The Wedding Story of Nina and Marc Kieleszewski

There’s nothing like a fun-filled road trip. You never quite know where it will take you. MIx in a couple of friends of friends and you not only add a little mystery but a chance to really get to know one another! At a minimum, you have some new people in your life to call friends or–as it was in Nina and Marc’s case–more than friends! When a few of Nina’s girlfriends had to cancel on a girls trip to Nashville, Tennessee, her friend invited Marc and his friend to drive with them. Little did they know the fun trip would mark the beginning of a lifelong journey together.
 

After getting engaged, Nina and Marc set their wedding planning into motion. Nina says, "I wanted to elope in Iceland, but Marc wanted his huge Polish (hence the last name) family there.” Getting in some practice for their lifetime of decision-making together, they met in the middle and aimed for a small, outdoor summer of fall wedding–an idea that changed and evolved too, as the hunt for the perfect venue began.

 

After spending a few months trying to find something they would love, they failed to find anything that felt exactly right. A friend’s suggestion led them to The Inn at St. John’s. Nina says, “We looked at each other, smiled and knew it was exactly what we wanted.” The space wasn’t just beautiful, it was perfect for any kind of weather. “The atrium brings the outdoors inside,” Nina explains. “The glass ceiling, brick walls, greenery and street lamp posts makes it feel like you are dining in a courtyard and dancing under the stars. Linda, the coordinator, is amazing and with such a short time to plan, I trusted her to ensure things went smoothly.”

Nina, in fact, planned her wedding in only three months. Her labor of love resulted in a beautiful wedding based on her favorite color of burgundy. She knew it would be a stunning contrast to her white dress and loved the romantic feel of the season and snow. Her florist, Ruby Slipper Design, created an equally romantic feel in her florals. “My bouquet was made up of ivory and deep red garden roses with a few burgundy dahlias and loose greenery,” Nina says. “I wanted the look to be loose and romantic and wild.” Three small photographs of Nina’s grandparents were also attached to her bouquet in their honor and memory. Her decor featured the same flowers with hydrangeas added to the centerpieces. An extra special touch was a wooden cross that the couple stood before, designed by Nina’s father, a builder and carpenter.

 

Nina’s Casablanca gown was one of the first she tried on at Elizabeth’s Bridal Manor. Accompanied by her best friend and maid of honor, who flew in specifically to surprise her for birthday and wedding dress shopping, Nina began her search for on a low-back dress. “We didn’t even have a venue or a date booked at that time,” Nina recalls. “I ended up going to another shop that day just to look, but purchased the first dress the very same day.”
 

Nina and Marc found that handpicking their vendors and ensuring they had a real connection with them, paid off in the end. Nina says, “The people that were there, not just guests, but vendors, made the day what it was–perfect.”

 

What We Love

Nina looked at Pinterest and any magazine she could get her hands on. We absolutely love that WeddingDay was a part of Nina’s wedding planning as well! Nina says,”I received a copy of the magazine with a bottle of champagne from one of my bridesmaids as an engagement gift!

 

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