CEREMONY: Covenant Presbyterian Church Birmingham
RECEPTION: Country Club of Birmingham
In the world of email, social media, and texting, meaningful conversations rarely happen anymore. The days of a couple beginning their relationship by taking it slowly by getting to know each other’s character first happens even less. A brief meeting at the end of her freshman year of college resulted in a summer of phone calls and long conversations between Nicki Wilcox and David Barrington. Around the third call, Nicki knew David was the kind of man she would marry one day”¦ and she was right.
THE BACK STORY
The school year at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina was just wrapping up. On one of her last days on campus, mutual friends introduced Nicki Wilcox from Birmingham to David Barrington of Montgomery. David got Nicki’s phone number in hopes of staying in touch over the summer break. It started with one call. As the summer progressed, their calls grew longer and more frequent. They talked about everything including their faith, their hopes for the future, and life goals. Nicki soon realized that David was a man of strong character and faith; the kind of man she wanted to marry someday. In fact, within a few telephone calls, she knew that David was the man she would marry one day-even before they had their first date. Just after they returned to campus in the fall of her sophomore year, the couple had their first official date; a trip to Whole Foods Market where they had dinner. Next they played a game of putt-putt golf and then they bonded over some therapy: they both iced their knees from sports injuries. Because they knew each other so well from all of their conversations, they skipped over the typical nerves and first date jitters. From that date, the two became a couple and spent most of their time together.
Even after David graduated and moved to Birmingham to begin medical school, the couple continued a long distance relationship and continued their courtship by phone. The couple was separated by an even greater distance when Nicki went to Spain for a study abroad program but once again, the phone was their lifeline. When David came to Spain to visit her, Nicki knew they were destined to spend their lives together.
THE PROPOSAL
On their second anniversary, Nicki came home from school to Birmingham to celebrate with David. He told her he had a full day of surprises for her the following day, beginning with breakfast. She woke up to her favorite coffee in bed and then David whisked her off to her favorite breakfast spot. During breakfast, David read a letter he had written to Nicki, one of several notes he would read to her that day. He took her to the Birmingham Botanical Gardens and also arranged a manicure and pedicure for her-complete with her favorite magazines
Afterwards, she met David at his house; it had been beautifully decorated and he had her favorite meal prepared. Little did Nicki know that David had invited a big group of their friends to come in for the occasion. They had been to the house earlier to help David decorate because this was no ordinary anniversary celebration. David had a ring and after dinner, he proposed. They shared a few minutes together and then went to her house to celebrate the moment with both sets of parents and friends who were all in on the surprise!
WEDDING PLANS
Wedding plans began immediately and wedding planner Carole Crabbe was enlisted to help with the details. One of the essentials was hiring the band Atlanta Showstoppers. The couple had heard them before and really loved their big band sound. A beautiful one-shoulder all lace Ulla-Maija gown from the White Room in Cahaba Heights, flowers and décor from Ray and Janet from Flowerbuds, cakes from Sweet Magnolia and the planning was almost done.
Some special details included “something new”- a custom garter given to her by her mother and made from lace from her mother and mother-in-law’s wedding gowns and Nicki’s “something blue”- a blue monogram sewn inside the lining of her gown.
Unlike most couples, Nicki and David spent their entire wedding day together. They started out the morning at the same breakfast spot they went to the day David proposed-they even had the same waitress! The couple exchanged their wedding gifts with each other and really embraced their commitment as they reflected on what was about to happen. After the wedding ceremony, the couple again got to spend a few quiet minutes together during a private dinner before they entered their reception. The band had everyone-especially the Furman alums-out on the dance floor all evening, swing dancing to big band tunes. The couple left in a cloud of lavendar and rose petals and a sea of purple and white Furman shakers.
After a wedding trip to Cancun, the couple is at home in Birmingham and enjoying life together. They love their Bernardaud Louvre everyday china and the Annie Glass gold ruffle plates they received from their gift registry at Bromberg’s.
Congratulations Nicki and David! The Bromberg’s staff wishes you a lifetime of love and happiness together.