May 27, 2006
Nicholas Harman had it easier than most guys when it came to asking for the hand of Daddy's little girl; Daddy liked him from the start. In fact, it was Lydia (Shoemaker) Harman's parents who helped get the two together, talking up their daughter's future husband. Already familiar with Nicholas from church, Lydia started to ask questions, finally asking how old Nicholas was. She laughed as she recalled her father saying, "He's not too old for you."
While some might consider parents as interfering, Lydia respected her parents insight: "My parents absolutely loved him: [they] know me very well and they know what's good for me and what's not good for me. So it was really neat that my parents actually pre-approved of him. It made introducing him to the family so easy."
After dating four months, Nicholas proposed at the base of Nooksack Falls on the side of Mount Baker in Washington state while Lydia's sister, brother-in-law and nephews looked on. The two were married on May 27, 2006 at the Swan Lake Resort in Plymouth. During the wedding planning time Lydia was finishing college; working on her nursing boards and was president of the campus ministry. Nicholas stepped in, doing much of the planning, assisted by Kim Jeffries, a wedding coordinator with Swan Lake. "She didn't let us miss any major steps," explained Lydia of how Kim kept them organized.
The couple and their families stayed the weekend at Swan Lake, the women enjoying the swimming pool and other amenities of the hotel, while the guys started the wedding day out with a round of golf. "It was really a vacation for everyone plus a wonderful wedding in the middle of it," commented Lydia.
The couple wrapped up their honeymoon with an Alaskan cruise, another bit of planning on Nicholas's part. On the ship they competed in the "Not So Newlywed Game" among couples celebrating 10, 20 and 45-year anniversaries. Proudly, Nicholas described the outcome: "We actually won."
Photos by Perfect Pose Photography
Swan Lake Resort
Plymouth, IN
Caterer:
Swan Lake Resort
Plymouth, IN
Photographer:
Perfect Pose Photography
Mishwaka, IN
Wedding Gown:
Touma's Bridal Boutique
Fort Wayne, IN
Hair Salon:
Jocelyn Irvin
Tuxedos:
Tux Wise
Fort Wayne, IN
Wedding Rings:
Andrew's Jewelers
Fort Wayne, IN
Engagement Rings:
Sorg Jewelers
Goshen, IN
Flowers, Decorations:
Ace Flowers
Warsaw, IN
Invitations:
R.R. Donnelly
Warsaw, IN
Wedding Cake:
Swan Lake Resort
Plymouth, IN
Reception DJ:
Mainstage Entertainment
Rochester, IN
Rehearsal Dinner:
Swan Lake Resort
Plymouth, IN
Wedding Night Hotel:
Swan Lake Resort
Plymouth, IN
Honeymoon:
Norwegian Cruise Lines
Alaskan 8-day Cruise