

They could be models – couldn’t they?

And then it was back to Bell’s where they had completely transformed the space from ceremony to reception!

I love a good bridal dance! One where the DJ plays the traditional Pittsburgh Polka (which keeps the dancing upbeat & lively), where the guests gather as they finish dancing to wave handkerchiefs & napkins in the air, and as the Mother & Father of the bride are the last to dance, the guests close in to keep the groom from getting in to his bride! Louis literally body surfed the crowd to get to Nikai & it was the best.

Afterward, I snuck Nikai & Louis outside for just a few quiet moments to themselves – to actually breathe & be with each other & take in the fact that they were married!

Huge shout-out and thank you to the amazing team of vendors, as well as friends & family, who helped make Louis & Nikai’s wedding day absolutely perfect!

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Bell’s Banquets in Mt. Pleasant, PA
Getting Ready & Formal Portrait Location: Laurelville Christian Retreat Center in Mt. Pleasant, PA
Catering: Bell’s Banquets in Mt. Pleasant, PA
Bridal Gown Designer: Maggie Sottero
Bridal Gown Retailer: Sorelle Bridal Salon in Washington, PA
Bridesmaids Gown Retailer: Show Me Your Mumu (online company)
Hair Artist: Rachel Szabo
Makeup Artist: Marina Stefano
Groom & Groomsmen Attire: The Hub Tuxedo Headquarters in Mt. Pleasant, PA
Invitations: TemplatesAndVectors (Etsy Artist)
Florist: DIY by the Bride’s sister, Tara
Cake: DIY by the Bride
Ring Designer: Joyce’s Fine Jewelry in Uniontown, PA
DJ: DJ Johnny Marco in Uniontown, PA
Officiant: Daniel Kerns
Transportation: Tortorice Limousine in McKeesport, PA
Videographer: Essington Creative in Shadyside, OH
Photographer: Kara Abbey Photography in Irwin, PA