Caitlin Abiseid & Nicholas “Nick” Shull
April 14, 2018 • Little Rock
Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church • Heifer International Village
Caitlin Abiseid and Nick Shull’s story is one of love at first swipe. Nick was in pharmacy school. Caitlin was in nursing school. The two graduated from UAMS on the same day seven years ago, but they wouldn’t meet for another four years. The two noticed each other on a dating app and both swiped right. As they began dating, Caitlin left on an annual family trip to New England. While she was on vacation, Caitlin and Nick both read “The Five Love Languages.” They would discuss via text and calls, something that other love interests had never taken an interest in.
When she returned home, she found her doorstep adorned with a beautiful flower arrangement and note from Nick— Caitlin realized Nick was the thoughtful, genuine man she had always hoped for. Nick proposed on February 19, 2017. He cooked a steak dinner and afterwards presented Caitlin with a slideshow of all of the adventures they’d experienced together. He got down on one knee in the kitchen and asked Caitlin if she would marry and continue adventuring with him for the rest of their lives.
THE INSPIRATION
Nick’s mother sketched the couple’s wedding crest based on Nick and Caitlin’s love story. Nick’s favorite football team is the Broncos and he’s always said he finally found his unicorn when he met Caitlin.
The crest depicts a rearing bronco and unicorn with bright, vibrant florals. The crest was printed on everything from the invitations and napkins to the bar signs and menus.
The couple wanted their ceremony to take place somewhere downtown near the reception so their guests’ travel time would be at a minimum. They also wanted somewhere unique. Caitlin and Nick chose Heifer International partly because of the size of its space to accommodate their 225 guests.
“Nick and I both love animals and country life, so finding a little piece of our pasts in the middle of downtown Little Rock felt so natural to our upbringing,” Caitlin says.
HOW THEY CUSTOMIZED
With Caitlin being half-Cuban and Nick being half-Italian, the couple wanted to merge their cultures at their wedding. The décor transported guests to Cuba with vibrant colors, whimsical florals and tropical palms. In another unique nod to Cuba, Caitlin walked down the aisle to Camila Cabello’s “Havana.”
• • •
The food reflected their personalities and culture. Appetizers of ceviche on plantain chips and black beans and rice spoons were a welcome treat for guests. A pasta entrée and warm breadbaskets reflected Nick’s Italian heritage, as did the dessert bar filled with Italian wedding cookies and tiramisu.
The couple opened up the dance floor with a choreographed first dance to Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing.” Caitlin says that learning the dance together was a great bonding experience for the couple. “Having that intimate moment together with all of our closest family and friends cheering us on was the highlight of the reception,” she says.
VIDEO
MUSIC TO OUR EARS
CEREMONY
“Perfect (Wedding Version)”
Ed Sheeran
FIRST DANCE
“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing”
Aerosmith
FATHER/DAUGHTER DANCE
“I Loved Her First”
Heartland
THE DETAILS
WEDDING VENDORS WE LOVE |
|
---|---|
Venue | Heifer International, Little Rock |
Wedding dress | Inverness Bridal Couture, Conway |
Jewler | Sissy’s Log Cabin, Little Rock |
Bridesmaids attire | Bella Bridesmaids, Little Rock |
MORE VENDORS | |
---|---|
Photographer | Meredith Melody Photography, Little Rock |
Ceremony venue | Our Lady of Holy Souls Catholic Church, Little Rock |
Event planner | Anne-Claire Allen Planning & Design, Little Rock |
Florist | Silks A Bloom, Little Rock |
Rentals | Confetti’s Party Rental, Little Rock |
Caterer | Boulevard Bread Company, Little Rock |
Wedding cakes | Kelli Marks, Little Rock |
Wedding stationery | Hobart Print Studio, Bryant |
DJ and lighting | Central Arkansas Entertainment, Little Rock |
Videographer | Nathan Willis Wedding Films, New Orleans |
Groom/groomsmen attire | Men’s Wearhouse, statewide |
Hair | Mauricio Martinez and Abby Blevins of Dry & Dash, Little Rock |
Makeup | Jessica Humerick, Little Rock |
Party bus | Arkansas Destinations, Little Rock |
Cuban-style getaway car | R.D. Keever, Searcy |
Rehearsal dinner venue | Brave New Restaurant, Little Rock |
See this Real Wedding as it appeared in the print edition of ARKANSAS BRIDE
Discover more inspiration in Arkansas Bride’s Real Weddings section.