Interview with our AMAZING couple, Nicole + Jason:
HOW DID YOU MEET? We met in 2008 at a mutual friend’s house. Months later we met again at Lillians in Gainesville during football season and spent every weekend of the fall getting to know each other.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR HUSBAND? His persistence and his ability to make me laugh.
WHAT ATTRACTED YOU THE MOST TO YOUR WIFE? Her adventurousness and always being up for anything. And she put up with my Florida Gators Sports obsessions.
HOW DID HE PROPOSE? All of Nicole’s friends were invited to Gainsville for a football game and for the proposal (Nicole had no idea). She thought she was coordinating the whole thing even though Jason had every step planned out. After a nice dinner with friends they went to Lillian’s, the place they first met…the second time. When the band took a break that night Jason got down on one knee and asked Nicole to marry him.
WHAT INSPIRED YOUR VISION FOR YOUR WEDDING? We wanted the outdoors around the water and for everyone to have the kind of fun that everyone has at a tailgate. This is why we went with lawn games and a very relaxed atmosphere.
TELL US ABOUT FINDING YOUR VENUE: We looked all over both the east and west coast of Florida and were unable to find our ideal place. We wanted an ocean wedding at first but the moment we visited Cypress Grove we fell in love with the place. It was such a beautiful place with water and plenty of greenery and a beautiful lawn for our games.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE DESIGN ELEMENT OF YOUR WEDDING? There were so many special details in our wedding that we can’t pick just one as our favorite. The atmosphere was wonderful and there was something for everyone.
DID YOU HAVE ANY DIY DETAILS? Almost everything at our wedding were special details. Jason, his father and some friends made the lighted corn hole boards. The Row boat was used during the engagement photo shoot and then filled with ice for drinks. The J/N logo was custom made and then put on the coozies, as well as made out of wood as the center piece of the gazebo. Our officiant was one of our best friends Michelle, that we both felt should have been standing on our each side.
WHAT WAS THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT OF YOUR WEDDING DAY?
Nicole’s: Our first dance. Jason learned some waltz moves earlier that week and the first time they were able to practice dancing was the day before the wedding.
Jason’s: Watching Nicole walk down the stairs. She was a beautiful bride.
DESCRIBE YOUR CAKE: We had 4 different flavors of cupcakes. Our large personal cupcake was a champagne raspberry. We also had a shocktop cupcake, chocolate mint. We had mini apple pies and brownies. Just like the rest of the wedding it was something for everyone.
HOW WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER? The photographers were great. Jason was just like another one of the guys while hanging out before the wedding and seemed to be all over the place during the reception. Sara was always several steps ahead and very much on top of things. She did a fabulous job making sure everyone smiled or laughed genuinely. If there was something specific we wanted pictures of they made sure it happened.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU AND YOUR HUSBAND AS A COUPLE? A 2 week honeymoon in Hawaii. Then we move to Port Charlotte where Jason start’s working as a Veterinarian.
CAN YOU PLEASE LIST YOUR VENDORS:
Wedding Planner: Tickled Pink Brides, Brittany Sobering and Terri Greene
Cypress Grove Park Estate House, current caterers: Big City Catering
Flowers: Fiora
Cupcakes: The Sugar Suite
Band: Serenade Of Souls
Photographers: Concept Photography, Jason and Sara Martin