August 26, 2023
THE CHURCH IN THE WILDWOOD WEDDING IN COLEBROOK, CT | NIKKI & KENT
It was a pleasure working with Nikki; a small-town girl from Winstead, CT, who made her way to New Zealand, and embarked on a journey of a lifetime. There she met Kent, a solider, at a local bar, and has been head-over-heels for him ever since. When she reached out to me to flower her wedding day, I immediately said 'Yes!' The Church in the Wildwood is a hole in the wall tucked away in the deep depths of CT. Believe it or not, it's GORGEOUS. To find out more about this hidden gem, read all about Nikki and Kent's special event!
THE LOVE STORY
Their story began in March 2013 in the small city of Palmerston North, New Zealand. Nikki was on the trip of a lifetime, studying a semester abroad at Massey University. The solider, Kent Sanderson, was recently posted to nearby Linton Military Camp. One evening, Nikki and Kent were dancing with their friends at the Beer Barrel, a local bar, where Nikki tripped and was caught by Kent. A few days later, Nikki invited Kent to dinner at the Massey dorms just to be secretly vetted by her friend Amber. With Amber's, "He's alllll good" check of approval, Nikki agreed to a date on the beach the following weekend. The beach was perfect, even when it ended with Kent's car stuck in the sand.
On April 18, 2013, Kent took Nikki to dinner and asked her to be his girlfriend. After two months together, the couple traveled to Singapore and Malaysia. Kent returned to New Zealand as Nikki caught up with Amber to continue her South-East Asia experience. She flew back to New Zealand to spend her last two days in the Southern Hemisphere with Kent. Nikki returned home to the USA, where she and Kent commenced a two-year long-distance relationship, only seeing each other every six to ten months. October 2015, marked the end of long-distance dating as Nikki began her new life with Kent in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The pair now live in North Island's West Coast in New Plymouth with their pug, Bruce.
THE PROPOSAL STORY
Nikki and Kent spent many days hiking the awe-inspiring Tongariro National Park. They aspired to climb Mouth Ngauruhoe; an active volcano accessible from the Tongariro Crossing track. On February 3, 2018, Nikki and Kent set out on a 10-hour trek to the volcano's summit. It was by far the most difficult climb the pair had ever attempted. Each step forward turned into three slides back as the scoria beneath their feet continued to give way. Upon reaching the summit, Nikki and Kent warmed up by vents expelling hot steam and explored the rocky crater. Just before they began their descent, Kent got down on one knee and asked Nikki to marry him!
INSPIRATION BEHIND NIKKI & KENT'S WEDDING DAY
"Whimsical fairy gardens is how I envisioned my wedding flowers as a young girl. Then when I saw the Jenny Yoo English Rose velvet bridesmaids dresses, I knew the color would be perfect for the end of summer colors!"
- Nikki, Bride
specialty flowers and fillers that were utilized in these wedding arrangements were argentea peach nude crest celosia, argentea spicata celway terra cotta celosia, argentea sunday series celosia, argentea var. cristat summer sherbert celosia, argentea var. plumosa celosia, cosmos astrosanguineus, cosmos bipinnatus fizzy whitie, blush, cornel bronze, lindas baby, silver years, and sylvia dahlia, lisianthus, nicotiana langsdorffii, salmon rose, queen lime red, and queen series zinnia, clematis amazing kibo white, lathryus parfum salmon, hydrangrea, rose of sharon, agastache firebird hyssop, butterfly ranunculus, white tulips,, ranunculus, cockscomb, and talinum paniculatum
I hope you enjoyed this wedding at the Church in the Wildwood. Do you know Nikki and Kent? Show the newlyweds some love, by giving this post a 'Heart' in the section below!
VENDORS & VISIONARIES
Photographer: Sonja Zinke / Co-Photographer: Feather Vansvik | Floral Design: Loreta Daka | Ceremony: The Church in the Wildwood | Dress: Anna Campbell | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids: Jenny Yoo NYC | Hair: Amy Carol - Instagram: @hairgirl2 | Rentals: Mahaiwe Tent Inc. | Stationary: @moodymiss / Print it Pinc | Catering: Hudson Vallery BBQ | Cake: @mamie_brougitte_cakes | Ribbons: Emmalinhco - Instagram: @emmalinhco | Transportation: Price 4 Limo | Lighting: Rob Alberti - Instagram: @robalbertievents
ABOUT THE FLORAL DESIGNER
Loreta Daka Carrero is a premier wedding and event floral designer serving Connecticut, New York, and Coastal New England! She specializes in timeless and spiritually curated fine art floral designs for beautiful couples and extraordinary clients.