I Do, I Do: Kayleigh Wince and Brian Nabili

If happy is the bride the sun shines on, then Kayleigh Wince’s wedding got off to an ecstatic start. Last Sunday, Feb. 21, warm soothing sunlight flooded through the windows of The Mill at Fine Creek in Powhatan as guest after guest filed into the elegant, soaring space.

Soon there was standing room only—as friends who read about the wedding on Facebook came out in droves to celebrate the marriage of beautiful Kayleigh to handsome sweetheart, Brian Nabili.

A little after 4 o’clock, Lindsay Averetee of LK Events and Design started assembling the excited wedding party. Father-of-the groom David Nabili chased after the ring bearer, 2-year-old Anthony, son of Kayleigh and Brian. Grandmother Laura Nabili whisked away imaginary lint from his pint-size tuxedo as the flower girl Ava Lozada, gorgeous and perfectly composed, watched with interest.

Moments later, Kelly Wince, mother-of-the-bride, gave Kayleigh’s father, Richard, a tender kiss and then walked inside the emotion-filled ceremony space.

Upstairs in the bride’s changing room, Kayleigh took one last look in the mirror. Her strapless, corset-tied gown must have reminded her of another gown—the white corset-topped gown she wore to her junior prom at Monacan High School in 2004. “Brian loved that dress. I lent it to a friend, and I tried to get it back, but . . .”

“I did love that dress,” recalled Brian of the time when he was a senior at Manchester High School. “We had mutual friends and I heard Kayleigh didn’t have a date for her prom. I knew it wouldn’t be long before she did, so I asked her. I remember it perfectly. She came down the steps, and I was speechless—I fell in love, definitely.”

After the prom, the two dated constantly. “Then we were kind of off and on,” recalled Kayleigh of her senior year.

“I don’t know why things got sour, because the very first time I kissed Kayleigh, we connected,” added Brian. “But then, in the middle of the summer after her graduation, we met accidentally at a big pool party.”

“We couldn’t stop staring at each other,” laughed Kayleigh, “from then on we’ve been together.”

That winter of 2006, Brian was helping run a power-washing business and working in construction. Kayleigh enrolled at John Tyler Community College, but soon received a surprise: she was pregnant with baby Anthony.

“Brian and I got engaged, but things started to change,” recalled Kayleigh.

“I was having trouble with my left hand—eventually, almost the whole palm became an open wound,” Brian explained. “The doctors said it was a staph infection and would heal. But it didn’t—and I kept on working, with my hand bandaged,” he said.

Finally, last February, as son Anthony was turning 1, Brian and Kayleigh learned the truth. Brian had epithelioid sarcoma, a rare aggressive cancer.

“And about a week later, Kayleigh found out she was pregnant again—with our beautiful baby girl, Lanya Sky,” said Brian, looking at Kayleigh holding the sweet, 6-month-old baby. “I was scared of the cancer…I wanted to be here for them.”

Brian took heroic measures, allowing doctors at MCV to amputate his left arm. In December, their hopes of being cancer-free were crushed when they learned his recovery faced daunting odds. Bravely, they faced the possibility of chemotherapy, radiation and further surgery.

The couple, who had twice before applied for a license, considered getting married at the Chesterfield Courthouse.

“I always wanted Kayleigh to have a beautiful wedding,” said Brian from his parents’ home, where the young family is living.

Just a few weeks ago, Kelly Wince arranged for daughter Kayleigh to attend a CBS-6 Girls-Night-Out event. She e-mailed coordinator Casey Bunn of Rsvphere.com. and poured out the story of Kayleigh and Brian’s ordeal.

Casey in turn shared the story with friends on Feb. 1. Wedding industry professional Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting quickly understood the situation.

“Weddings can take a lot of time and money,” Meghan explained. “But Richmond has a wonderful wedding community. After Brian and Kayleigh agreed to let us help, offers poured in—from Lisa Benusa of The Mill at Fine Creek—to caterers, cake and floral designers, photographers, even a wedding night stay at the Jefferson Hotel—over 30 vendors in all.”

Brian said thoughtfully, “My prayers were answered. Kayleigh was getting the wedding she deserves, though I feel guilty that I couldn’t give it to her. She has been incredible—she’s an incredible mother. Knowing my time is limited, the most important thing is that my children are in good hands.”

“Brian and I have such a bond,” said Kayleigh gazing into her loved one’s eyes. “It’s not going to change. Anywhere I am, he will always be.”

If you would like to contribute to the Nabili Children’s Fund, please send donations made out to Nabili Children’s Fund P.O. Box 74611, Richmond, VA 23236 or deposits can be made at any First Market Bank.

From Kayleigh’s parents, Kelly and Richard Wince
We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the vendors and volunteers who came forward to give our daughter, Kayleigh Wince, the wedding of her dreams on Feb. 21. A few months ago, my son-in-law, Brian Nabili, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. Meghan Ely, President of OFD Consulting, heard about their situation and the small wedding they were planning, and she quickly sent out word. The Richmond wedding community came together like I have never seen any community do before. Without batting an eye, everyone came together and donated their time and talents. Within three weeks, they helped pull off the wedding of my daughter’s dreams. There are no words to express how grateful we are and the love that we feel for those who came forward and helped us out. I especially would like to thank Casey Bunn of RSVPhere, Meghan Ely of OFD Consulting, Lindsay Averette with LK Events and Design, and Lisa Benusa with The Mill at Fine Creek for working patiently with us every day. In addition we would like to thank the following people and companies who offered their services:

A Cake to Remember
avenue 42 designs
B. Meredith Winn
By Invitation Only
Cakes by Graham
Champagne Taste Catering
Choice Entertainment
Classic Party Rentals
Meghan Ely
Travis Ely
Flora Culture
Flowers Make Scents
Freeze Frame Photobooths
Groovin’ Gourmets
Guestroom Media Productions
James Limousine
Kate Jarrell
The Jefferson Hotel
LK Events & Design
Rian Mayadag
Meghan McSweeney Photography
The Mill at Fine Creek
Richmond Country Club
Richmond Times-Dispatch/Celebrations
River City Bean Co.
RSVPHERE.com
Heather Sniffin
The Soaring Chef