Danika & Nic were married on June 10 at the beautiful Maria’s Vineyard in Dothan. This vineyard serves up the “Southern Grape” creating muscadine wine. It also serves up a gorgeous location for an equally gorgeous couple to get married!
I am blessed to work with Danika at Carroll High School in Ozark, where she runs the best career prep class I’ve ever heard of. (Honestly she is a boss in that classroom and the kids love her.) So when she asked me to be their wedding videographer, I was so excited! Meeting Nic, I knew that he was perfect for Danika. He treats her like a princess, with love and respect—even though they cheer for two different SEC teams! (Roll Tide & Go Dawgs!) 😉
You will hear all about Nic’s sweet reaction to seeing Danika for the first time in his personal letter he reads during the ceremony, but here’s Danika’s version of how they met. “We met at a friend’s party. I was not paying him any attention, but apparently I caught his eye because as I walked by he literally fell out of his chair. He tried several times to take me out, but I was reluctant at first and stayed away. He was persistent and thank God he was because six weeks later we went on our first date and we’ve been together ever since.”
D & N’s proposal is straight out of an adrenaline junkie’s love book. That’s because Nic proposed right after jumping from a plane with an altitude of around 12,000 feet above the ground! “He had a huge sign on the ground that said ‘Marry Me’ and was waiting on one knee when I landed after him.”
A little behind the scenes here, I remember sitting at the teachers lunch table hearing Danika talk about their weekend plans and thinking, oh gosh! He’s going to propose! Then sneakily asking “so…will you have your nails done just in case?” Haha! #SouthernBrideProblems
Danika and her closest friends all wore matching floral robes as they sipped mimosas and enjoyed Zoe’s Kitchen (my favorite!) in the bridal suite at the vineyard. It was so sweet to see Danika with her closest friends who were her maid and matron of honor, Catie & Casie, reminiscing on all the fun they’ve had together and supporting her as she prepared for the best day of her life so far.
Nic and his groomsmen got dressed in the chapel, where I had the opportunity to witness the most heartwarming moment. As Nic’s Dad entered the chapel, his eyes welled up with tears. He wrapped his son up in a big hug and told him just how proud he was of him. Seeing a father’s love for his son is something that cannot be topped. So precious.
Danika & Nic chose not to do a first look, opting instead for a traditional ceremony reveal. As the doors opened to that rustic chapel, the crowd’s eyes couldn’t decide where to look— at the etherial bride gracefully and confidently walking towards her groom, or the proud groom, wiping tears away as he saw her escorted by her fathers. After Danika’s fathers gave her a kiss on the cheek, the ceremony began with the two reading personal notes they had written for each other in bibles.
There were few dry eyes as Danika finished her reading, then sang “I Get to Love You” to her groom. Obviously the Powell family is blessed with the gift of music, because as Danika & Nic completed the unity cross, Danika’s Mother sang while her Father played the guitar.
After the first kiss it was time for the cocktail hour and reception! The reception featured great food, gorgeous tablescapes fit for any storybook romance & yard games. From corn hole to giant Jenga, the guests had a blast sipping wine and playing games.
With the help of the DJ Don, the bride & groom and their guests danced the night away. And let me tell you, this crowd could cut a rug. I was having so much fun filming them I didn’t want to leave! PLUS. Smore’s bar. Enough said.
Thank you so much for having me be there to film your day. You two are so blessed to be surrounded by such a supporting group of family and friends, which was evident on your wedding day. I hope you’ll always have fun together and cheer louder than each other at football games. I also pray that Bama always beats Georgia, because Nic, you know a happy wife = a happy life.
Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Deal!!
-Megan
CEREMONY & RECEPTION VENUE: Maria’s Vineyard Dothan, AL
WEDDING PLANNER: Veronica Philpot
PHOTOGRAPHER: Lisa Strickland
FLORIST: Tina Tillotson
CAKE ARTIST: Tatiana Dolan
ENTERTAINMENT: DJ Don Dillard
MAKE-UP ARTIST: Erica Casey
BRIDE’S HAIR ARTIST: Allison Woodard
BRIDESMAID’S HAIR ARTIST: Brittany Burton
BRIDAL GOWN: The Little White Dress Shop in Ozark, AL
BRIDESMAIDS DRESS: Etsy – Armour sans Anguish
TUXES: Barefield’s in Ozark, AL
OFFICIANT: Greg Aman
INVITATIONS: Etsy – Sunnyprint / Presscraft Printing
TRANSPORTATION: Nic’s Dodge Ram Truck
