JUSTIN & NICOLE
November 11, 2023
Proving timing is everything, Nicole Shipman and Justin Law met their destiny. “Just before the pandemic, I met Justin just while out to dinner when a mutual acquaintance introduced us. While the timing wasn’t right, Justin became a friend and as a wealth advisor, he guided me through some hard financial decisions. Once life settled down, it was obvious there was an undeniable mutual attraction. From there, we started dating and over time, we fell in love. I had a lot of emotional healing to do, and he was so patient and emotionally strong. He has this ability to always make me feel safe, loved, and cared for in a way I’ve never experienced. One day, while riding down scenic 98 he reached over and held my hand, and that’s when I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him,” Nicole fondly recalls.
Listing their walks at Bayfront Park as some of her favorite dating memories, Nicole shares, “We would always sit on a piece of driftwood and watch the sunset. Then one day, he rounded up my daughter, Mackenzie, my son, John Parker, and our Australian Shepherd, Layla, and took us for a walk at ‘our’ park. When we got to the driftwood, he suddenly got down on one knee and proposed. My children were in on it and Mackenzie captured the whole thing on her phone. Of course, I said ‘yes’, and we immediately facetimed my oldest daughter, Madeline, at the University of Alabama,” Nicole explains.
Because Nicole was previously married and Justin had never been married, she considered eloping, but Justin wanted a proper wedding. Honoring his wish, Nicole started planning. “I wanted a coastal southern elegance vibe with feminine elements. A girlie girl, I grew up playing with Barbies and competing in pageants so pink was a necessity! Justin just wanted an exciting and fun social event for our guests,” she shares.
Since Nicole’s mother is in floral design, the flowers were important. “I’ve been a little spoiled! Little Point Clear is such a charming venue that provides tables, linens, and outdoor lighting, so there wasn’t much to add except flowers! I knew I wanted English garden arrangements with white hydrangeas, pale pink and white roses, and white anemones and Fairhope’s Southern Veranda did a beautiful job making it all come together,” Nicole says.
As for the food? “Georgia Roussos catered and did an outstanding job! They served beef tenderloin, tuna tartare, and had a shrimp and grits bar, and more. Two members of the Emerald Empire band performed an acoustic version of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for the Bridal party to walk down the aisle and Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling In Love” for my walk. Mobile’s Excelsior Band surprised our guests with fun Mardi Gras music for our ceremony recessional and throughout the cocktail hour.”
Grateful to have her parents from Atlanta present, Nicole shares, “It was incredibly special to have my 87-year-old father walk me down the aisle and then to dance with him. We also decided to take a moment to speak a blessing over each other and take communion. My daughters were the bridesmaids, and my son was our ring bearer. My best friend, Deanna Kitchens, was my matron of honor, and Justin’s best man and groomsmen consisted of his closest friends from his fraternity in college.”
A fashion enthusiast, Nicole wanted a specific look. “I decided that if I was going to walk down the aisle in my 40’s, I’d present myself like a queen! I found a gown at Bridal and Formal Boutique & House of Tux in Gulf Port and knew it was the one the minute I put it on. I channeled my inner Carrie Bradshaw and Barbie with a tiara and hot pink satin Manolo Blahnik pumps with the perfect “something blue” crystal buckles. My earrings served as my “something borrowed” as they were on loan from Stowe’s Jewelers Estate Collection. Justin even surprised me with them as a Christmas gift! My “something old “was my grandmother’s handkerchief and my “something new” was my gown. Wanting longer hair, the team at Fireflies Salon added amazing extensions and sent a hair and makeup team for me, the bridesmaids, and our mothers on the wedding day, too.”
The results? “A few minutes before the ceremony, I was trying to calm my nerves and the flower girl and a groomsman’s daughter looked at me and said, ‘Your dress looks like it has ice crystals on it, you look like Queen Elsa!’ — it was such a precious moment!” Nicole beams.
To sum up Justin’s character and his love for Nicole, his quote to her in the wedding program says it best. “An event 42 years in the making…for you, my love, I would have waited 42 lifetimes.” A warm and thoughtful man, Justin adds, “Nicole is easy to love. So very worth the wait, she always sees the best in others, and that includes me. I can’t wait to love her for the rest of my life.”
Spending their honeymoon in the Maldives, Nicole concludes with, “Our friend and local travel agent, Sandi Sadlock, set up an epic trip! Wanting someplace beachy, Justin surprised me with a trip to the other side of the world! We stayed in an overwater villa and had a personal butler at the Adaaran Prestige Vadoo Resort. They treated us like celebrities! Currently living in the Belforest area, I am Justin’s Executive Assistant for his wealth advisory practice at Strategic Wealth Specialists. With three kids, two Australian Shepherds, and as partners in business and life, there’s never a dull moment!”
