Though Nicole and Terry first met at the University of Delaware, where Nicole was a professor and Terry had a research fellowship, they worked in different fields of research so their paths didn’t cross much. “When I saw him around the department I thought he was very good looking but did not know much else about him,” explains Nicole. “We met again about three years later on Match, of all things!” After a few messages back and forth, and a little bit of research – according to Terry – they went on their first date. “It was incredible,” Terry recalls. “We sat in a local brewery for hours just talking, laughing, and feeling very relaxed. I was smitten and I couldn’t begin to tell you what I had for dinner that evening, but I can still recall much of our conversation and the things we laughed about… That was seven years ago.”
Who did you get ready with on your day? Why was it important for you to be with them?
Nicole: My girls! My step-daughter, Katja, my nieces Edie (maid of honor) and Lena, my sister-in-law Kelly, and my best friends in the galaxy, Lisa, Allison and Christina.
Terry: My son was my best man and helped with the process. I was happy he agreed to play that role and I hope he appreciated being asked to play that part. I think he was a little nervous at first, but he did a great job.
Is there a memory from getting ready that stands out in your memory?
Nicole: I think that we were all having such a good time, that no one really noticed the time! All of a sudden, I looked at the clock and said to the photographer, “Um, Nathan… shouldn’t we be getting ready or something?” It all worked out timing-wise, but it was kind of funny. Everyone was very content and very happy.
Terry: It was unusual to have a photographer following us around, capturing everything going on. Everything was so well planned and the staff at Glenmere were such great hosts, our wedding day was relaxed and easy for us.
What is the most important thing you’ve learned from one another?
Nicole: From Terry, I have learned that saying what you mean and meaning what you say, are incredibly important elements of any relationship. I have also learned that there are people out there – and there might only be a few – with whom you can truly be yourself, and that they will stand by you when you are at your very worst, or very best!
Terry: I wrote this in my vows and meant it. Nicole is the most patient and accepting person I have ever met, and there are things she does almost daily that reminds me that there are so many little easy things we can do to make our lives and the lives of those around us more enjoyable and harmonious.
There are people out there – and there might only be a few – with whom you can truly be yourself, and that they will stand by you when you are at your very worst, or very best!
Nicole
What was most important to you to achieve on your day?
Nicole: Since I was getting married perhaps a bit “older” than most, I just really wanted everyone to have a good time! And as my friend Paul said, our wedding was an “asshole-free zone,” so, mission accomplished! There was so much love and good feelings, I wish we could do this every weekend!
Terry: I wanted to do everything I could to make my mother-in-law feel relaxed. She worked incredibly hard for about 18 months planning our wedding weekend and I knew (we knew) it was important for her that everything went well and everyone had a great time. She did all the planning and all I really needed to do was answer the occasional question about what I would like to see or have and she made it happen. I can never thank her enough for everything she did.
What was the easiest wedding planning decision you made?
Nicole: Oh goodness… I didn’t really make them! My mom made them all, and made the day – not something from my dreams, because I could not really even have dreamt of something this good – but something that was 100% perfect for us.
The most difficult?
Nicole: Again, I refer you to my mom!
I will never forget the love and respect our guests showed by standing when Nicole first emerged... It made me emotional and so incredibly happy to have her in my life.
Terry
There was so much love and good feelings, I wish we could do this every weekend!
Nicole
What was the best planning advice you received?
Nicole: Our wedding planner, who was pretty amazing, tried her best to keep me to a schedule… I think I started really adhering to it about two months out… I wish I could go back and time and have been a better listener and been more on time!
What memory of each other on your day stands out most in your memory?
Terry: I will never forget the love and respect our guests showed by standing when Nicole first emerged from the doorway and into the courtyard. It made me emotional and so incredibly happy to have her in my life.
Nicole: Just being always close to Terry; it’s incredibly special to spend a perfect day with your best friend, lover and lifetime companion, making things official.
Did anything surprise you?
Nicole: I knew the band would be good… I did not know they would be that good. They were amazing. At some point, it just turned into a concert and we all faced the band and started pogo-ing.
Terry: No surprises, thanks to Anita’s and Ashley’s – our wedding planner – hard work.
Is there anything you would do differently?
Nicole: Again, if I could go back pre-wedding, I would have been more “on time” with my mom and wedding planner in terms of decisions. While I got much better two months out, it should have been sooner, for all of our sanities! It just wasn’t worth the bickering with my mom, as she was only trying to make it amazing for everyone. Again, mission accomplished!
Terry: I cannot think of anything I would do differently except try to spend a little more time with each guest, but I really don’t know if that would have been possible.
What were some of the most special moments of your day?
Nicole: Basically all of them — from getting ready, to getting my dress stuck on the door during the First Look (typical), to the ceremony officiated over by my brother who was incredible, and made the most perfect ceremony that represented us. To the cocktail hour and reception, and the after-party! Everything was amazing!
Terry: Looking at our family and friends gathering in the courtyard as we stood by the window in our suite. Seeing Nicole in her gown for the first time. The love we felt from everyone throughout the entire weekend. The toasts and speeches from family and friends. They made me laugh, they made me cry, and they made me proud to call them family and friends.
The toasts and speeches from family and friends. They made me laugh, they made me cry, and they made me proud to call them family and friends.
Terry
Credits
- Second Shooter Michelle Mosqueda
- Planning Ashley Douglass Events
- Design Fleurs NYC
- Dress, Ceremony Monique Lhuillier
- Dress, Reception Anna Maier
- Cake Lulu Cake Boutique
- Catering Laurence Craig Catering
- Hair & Makeup Arleigh Cole Hair and Makeup
- Lighting Social Event Decor
- Music Élan Artists, Ground Control
- Stationery Social Alchemy
With a graduate degree in painting, Nathan Smith brings a distinctly compositional sensibility to his work at The Day, where he is also known as the house philosopher. Having extensive experience living internationally, Nathan has a special ability to pick out the unique beauty of varying cultural traditions—something he is able to do whether the wedding is in New York or a more exotic destination.
