Vetz: Nicki + Adam = Industrial-Chic Wedding

This industrial-chic wedding hitched two incredible vets: one as the animal doctor, and the other as the USAF military working dog handler. Want to guess who’s a tattoo lover and who’s a chef?

Nicki, a veterinarian and a tattoo lover, got connected with me on Facebook a few years ago. After some excited following, she started considering participating in our annual Boudoir Marathons. We missed one, she got engaged, and went for this year’s special marathon as a gift to her fiance (enjoy a sample of that beauty below). Adam, a veteran USAF military working dog handler who served in 2003-2011 including Iraq and Afghanistan, went for cooking career in several schools and is now a certified sommelier (that’s why you see that $120 Michter’s 10 Year Bourbon Whiskey which they tasted to seal their husband-and-wife pronouncement at the altar).

Nicki and Adam are anything but a cliché couple and “industrial-chic wedding” was written all over. For starters, Nicki was getting ready at a hotel but not in some fancy suite which still gets tight but in an unpretentious meeting room. I’ve seen so many of them back in my corporate life of 11 years… “Better spend money elsewhere”, she might have thought and ordered herself and the bridal party metal bouquets. Hey, you can laser-etch your date on them! Why have the same color for the bridesmaids’ dresses? Let’s coordinate them with the colors of their wedding mugs! Or vice versa, not sure. But custom-print those mugs for each lady’s passion! Why go with Louboutin or Jimmy Choo iconic bridal shoes if the designers didn’t verge on adding LED lights into them? Irregular Choice flashing shoes to the rescue! Deciding on the officiant’s religious denomination? Just go with The Universal Life Church minister, for he’s a pal of yours already! A handsome little ring boy carrying fake rings on a puffy pillow? Pfft. Get that (still handsome) hazmat agent bring the real rings in a securely sealed container! Traditional guestbook? Nah, a signed paper trophy is so much cooler! Plus, it is the trophy to remember our South Africa honeymoon! And who cares about a wedding cake? Make us a giant macaron which we’ll twist! (Do enjoy our duper awesome dessert table!)

There is always room for good ol’ touches, though. Not only did the groom get his first look but Nicki’s father had the same treat, first. And the handkerchiefs for the parents with some sewn sweet words? I’d be first to carry it next to my heart in the toughest situations.

Of course, this industrial-chic wedding wouldn’t be the real thing in just any venue. The couple found a perfectly fitting place, The Roundhouse. Set in a historic textile mill and former factory, this circular, boutique hotel complex is just about 2 hours away from NYC on Metro North. The ballroom features two glass walls offering floor-to-ceiling views of landscaped gardens and falls. All the needed elements are in place—exposed bricks, textured metal, aged wooden beams, barn doors, hardwood dance floor, rustic tablecloths, and of course, industrial light bulbs.

But what is a pearl without the crust? All of the bride’s natural beauty was highlighted by Ashley Daniela of De Cara Makeup and her classy sexiness elegantly draped into a L’amour gown by Calla Blanche from RK Bridal Salon. Adam’s snazzy outfit was rented from The Black Tux.

For the portraits, we went around the corner to the Roundhouse Beacon Restaurant, stopping on our way by some windowless brick building. Had some fun with those windows, then on to the bar for editorial portraits and more improvised fun. Adam must have been under stress of the big day, ’cause the bar patrons grew a bit impatient about applying his winery secrets to the booze.

I’ve just realized that I took a long break from publishing weddings… last one blogged five months ago! House buying, month-long ZORPHOTOPUR photography road trip around the country, and the birth of another daughter kept me busy, guys. Sorry I cannot blog all the beautiful and unique weddings. Couldn’t resist this industrial-chic wedding, what an incredible feat! I may squeeze a couple of cool ones before the New Year.

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