A Classic Miami Love Story (wait, no, the other Miami)
When you close your eyes and imagine a Miami love story, you might be picturing two lovebirds salsa dancing the night away under the stars and palm trees. But no, you’ve got the wrong Miami.
Dustin first locked eyes with Marina at their master’s program orientation at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio! A public ivy school in the Midwest known for its incredible liberal arts education. When it’s not covered in snow, you can see why the green landscape and historic architecture would make Miami University the perfect place to fall in love. After graduating, Marina and Dustin kissed under the archway that is supposed to bring good luck and a happy marriage to Miami University couples – it worked! Dustin proposed to Marina on a beach in California with their fur baby Oliver as witness.
“We now celebrate that we have a Miami Merger, which is a Miami tradition and label used to talk about two Miami students getting married,” bride Marina said.
Love at First Sight, Photos by Fancy This Photography
Remember when Dustin said he fell in love with Marina on first sight at Miami University? Well it’s time for round two. Watch as Dustin falls head over heels again at his “First Look”.
What is a first look? A first look is an opportunity for the bride and groom to have a private first glimpse of each other in their wedding day attire. This intimate moment is usually extremely emotional and precious. Unlike sharing a first look while walking down the aisle in front of everyone, a private first look is shared only between the couple (and the photographer). If you want to do a first look on your wedding day, make sure you hire an incredible NC photographer like Nikki of Fancy This Photography. Why? Because first looks require careful planning, strategy, and above all – someone you can trust.
“I can’t say enough amazing things about Nikki to truly capture how she is as a photographer. We felt like Nikki really understood us from the beginning and was able to capture shots that got the essence of our relationship,” Bride Marina said. “She was by far the best part about our wedding!”
Wedding Reception in The Page Room at The Mayton Venue in Cary, NC
Following a beautiful wedding ceremony at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, Marina and Dustin invited their wedding guests to a reception at The Mayton. The reception space, known as The Page Room, was transformed with elegant white linens and glass dinnerware. The Page Room can seat over 100 guests and is adjacent to a lovely sun porch. Crisp white wedding reception decor popped against the dark marble floors. Splashes of burgundy and glasses of champagne made their wedding theme flow throughout the night.
One of our favorite details from Marina and Dustin’s Mayton reception was their cake display. A barrel topped by a clean circle of wood made for a rustic chic cake display table. The bride shares about her favorite wedding moment,
“My favorite wedding moments were the toasts. It was really lovely to hear our friends and family talk about how they can see our love come through. Sometimes when you’re in a relationship you don’t think about the way that portrays to others, but it was really special to us to hear that all our friends and family can see the respect and love we have for each other in our interactions.”
It’s impossible to miss the genuine look of love and joy on Marina and Dustin’s faces in these photos by Fancy This Photography. We are so thankful that they shared their NC wedding ceremony and reception with us.
Dustin and Marina now live in Raleigh/Durham and are planning to settle down and start their family there. Marina is a training to be a psychologist and is a clinician at Duke Medical Center, and Dustin is a learning specialist and currently serves as a board member of a non-profit organization called the North Carolina Warriors, a hockey program for wounded veterans.
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