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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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