What started as an elementary school friendship turned into a lifelong love for Martina Liana bride Niki and her husband Corey! Her sentimental wedding was complete with a stunning lace gown, and a few happy tears. Congrats to the happy couple!
From the bride: Corey and I go way back…sixth grade to be exact. Though we met in sixth grade, we didn’t actually start talking and growing a friendship until seventh grade. We became good friends and grew fond of each other. Nothing ever came from it, however, we always remained good friends.
When eighth grade approached, my family told my sister and I that we would be moving to Minnesota to start a new chapter for the Fischer Family. Of course this was devastating for me, as it was for my sister and parents, to leave behind everything we ever knew. Slowly we started to let friends and family know about the news. Eventually teachers were starting to hear that I’d be moving at the end of my eighth grade year.
Corey and I were in almost every class in eighth grade. Corey would always be getting into trouble for who knows what and goofing around. When he wasn’t paying attention our teachers knew that he was talking to me. To this day, I remember mine and Corey’s favorite teacher, Mrs. Kellenberger, saying, “Corey, stop flirting with Niki – she’s moving away!” Everyone always got a kick out of it.
Eighth grade came to an end and summer started. Goodbyes were said to friends and off we went to Minnesota. Corey and I didn’t stay in touch as we started our High School career. A few years later, my family decided it was time to move back to Wisconsin to be with family. I returned home summer of my junior year. I reconnected with lost friends and started new friendships. I started my junior year as a Bulldog. The one friendship that picked up right where it left off was mine and Corey’s. A few months went by and we started dating and as they say – the rest was history.
Corey and I wanted our ceremony and reception at the same location so we had a hard time finding the perfect place! I happened to come across a place in Germantown that was under construction. We set up a meeting to sit down with the coordinator. When we pulled up to the hall we immediately looked at each and knew this was going to the be the place. After talking to the event coordinator we were hooked! We signed on right away. They had everything: A Willow pond and path, a waterfront gazebo, a water fountain in the Willow pond that allowed for beautiful sights and captivating sounds.
I was very fortunate to work at a bridal store, Stone Manor Bridal, during my planning process. My bosses, Kate and Shannan, let me come to bridal market to look at dresses for myself. Although I didn’t find a dress at market, I was able to come in with my sister and mom during closed hours. It was great! I tried on so many dresses, but none of them gave me that “wow” factor feeling until my mom happened to grab Martina Liana style number 611. I put it on and felt so beautiful. So sophisticated. It was THE dress! Everyone loved it! I received so many compliments for my dress.
I have two vivid memories of my wedding day that will stick with me for many years; right before I was about to walk down the aisle my dad had a “first look” with me. The moment he walked through the doors he started to cry and told me how beautiful I looked. It was such a heartfelt moment that I will cherish years down the road. My second memory would be seeing my [now] husband for the first time as I approached the aisle. In that moment I knew whatever was going to happen in our lives down the road, we’d be facing it together. Finally being able to see each other after hours of getting ready knowing I was about to marry the man of my dreams is a moment I will never forget!
Photography by Leo & Jenny