Nicki + Ari
Location:
Wild Rabbit Farms in Clayton, WA
Nicki envisioned her wedding as a celebration of everything she and her husband love — her favorite season, fall, and his passion for the outdoors — with a touch of her signature glam. Drawing inspiration from the full spectrum of autumn hues, she wove wooden stumps, natural textures, and heartfelt handmade details throughout the day. Her mom created the mirror seating chart, signage, and stump name cards, while her dad crafted the simple syrup for their signature spicy margaritas.
To make the most of their time with loved ones, the couple transformed their celebration into a weekend affair, complete with an 80s-themed roller-skating night and a casual post-wedding BBQ. Despite a powerful windstorm just days before, the skies cleared for a warm, picture-perfect fall day. With 65 guests gathered, the intimate setting overflowed with joy and personal touches, allowing Nicki to finally see all of her meticulous planning come to life.
Her number one tip for future brides? Stay organized. Nicki compiled vendor files, inspiration photos, and even a PowerPoint to keep everything in one place. The extra effort made the day virtually stress-free, freeing her to enjoy every moment while trusting her team to bring her vision to life.
What was the vision for your wedding?:
Fall is my favorite season, and I wanted to capture its beauty through the wedding colors, using a full spectrum of autumn shades to make it unique. My husband loves the outdoors, while I enjoy adding a touch of glam to it, so we aimed for an elegant, classy, and fun twist on an outdoor wedding. To reflect our love for nature, we incorporated elements like wooden stumps and natural accents into the décor. I wanted our personalities to pop while including special touches, such as handmade items, such as wooden stump name cards, a mirror seating chart, and signs made by my Mom. While my Dad created the simple syrup for spicy margaritas from their home garden. We envisioned an intimate, smaller wedding filled with memorable activities, so we turned it into a weekend celebration, including an 80s-themed roller-skating night and a relaxed BBQ after the wedding.
How did it go on the day of?:
The day was absolutely perfect—everything I had hoped for and more. Just two days before the wedding, a massive windstorm swept through the area, but by the big day, the skies had cleared for a warm, perfect fall wedding. The wedding was intimate and filled with joy, surrounded by our closest family and friends. Although I was very nervous at first, seeing everyone we cared about there to support us put me at ease. We had about 65 guests, and it was incredibly special to see all our loved ones together in one place. As a planner, it was hard for me to picture it all coming together, but seeing my vision come to life was amazing—like a delightful surprise, even though I had chosen every detail.
What is your #1 tip to future brides?:
My advice to future brides is to stay as organized as possible. I created files for each vendor and collected photos to capture all my ideas and visions. I even compiled everything into a PowerPoint, which kept all my plans in one place. This preparation made the day stress-free because I could clearly communicate what I envisioned, allowing others to bring it to life. The time I invested in organizing everything paid off, as it allowed me to relax and enjoy the day while trusting others to work their magic.
