Bachendorf’s Brides

BACHENDORF’S BRIDES: casey & austin tie the knot

PHOTOGRAPHY BY DANIELA ORTIZ PHOTOGRAPHY

WEDDING PLANNING (AND REPLANNING) WASN’T EASY FOR NEWLYWEDS CASEY AND AUSTIN, WHO HAD A “MINIMONY” AT HOME AND A DESTINATION RECEPTION A YEAR LATER. BUT DESIGNING AND BUYING HER ENGAGEMENT RING WAS A BREEZE THANKS TO BACHENDORF’S.

How did you meet and how long have you been together?

Casey: We met in 2016 through a Bumble date gone wrong! I went on a date that didn’t go well… But for some reason decided to say “yes” when the bad-date-guy invited me to a party. I’m thankful I went, because that’s the night Austin and I met! Later that year we sat next to each other at a Kansas State vs. Stanford football watch party and realized we had chemistry. We’re both big KSU fans, but ended up talking the whole game. We’ve been together ever since!

How did Austin propose?

Austin: Casey accidentally ruined my proposal plans a few different times all in one night. After the first few were foiled, I was able to convince her to film some video content for work in front of our Christmas tree (it was our first Christmas in our new home). I kneeled down a few times while filming the video. By my third time kneeling, she patted me down (thinking I was joking about it all) and found the ring box in my back pocket.

Why did you choose to purchase your ring from Bachendorf’s?

Casey: As someone with large fingers, I didn’t know what sort of ring would look good on me (jewelry shops didn’t have my size in stock to try on). I heard that Bachendorf ’s Galleria had a machine that could show different rings on your hand with some new

technology, so we went to check it out. The machine was down, but we ended up jiving with the team and started designing the engagement ring with Heidi.

What inspired you to pick this ring?

Casey: I knew I wanted something nontraditional, so we took aspects of different rings that stood out to me and designed a unique ring together! Austin added a few special touches of his own, like engraving the inside, which makes it even more special.

When was your wedding?

We got legally married in a “minimony” on June 27, 2020 in Kansas and had our symbolic ceremony at Paradisus Los Cabos on June 6, 2021.

How was wedding planning during a pandemic?

Exhausting! There was a lot of time spent in limbo wondering what to do— we had to postpone twice due to the pandemic. There were many stressful logistical things such as replanning, budget and vendor changes, guests who could/couldn’t come based on dates, as well as quite a few tears shed and a lack of excitement at times. However, all of the challenges and time spent waiting made it that much sweeter once it finally happened.

Were there any silver linings in postponing your wedding?

Austin: Postponing our wedding allowed us to have our legal ceremony with our grandparents in attendance, which our Cabo ceremony did not. My grandpa passed away a few months after our minimony, so it was a very special memory to have him there.

Love blossoms in Greenwich Pamela Linke was expecting the perfect A COUPLE’S wedding day, no matter what came her way. After all, she was marrying her best friend, Brandon Nieuw—a friend who WEDDING CEREMONY happened to have, as she did, family ties HONORS THEIR to Greenwich, Conn., where they became DIFFERENT engaged. So even though the weather was 100-degree heat, not the rains they BACKGROUNDS IN A CONNECTICUT prepared for, memories are full of TOWN THEY HAVE wedding bliss for the couple. The bride filled that day at Brandon’s family’s Greenwich estate—June 2, 2018—with things she adores. Loved ones gathered, and Pamela’s great uncle officiated—he was certified just for the occasion. An explosion of flowers by Flowers By Justine fit in with the romantic IN COMMON. Text by Donna Rolando Wedding planning by Stacie Shea Events Photography by Amy Rizzuto atmosphere created by Stacie Shea Photography Events. Rose petals lined the aisle on the grassy lawn and filled the pool. Even the wedding cake maintained the theme with fresh flowers and greens. Just as romantic was the bride’s Monique Lhuillier lace-and-tulle ball gown, which she wore with her greatgrandmother’s gold-and-sapphire bracelet. The groom accessorized with a gold presidential Rolex Day-Date and Gucci black-crystal cufflinks. One challenge—less unexpected than the day’s intense heat—was planning a meaningful ceremony with families of different backgrounds. Pamela comes from a reform Jewish family, while Brandon’s heritage is Puerto Rican and Dutch. The solution? They focused on spiritual concepts like love and struck a balance with elements from both cultures. When the day was over, the couple made their grand exit under an archway of sparklers and headed off to their honeymoon in Europe, thrilled with the one thing they always knew they could count on: their love.

A couple living in New York City didn’t have to look far to find a storybook setting for their June 2, 2018, wedding. Sharing adoring smiles outside the groom’s family home in Greenwich are Pamela and Brandon Nieuw, then ages 26 and 28. The essence of romance, her gown is Monique Lhuillier lace and tulle; his custom black tux is accessorized with Gucci black-crystal cufflinks.

Clockwise from left: The wedding party with 10 bridesmaids in pink Joanna August dresses, 10 groomsmen in light gray suits, a flower girl and ring bearer (Pamela’s cousins); solid gold bands signify a smooth marriage; the couple mix blue and white sand to represent their unity; the bride’s great uncle performs the lawn ceremony after both her mom and dad walk her down the aisle; Pamela’s favorites—roses and peonies—grace the bouquets, which feature fun bright pinks.

Clockwise from left: Each table at the reception is simple and white to let the pop of color from the floral centerpieces preside; flowers decorate the four-tier cake with yummy layers such as fudge and caramel; the couple shares a joyous moment on the dance floor; sparklers in hand, family and friends help the newlyweds make their grand exit; the bride’s signature drink—fresh raspberry and vodka—features edible blossoms.