NEED TO KNOW
Heather Hemmens married Nick Wajda at their Los Angeles home on Aug. 8
The intimate celebration was attended by 40 guests
The couple served Italian food and wine as a nod to their honeymoon in Italy
Hallmark Channel star Heather Hemmens has had plenty of happily ever afters on screen — but now, she’s celebrating her real-life love story off screen
The actress married Nick Wajda at their home in Los Angeles on Saturday, Aug. 8, three months after she announced their engagement. Forty guests attended the wedding, which the newlyweds describe as “the beginning of our dream come true.”
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“We wanted an intimately detailed celebration, but with no travel stress,” Hemmens exclusively tells PEOPLE. “Where better than our home?”
Tying the knot at home made wedding planning a breeze for Hemmens and Wajda
“Deciding to get married in our home was the best decision!” the Galifornia Undies founder and CEO says. “It really simplified things and has been so fun transforming it into our dream wedding venue!”
The Texas Two-Step star walked down the aisle as “When I Get My Hands on You” by The New Basement Tapes played. Her hair was styled by Jennifer Loura while her makeup was done by Renee Loiz. She wore an elegant gown with intricate floral lace appliqués and a dramatic tulle overskirt while Wajda sported a navy blue suit
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“I was going for something very understated but… once I tried on this dress, all that went out the window!” Hemmens shares
The bride and groom exchanged handwritten vows outside in front of a round floral arch, which they both told PEOPLE ahead of the wedding was the emotional moment they were most looking forward to. They were married by Hemmens’ uncle, Winston
After the ceremony, guests enjoyed a little taste of Italy. Italian food and wine were served as a preview of the couple’s 12-day honeymoon in the European country. The wine tasting station showcased a thoughtfully curated selection of the bride’s favorite Italian wines from Dry Farm Wines
Because Hemmens and Wajda are pie-lovers, they originally planned to have a heart-shaped, strawberry and rhubarb-flavored “wedding pie” decorated like a cake for dessert. However, the custom pie was destroyed during delivery, so they ordered some cakes on Postmates instead
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“We wanted an ocean-view ceremony, delicious food, and dancing under the stars with our closest family and friends,” Hemmens says
For the actress, her marriage was “just an official confirmation” of what she and Wajda “already knew two weeks into dating.” She shares, “We want us, forever.”
The Roswell, New Mexico alum got engaged on April 14 when her now-husband popped the question during a romantic getaway to Isla Mujeres, a Mexican island in the Caribbean Sea. She publicly revealed the news the next month on May 11 by writing on Instagram, “Until the end of the world♥️” alongside three proposal photos. At the time, she kept Wajda’s name private
Now, Hemmens gushes that Wajda “makes every moment more fun, intentional and filled with love.”
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“He is truly superhuman, he does it all and makes it look easy,” she says. “I’m so grateful I get to build a life with the most incredible partner.”
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Of Hemmens, Wajda shares, “I love how she navigates life’s highs and lows, how she sings in the morning, her curly hair, how candid and funny she is. I feel lucky to know and love all sides of her.”
The pair are excited for their next chapter of life together. They predict: “This will be the best one yet!”
Read the original article on People
