Dating in the 21st century is a lot different than it was when I was a kid. If you’d asked me in 1998 what it meant to swipe right, I’d think you were making some kind of a reference to Karate Kid. Now, in 2022, it means something completely different.
For Loryn & Nishant, swiping right meant saying hello to their future. Like many 21st-century couples, Loryn & Nishant met on Hinge. They shared their “meet-cute” story on their wedding website, “At the beginning of 2019, after realizing that meeting someone on the streets of D.C. was unlikely to happen, we both decided to take the plunge into the world of online dating (shout out to Hinge!). We matched, talked for a few weeks, and then met up for our first date at Ambar (which happens to be one of Loryn’s favorite restaurants in D.C….check out the Balkan feast if you’re in town!). We had so much in common and seemed to share a similar faith, outlook on life, set of hobbies, and love for the outdoors.”
But just meeting your perfect match isn’t always enough. For Loryn & Nishant, this perfect meet-cute was about to hit some roadblocks. “Work and life busyness only allowed us to see each other a few times over the summer, but by August we were dating seriously. We spent that fall exploring Shenandoah National Park, trying new restaurants around D.C., and taking a weekend trip for some ‘leaf peeping’ in Vermont. Then in the spring of 2020, our lives (and yours) completely changed. Thankfully we were able to spend such a difficult time growing and enriching our relationship – it allowed us to slow down and find the joy in long bike rides and picnics spent getting to know each other on a deeper level. In the summer, Loryn moved to Arizona for work and we started a long-distance relationship, which thankfully further strengthened our relationship rather than pulling us apart. We knew if we could make it through the COVID-19 pandemic and long-distance, we could surely do life together!”
For this long-distance couple, it was their shared love of hiking & camping and their individual strengths that held them together. Loryn says “We balance each other well (I’m the dreamer and he’s the practical one), but love the same activities and hold the same values closely.”
But like a lot of couples, after so long, this couple knew that long distance wasn’t for them anymore. So, in December 2020… Nishant proposed. “Loryn was working over Christmas and could not travel to the east coast, and Nishant did not have much time off from work to travel to Arizona. So we planned for Nishant to come visit the weekend after Christmas…but Nishant had other plans! He actually spent an entire day traveling to Arizona to the Navajo Nation reservation where Loryn was living and working. He arrived at Loryn’s house two days before Christmas and surprised her by proposing when she opened the door! It was such a joy-filled Christmas and the perfect surprise.”
We met Loryn & Nishant where they met for the first time, in our nation’s Capitol. There’s something really special about taking engagement photos in a location with a lot of significance to a couple’s relationship.
Loryn & Nishant were married on the evening of September 11, 2021, at Eastwood Farm & Winery in Charlottesville, VA.
Loryn told us that she wanted her wedding to be a joyful celebration and that one of her keywords for her wedding day was unification. She and her wedding planner selected decorations and flowers that showcased the natural beauty of the venue.
We love that Loryn & Nishant’s Bridal Party was large and spanned generations. This couple truly surrounded themselves with their loved ones as they said “I Do”.
And to keep the day from becoming too serious, Nishant and his groomsmen were caught horsing around before the ceremony.
Loryn & Nishant both looked stunning on their special day. Loryn wore a gown from Bhldn and Nishant’s suit was from Jos A Bank.
Loryn & Nishant’s religious ceremony was officiated by Eric Saunders from McLean Bible Church in Arlington, VA.
The couple also wanted to include a traditional flower exchange in their ceremony.
Finally, after a pandemic and a long-distance relationship, Loryn & Nishant were married. It was time to celebrate! And, celebrate they did.
Congrats Loryn & Nishant!
Wedding Coordinator/Event Planner: Shannon Diminick
Venue: Eastwood Farm & Winery
Florist: Riverwood Designs
Videographer: Kennard Blackwell
Caterer: Harvest Moon
Cake Artist: Paradox Pastry
Invitations: Truly Inspired Paper Co.
Officiant: Eric Saunders
Makeup: Magnolia Artistry
Hair: Magnolia Artistry
Wedding Dress: Bhldn
Groom’s Suit: Jos A Bank
Groomsmen Suits: Jos A Bank
To see Loryn & Nishant’s full engagement gallery, click here.
To see Loryn & Nishant’s full wedding gallery, click here.