"My best friend, K.J. Ricasata, had wanted to meet Julia, but I knew she was right for me," laughed Aaron Nickle, explaining how he met stylish Julia Lord one February night in 2005—in a 7-Eleven on Main Street.
K.J. bowed to the inevitable and, more than five years later, became Aaron’s best man.
"We were students at VCU," explained Julia, "although Aaron was ahead of me. We all got to talking—then Aaron and I started dating."
The daughter of Debbie Lord and the Reverend Richard Lord of Vienna, Julia possesses an enviable fashion sense. "I did start to pursue a career in fashion, but now I’m studying for admission to law school. In fact, that March Aaron met my parents at a fashion show in which I was participating —Strut, 2005."
"Right off, Julia and I were pretty comfortable," said Aaron, son of Janie and Tom Nickle of Hanover.
"Aaron helped me to be more outgoing," said Julia.
"And Julia inspired me to take control of my life," added Aaron, who is a marketing analyst for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Their future was looking long-term so after graduation in May 2008, Aaron set out to look at engagement rings.
"Anything was OK, I told him, as long as it’s a cushion cut," laughed Julia. "I can be pretty direct."
Aaron did lots of research, then he bought a ring online from Blue Nile. (We did mention he was a marketing analyst.)
More than a year later, the two headed off on a Lord family vacation to Fenwick Island, Del.
"Actually, it was July 25, 2009," said Julia. "We were walking along the beach. Earlier in our relationship, Aaron wore a ring of mine on a chain —but he hadn’t for a while. I noticed the chain and pulled it out of his T-shirt. There was the engagement ring!"
Back to the vacation house they strolled, where Julia’s parents, whom Aaron had approached at Easter for their blessing, happened to have a bottle of Champagne ready to pop.
On Oct. 9, 2010, the couple married at St. James’s Episcopal Church followed by a reception at The Jefferson Hotel that bore the couple’s elegant touch.
"My father loves The Jefferson," explained Julia. "Everything went like a dream."
Including choosing the perfect wedding gown—"I tried on one and bought it," laughed the fashionista. But much like finding the right man, she knew what suited her best.
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Julia & Aaron’s Shout-out Section
Sarah Knowlton
Photography
sknowdesign.com
Ashton Toler Hassan, The Jefferson Hotel
Event Specialist
jeffersonhotel.com
Rick Lunsford, Blooms at The Jefferson Hotel
Florals
jeffersonhotel.com
Chris Broom, Rigby’s Jig
Dance Instructor
rigbysjig.com
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