REAL WEDDING

  • Photography By:

    Dina Chmut Photography

    ILONA NIKIFORETS & NICK GLOBAK

    September 20, 2014 in Portland, Oregon

    Nick Globak and Ilona Nikiforets had been friends long before they ever started dating. As a friend of her older brother, Nick was always hanging out at their house, spending time with the same circle of friends, and attended the same church. It wasn’t until the summer of 2012, during a week at Lake Shasta with a group of friends, that Ilona started to see Nick in a different light–whereas Nick shares, “Ever since I laid eyes on Ilona, I knew she was the one.” 

    A few months after the Lake Shasta trip, the two of them started dating; and a year later in September of 2013, Nick decided he “couldn’t wait any longer to pop the question.” As he told her before the proposal, “She was perfect for me. Everything about her just shined.” He had organized a trip to Six Flag’s with Ilona, her best friend, and her brother, and took her to Baker beach to catch the sunset by the Golden Gate Bridge. 

    “SHE WAS PERFECT FOR ME. EVERYTHING ABOUT HER JUST SHINED.” NICK GLOBAK

    With a photographer discretely snapping photos so she wouldn’t notice, Nick got down on one knee, opened a ring box, and said: “Ilona, I want to spend the rest of my life with you–loving you and cherishing you. I want to continue our journey together. Will you marry me?” Recalling her reaction, he says “She couldn’t even respond in the moment, and for a second I thought, ‘Did I get this wrong…?’” Of course, tears of joy began rolling down her face and she gladly said “Yes.”

    Within a week of the proposal, the newly-engaged duo got to work planning their wedding. After setting the date, they booked the reception in Hillsboro, a ceremony at their favorite chapel in Portland, and their favorite photographer, Dina Chmut. “Once we had the major things on board, we weren’t worried, because everything else would come along with time,” Ilona says. “I got a lot of my inspiration from Kate Middleton’s royal wedding with my dress and our wedding cake, so every step of planning was fun!”

    On the day of the wedding, the Pacific Northwest was experiencing an uncharacteristic September heatwave with 93 degree weather. It was a scramble to keep the bride cool in her laced up, long-sleeved bridal gown, and the entire wedding party pitched in to lift parts of the dress to expose her legs to air conditioning whenever possible. Still, Ilona had no trouble reveling in the happiness of the celebration–and she looked absolutely stunning. “The whole day flew by so fast, but I can still remember every detail,” she says. “The wedding bell chime outside the chapel, the fragrance of the flowers, the organ playing, my bridesmaids by my side and dressed in white, our four flower girls, and family and friends inside the chapel beaming with excitement."

    The reception décor was all white, peppered with gold accents in the table linens and settings, and the ambiance was a stylish mix of modern regality. Highlights included classical music, a beautiful cake, delicious food, and the newlyweds loved personally thanking their guests for sharing in their special day.


    WEDDING TALENT

    Location, Planner, Event Design, Rentals and Lighting: NW Events & Environments, Portland, OR; Cake and Floral Design: Family Friend; Hair & Makeup: Lana Mazun Portland, OR; Wedding Dress and Veil: Vera Wang

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