East End Cottages | The Love Story of Nicole and Lance

June 13, 2026

Where are you both from: Today, we call South Louisiana, home. Lance was born and raised in Louisiana. I was born in Ohio and spent different chapters of my life living in Ohio, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Delaware before our paths crossed in Charlotte, North Carolina. It just goes to show that no matter where life takes you, the right person can find you when you least expect it.

Planner: Celebrations-Natasha

Decor & Flowers: Celebrations Group LTD

Officiant: Donna Bush

Hair Stylist: Karina from Rock Gorgeous Hair

Makeup: Christine Valerie Makeup

Long Dress: A-Net’s Bridal Boutique Short Dress: Oui Jolie Bride

Caterer: Rent a Chef – Chef Remy

Grooms Suit: Men’s Warehouse

THE DRESS

I tried on about ten dresses, but one stood out from the very beginning at A-Net’s Bridal Boutique. Even so, I wanted to visit the second boutique owned by the same company before making my final decision. After trying on several more gowns, I purchased what I thought was the one—a beautiful beach-inspired dress that seemed perfect for our destination wedding.

Over the next several weeks, though, I couldn’t stop thinking about that very first dress. It wasn’t as beachy, but I loved the way it fit and, more importantly, the way it made me feel—like a queen.

In the end, I followed my heart and bought the first dress. Rather than let the beach-inspired gown go to waste, I had it altered into a short reception dress. It turned out to be the perfect decision because I felt beautiful in both.

One thing that made this experience unique was that I navigated the entire dress-shopping journey on my own. No one was there with me, but I trusted my instincts, and looking back, I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

HOW DID YOU BOTH MEET

We met in Charlotte, North Carolina, during the height of COVID while I was working as a travel nurse. Since I was on assignment for several months, I was living out of a hotel, which quickly became my home away from home.

Here’s where the story gets interesting.

During my previous marriage, my ex-husband would jokingly accuse me of having a boyfriend named Lance. It was something he said for years, even though there was never a Lance.

One evening, as I was walking back to my hotel room, I noticed a pizza box and takeout bag sitting outside a door with the name “Lance”written across them. I couldn’t help but laugh. I thought, Well, I finally found my Lance! I almost took a picture next to the pizza box just to send it to my ex as a joke.

Instead, I headed downstairs to chat with Linda, the hotel’s front desk concierge. After months of living there, we’d become friends. I told her the funny story about the mysterious pizza box with Lance’s name on it.

She smiled and said, “I know him. He’s been coming to this hotel for years. Let me introduce you.”

A few minutes later, he walked into the lounge near the entrance. Remember, this was during COVID, so I was wearing a mask. All he could see were my eyes.

With that unmistakable Southern charm, he introduced himself. I laughed as I told him the story about the pizza box and how I’d almost sent a picture to my ex saying I’d finally found “Lance.”

Without missing a beat, he smiled and said, “Well, would you like me to take a picture with you so you can send it to him?”

I laughed and replied, “No, thank you.”

Little did either of us know, that funny encounter would become the beginning of our love story.

This ending creates a nice transition into the next chapter of your blog—how that chance meeting turned into dating and eventually your wedding.

HOW DID LANCE POP THE QUESTION

We were celebrating Lance’s birthday with a trip to the Dominican Republic. On the evening of February 11, 2025, we were getting ready for dinner.

As I was finishing up in the bathroom, Lance came in and asked if I could hurry so we could enjoy a glass of wine on the lanai before our butler arrived to take us to dinner. I told him, “Just give me a minute.”

A few moments later, he came back and rushed me again. Thinking he was just eager not to be late, I stepped outside wearing one espadrille, with the other still in my hand.

Instead of finding him waiting with a glass of wine, I found him down on one knee.

Completely caught off guard, I did the only thing my shocked brain could think of—I threw my other shoe at him!

Then he opened the ring box.

I was speechless.

Inside was a breathtaking canary yellow diamond. Ever since I was a little girl, I had dreamed of one day receiving a yellow diamond engagement ring. Somehow, he had chosen exactly what my heart had always imagined.

With joy and complete disbelief, there was only one answer.

Yes!

THE AISLE

How did you feel: I felt amazing . It was a surreal, overwhelming moment filled with so much love, happiness and excitement.

DECOR

Celebrations, the decor looked amazing and was exactly as I pictured. Thanks to Natasha for the collaboration for the last year and half to execute the many ideas I had in my head.