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raduating only two years apart from Niceville High School and
hanging with the same groups of people for most of their adult
lives, Heather Lynn Pike and Dennis Elliott Ruiz were meant to
meet…and when they finally did, there was no stopping their chemistry
that turned into the love that ensued.
After being introduced by mutual friends, Heather and Dennis quickly
bonded over their love of the Florida State Seminoles and running.
Their first couple of years together was full of watching FSU sports and
traveling around the country running races together. After two and
a half years of being best friends, training partners and travel buddies,
Dennis knew this was the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his
life with. A trip was planned to Puerto Rico, Dennis’ family’s home,
in March of 2015 with close friends…to run a marathon. On their
final night in Puerto Rico the group rented kayaks and toured the
Bioluminescent Bay in Fajardo and it was here that Dennis popped the
question and the rest is history.
The bride and groom hit the ground running with the wedding
planning upon their return from Puerto Rico. With friends that own
a brewery, distillery and bakery, along with friends who are DJs,
florists and caterers…the Pike – Ruiz wedding was proving to be the
homegrown celebration of Heather and Dennis’ dreams. Wedding
guests received a save the date magnet with “In It for the Long Run”
as the theme. Unique invitations, printed on race bibs, soon followed;
continuing to play on the couple’s love of running and their timeless
dedication to each other.
The groom’s family blessed the couple with an authentic Puerto
Rican party for their rehearsal dinner with Puerto Rican attire for all of
the guests, authentic island cuisine and, of course, lots of salsa dancing.
On April 2, 2016, Heather and Dennis committed to spend the rest
of their lives together in front of their closest family and friends at
Turnberry Harbor in Destin. The wedding day was met with gorgeous
Spring weather, a stunning compliment to the dusty rose and dusk
colors worn by the bridal party and found amongst the flower
arrangements. A French Provincial theme brought by the décor and
the soft chiffon and lace fabrics of the bride’s and bridesmaids’ dresses,
set the tone for a romantic day to always be remembered. Friends and
family traveled from California, New Jersey, Texas and Florida to stand
by Heather and Dennis on their special day and support their marriage
for the rest of their lives.
The couple chose to spend their first week as husband and wife
together in Asheville, NC. They enjoyed hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway,
brewery and food tours galore, a visit to the Biltmore Estate and
Winery as well as a spa day at the award-winning Grove Park Inn Spa.
Upon return, the newlyweds, Mr. and Mrs. Ruiz, settled into married
life at home in Niceville with their two wonderful children, Owen and
Olivia, where they live Happily Ever After.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Coordinator: Rhoda Weck – B-Boy Productions
Photographer: Kaci Harris – Kaci Danielle Photography
Caterer: Tammy D’Agostino – The Eventful Planner
Floral Design: Patty Bilbo – It’s A Perfect Day
Invitation/Stationary: Designed by Groom, Dennis Ruiz – Actionwear USA
Bridal Dress: Simply Elegant
Wedding Cake: Mother-In-Law’s Best Friend, Margie Bonés
Venue for Ceremony & Reception: Turnberry Harbor
Hair & Makeup: Magnolia Allen – Hair by Magnolia
Heather Lynn
Pike
Dennis Elliott
Ruiz
story by Courtney Murray | photography by Kaci Danielle Photography
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