N.O.W.
real wedding
Naomi Hill & Kristie Bardell AUGUST 29, 2020
“HER LOVE WINS” WRITTEN BY: Jessica Burke | PHOTOGRAPHER: Capture Studio Photography
In 2015, Naomi Hill found herself relocating to New Orleans, but little did she know that in addition to finding a new home, she’d also find the love of her life. In a chance encounter at the YMCA, Kristie Bardell caught her eye. At first a friendship developed and with their shared love of fitness, the creative arts and a penchant for exploring, their relationship blossomed and they began to see in each other the qualities of an enduring love. After 3 years together, they decided to make their relationship public and announced to their families they planned to get married. On a weekend trip to Denver, Colorado in September 2019, each woman planned to propose to the other. “Neither one knew what to expect over that weekend,” they share. They were, however, excited to make their engagement official! Kristie proposed first on a surprise date to a local speakeasy bar. 24 | N.O.W | NOWWeddingMagazine.com 36 | N.O.W | theNOWBride.com
She sang a song to Naomi and then gave a speech that brought Naomi to tears before presenting the ring. For her proposal, Naomi created a heart made of rose petals on the bed and scattered petals on the floor of their hotel room. When Kristie came in, with rose petals at their feet and John Legend’s “You and I” playing in the background, the new fiancées danced as Naomi whispered in Kristie’s ear and brought her to tears of joy with a beautiful engagement ring.
