Engaged 2023 | Page 84

JANUARY 22 , 2022 | SARA DREW PHOTOGRAPHY

The Meet Cute : During their sophomore year at Penn State University , the two had been in the same committee for THON , the Penn State IFC / Panhellenic Dance Marathon . In 2013 throughout the spring semester after THON , they really saw sparks fly between them and began dating .
The Engagement : Six years into their relationship in 2019 , Nate finally popped the question on their trip to Germany .
The First Look : “ Julia walked up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder to turn around ,” Nate says . “ She obviously looked beautiful , and we enjoyed the moment together . Then I asked her , ‘ Umm , didn ’ t you have a veil ?’ to which she gasped . She apparently had forgotten it in the car !” Thankfully , Julia was able to get it before walking down the aisle .
The Venue : The bowling alley at the Hope Artiste Village , where the cocktail hour was held , is originally from the mill days where workers could play duckpin bowling . Guests took it upon themselves to play a round of bowling before the ceremony and during the cocktail hour . “ We wanted to spend time with our guests instead of being away taking photos ,” Nate says . “ Everyone had a blast !”
The Details : The prominent doughnut wall illustrates their love for the frosted fried dough treat , and they wanted to share their adoration with their guests as well . “ Having doughnuts instead of cake is pretty trendy right now , and it fit the more relaxed , casual vibe we were going for ,” says Nate . “ We had lots of people from out of town attending and Boston is somewhat known for its doughnuts . Plus , it gave our guests options for different flavors !”
The Ceremony : The two lovebirds had originally eloped in 2021 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire . Flurries of snow fell during this micro wedding amidst the pandemic , where only their best friend who served as the officiant ( and Julia ’ s maid of honor in 2022 ) and photographers Sara and Brad were present . The only thing Julia and Nate wish they could change at the time was the absence of all their friends and family . “ As a result , nobody got to hear the vows that we wrote . We had written the vows down in booklets and saved them for our larger wedding in 2022 , where we were able to share those in front of our friends and family ,” says Nate . “ I think that was really special to both of us because I know how much we wished our parents , friends and extended family could have been at the original ceremony .”
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