Harry Myers had the surprise of a lifetime for Nicholas Relyea on his 40th birthday at Bern’s Park—a proposal. He had planned the engagement for four months and it was attended by 40-45 people. “Bern’s Park is our halfway point when we take walks at night, so it has great significance to us,” Relyea says.
The pair first met in March 2017. “We met through mutual friends on March 24, 2017, and the attraction, both physically and emotionally, were instant,” Relyea tells. “Neither of us was pursuing any kind of relationship. People say when you stop looking he will appear, and they are right! Love at first sight really does exist!”
Relyea, who works as a loan underwriter, is originally from Syracuse, N.Y. Myers grew up in Chicago, Ill., and is currently employed as a community development officer. They now live together in Tampa.
“Marriage was never in the cards for either of us, so it didn’t really cross our minds until we had several conversations over the course of six months,” Relyea shares. “Our relationship was different from our previous ones and we knew what we had was special. We moved quickly and recognized that at the time—but hey, when you know you know.”
The couple later married in the same location that Myers proposed to Relyea, at Bern’s Park. A reception followed with their friends and family at the Waterfront Room of Jackson’s Bistro.
“Our processional was ‘A Thousand Years’ arranged for string quartet, and our first dance was ‘Thinking Out Loud’ by Ed Sheeran,” Relyea says. “We didn’t necessarily have a theme per se, but knew from the beginning of the planning process what our colors would be. Since the reception would begin at 7 p.m., we knew that candlelight was a must so we chose gold tapers and round floating candles—a lot of them. The tables were dressed with burgundy linens, geometric gold chargers, gold flatware and dark navy napkins.”
And instead of a cake, the pair opted for a seven-tier champagne fountain!
Each of the guys had their favorite moment from the day. Relyea says, “Harry loves to dance and he is really good at it! He hired two choreographers prior to the wedding, had dance routine sessions and surprised me at the reception with a dance that incorporated several songs that are special to both of us. He rocked it!”
For Harry, it was all about being together with their loved ones. “The evening ended with an impromptu friendship circle dance with everyone arm-in-arm, singing and swaying together. It was a truly magical moment of friendship, love and support.”
Engagement date: Dec. 31, 2017
Wedding date: March 24, 2019
Venue: Bern’s Park
Colors: Dark navy, burgundy and gold
Wedding Song/Artist: “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
Live Musician: String quartet
DJ Service: Grant Hemond and Associates
Caterer: Jackson’s Bistro
Officiant: Brian Frey
Photographer: Brian Adams Photographics and Perfect Sky Productions
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