Some love stories begin with a romantic first date, a perfectly planned introduction, or a grand gesture.

Olivia and Jake’s story began in a required freshman class at the University of Florida called What Is the Good Life?

And, as it turns out, the answer was apparently finding your person and spending the rest of your life going to museums, playing games, traveling, and occasionally sprinting away from them on a bicycle.

It All Started in College

Olivia and Jake met during their very first week of college. They were both taking the same required freshman class, and somewhere between discussions about the meaning of a “good life,” the two began getting to know each other.

Jake made the first move.

Well… sort of.

He tried to ask Olivia out, but Olivia was running late and had somewhere to be. So when Jake approached her, she promptly sprinted away from him on a bicycle.

Not exactly the response he was hoping for.

But there was more to the story.

Jake had recommended that Olivia check out the anime club. She actually listened to him and went—but Jake didn’t.

The following week, they both showed up.

Olivia was only a couple of hours late that time.

And somehow, despite the slightly chaotic beginnings, things started falling into place.

Was It a Date? Maybe. Sort Of.

Their first date wasn’t technically a date.

At least, they weren’t entirely sure it was.

Olivia had already missed out on going to a mandatory museum visit with her friends, so she asked Jake if he would go with her instead.

And that’s how their first real outing together became a day spent exploring an art museum and a science museum.

They had a fantastic time together, and somewhere during the following week, their relationship officially became a relationship.

They’ve been together ever since—starting in 2016.

Over the years, they’ve built a relationship around the simple things they love doing together: talking for hours, playing board games and video games, traveling, watching movies, and simply enjoying each other’s company.

The Proposal Was… Almost Missed

When Jake finally decided to propose, he planned a trip to Lake Country, Texas.

They rented an Airbnb and, on their very first morning there, Jake suggested that Olivia use his camera.

There was fog rising over the hills, creating what should have been the perfect romantic proposal setting.

Olivia looked through the viewfinder, completely focused on the camera.

Then Jake turned around and got down on one knee.

And Olivia…

Didn’t notice.

For somewhere between 30 and 60 seconds, Olivia remained completely invested in the camera.

In fact, she was so focused that she actually walked around Jake while he was on one knee.

Eventually, she realized what was happening.

And thankfully, she said yes.

A Wedding Among Dinosaurs & Discovery

Fast-forward to their wedding day at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, where their love story came full circle in a setting that couldn’t have been more perfect for the two of them.

The day began with a First Look.

Before Jake saw Olivia, though, there was an important decision to make: his boutonniere.

Jake had three different boutonnieres to choose from.

And he chose the one Olivia had made herself.

A small detail, perhaps, but one that perfectly represented their day. So much of the wedding felt personal, thoughtful, and completely them.

After the First Look, we headed outside for wedding party portraits. Olivia and Jake really wanted greenery incorporated into their photos, so we took advantage of the beautiful outdoor surroundings before heading back inside the museum.

Once inside, we explored the museum together, using the exhibits and architecture as the backdrop for their portraits.

There was something especially fun about photographing a couple who genuinely enjoys museums—and getting to turn a place they love into part of their wedding story.

Saying “I Do”

Olivia and Jake’s ceremony took place on the first floor of the museum.

With their loved ones by their side and the incredible museum setting around them, Olivia and Jake officially began this next chapter together.

After all those years together—from a freshman class at the University of Florida to a foggy morning in Texas to this moment in North Carolina—they had finally made it to their wedding day.

A Reception Full of Personality

The reception was filled with little details that made it unmistakably Olivia and Jake.

One of the sweetest moments came when they saw their wedding cake, which had been made by a friend.

They immediately gave her a big hug to thank her for creating something so special for them.

Their favors were gummies, because sometimes the best wedding favors are the ones people can actually eat.

They also had stamps for their guest book.

There was just one small misunderstanding.

One guest apparently thought the stamps were temporary tattoos…

…and stamped her arm.

Honestly, that’s the kind of wedding-day story that deserves to be remembered.

Then the Dance Floor Opened

Once the dance floor opened, the party really began.

Guests traded their formal shoes for flip flops and hit the dance floor.

Everyone danced.

Even the bartender.

And then, in one of my favorite unexpected moments of the night, the flower girl picked up my camera and started taking photos of everyone dancing.

Apparently, she decided she was ready to join the photography team.

I’m not sure if I should be proud or concerned that I may have already created my replacement.

The Great Irish Exit

And then came the end of the night.

Except Olivia and Jake didn’t exactly announce that the night was over.

They pulled off a true Irish Exit—quietly slipping away without saying goodbye to everyone.

Luckily, my second photographer was ready and managed to capture them as they made their exit down the elevator.

And honestly?

It’s a pretty fitting ending for these two.

Their story has always had a little bit of unexpected chaos mixed in with the meaningful moments—from Olivia biking away when Jake first tried to ask her out, to being so distracted by a camera that she didn’t realize she was being proposed to, to a wedding guest accidentally giving herself a stamp tattoo, to the flower girl becoming an honorary photographer, and finally to the newlyweds disappearing down an elevator at the end of the night.

But underneath all of those funny moments is something much more meaningful.

Olivia and Jake have spent nearly a decade choosing each other.

They met as two college freshmen in a class about figuring out what makes a good life.

And after everything they’ve experienced together, it seems pretty clear they figured out the answer.

It’s talking, laughing, traveling, playing games, exploring the world, making memories—and finding someone who makes all of it better.

Congratulations, Olivia and Jake.

Here’s to a lifetime of adventures, museum days, movie nights, games, travels, and maybe just a little less running away from each other on bicycles.

Vendors
Venue: North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences https://www.naturalsciences.org
Photographer: Maria Sollecito Creative Productions https://mariasollecito.com
Caterer: Rocky Top Catering https://rockytopcatering.com
DJ: DJ Joey https://joeysdjservice.com
Rentals: Curated Events https://curatedevents.com/raleigh/
Wedding Dress: Samantha’s Tailor Shop https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054356929143
Bridesmaids Dresses: Azazie https://www.azazie.com/