Camilla & Nikolaus | October

Camilla and Nikolaus’ autumn wedding was a playful, heartfelt and immersive celebration filled with color, culture and whimsy, plus touches of nostalgia.

Photography by Jacqueline Gundberg Photography | @jgundbergphotography

The Meet Cute: Camilla and Nikolaus crossed paths at a Halloween party, followed by a reconnection during COVID quarantine through the online game “Among Us.” What started as playful banter over a virtual screen turned into endless in-person conversation and the beginning of their life together.

The Engagement: Nikolaus proposed in 2023 during an Iceland trip with some of Camilla’s close friends. Against the breathtaking Icelandic landscape, Nikelaus got down on knee and created a surreal memory Camilla will treasure forever.

The First Look: The pair’s first look at the Five Bridge Inn was a tender and grounding moment that truly set the tone for the rest of the day. “What made it even more surreal was that he became just as emotional again at the ceremony, which neither of us expected after such a powerful first look,” says Camilla.

The Celebration: Camilla and Nikolaus designed their wedding to feel like an experience rather than an event — part festival, part family celebration and part Rhode Island love letter. They incorporated elements from their Persian and Kurdish backgrounds alongside their favorite local staples: a classic raw bar, Iggy’s doughboys, milks from Wright’s Dairy Farm & Bakery and desserts ranging from Crumbl Cookies to homemade skillet cookies baked onsite. From custom installations, interactive stations, cultural moments and personalized touches that honored them and their families, each space of the venue featured intentional storytelling.

The Palette: A fall color palette was carried out through florals, tablescapes, stationery and signature cocktails. Vendors worked itogether to translate the couple’s vision: Kaelin’s Florals crafted a whimsical blend of oranges and sangria tones; Fabulosity designed romantic and elevated tablescapes; Souly Co. created a stunning invitation suite featuring watercolor oranges; and Soirées by Sonya ensured that imaginative ideas—like a giant custom Guess Who board—came to life seamlessly.

The Morning Of: Red’s Kitchen curated the menu of their dreams—tacos with mini margaritas, lobster rolls, lamb lollipops, clam cakes and chowder shooters. The pair started the morning of their big day in style (and fully fed) with an açaí bowl truck from In The Pink, a breakfast board from Danielle the Baker, donuts from Dunkin’ with the couple’s picture printed on it, and a lunch spread from Artisan Bites. “All while getting matching permanent jewelry from Linked LLC!” says Camilla.

The Performances: “My surprise saz performance for my dad during our father-daughter dance was one of the most emotional parts of the night,” Camilla says. The pair incorporated some of their favorite songs during the ceremony, played by a pianist, violinist and Nikolaus’ uncle, who is an opera singer.

The Personal Touches: Extravagent details that reflected Camilla and Nikolaus’ cultures, personalities and the things that bring them the most joy — from a massive Rhode Island-style raw bar to nostalgic local desserts like Wright’s Dairy Farm milks and Iggy’s doughboys — were displayed throughout the venue. “We included Kurdish and Persian cultural traditions and music, millennial-nostalgia music, custom games like a giant Guess Who board featuring our bridal party, and even a remix of our first dance songs that referenced my appearance on Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge,” says Camilla.

The Vendors: As a Rhode Island content creator and self proclaimed Rhode Island’s biggest cheerleader, it meant so much to Camilla to bring so many talented local vendors together to execute their ideas and elevate them beyond what the pair imagined. “Our wedding was a true reflection of our love story, our cultures, our community and the little joys that make our relationship what it is,” says Camilla.

The Advice: “Don’t get caught up in trends or what you think a wedding ‘should’ look like. Social media can make things feel overwhelming or unattainable, but the only thing that truly matters is celebrating the love between the two of you,” says Camilla. “Also, don’t be afraid to plan things yourself! It felt intimidating at first, but it became one of the most fun and rewarding parts of the process. Include details that feel meaningful, whether that’s a raw bar or a BBQ bash with cowboy hats for everyone. And most importantly, build intentional moments throughout the day to pause, breathe and take it all in together. Those small pauses became some of our favorite memories.”