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or Hannah Erin McLeaish and Tonya Nicole “’Cole” Dean, 
first came friendship, then came love, then came marriage. 
Technology played a role in the beginning of Hannah and 

Nicole’s relationship. They were brought together by mutual friends and 
a shared love of music. They were officially introduced through group 
skyping with friends, which led to staying up late chatting and getting to 
know one another. When they met and hugged each other the next day, 
the two knew instantly that this was something special. After Marriage 
Equality passed in January 2015, Hannah immediately started planning 
a trip to propose. She began scheming and enlisted the help of two 
of their best friends, Bitsy and Kyte, to help iron out the location and 
details of making the proposal extra special. Hannah knew her bride 
to be would want to be completely “camera ready” for the proposal, 
so she took it upon herself to secretly schedule time to casually take 
Nicole shopping, have her hair done and her favorite makeup restocked. 
After many sleepless nights of planning, Hannah decided on City Park in 
New Orleans for the big moment and the day had finally come for her 
to whisk Nicole away. Hannah began with a mysterious text, followed by 
an empty suitcase, and next thing Nicole knew, they were off on a road 
trip, doggies in tow. After driving for over an hour, Nicole finally realized 
they were headed to Louisiana for what she thought was a pre-birthday 
celebration. As they arrived to the hotel where they’d be spending the 
weekend, other friends began to show up and Nicole’s’ excitement grew. 
The next day was filled with good coffee, delicious drinks, and laughter at 
every stop. Finally Hannah and Nicole slipped off to City Park to explore 
and enjoy the beautiful scenery together. They made their way to a 
majestic oak tree where Hannah popped the question. Bitsy and Kyte had 
been following them the whole time and showed up to document the 
sweet, tear-filled moment. They met up with the rest of their friends that 
night to celebrate the engagement and share in their joy!  

The ceremony was held at Coldwater Gardens in Milton, FL on April 9, 

2016; the ideal location for two laid back nature loving girls. The brides 
wore beautiful ivory dresses that perfectly suited their personalities as 
they walked towards each other to promise forever while their tribe of 
family and friends gathered around them. Happiness emanated from the 
couple as they stood barefooted in the green grass committing their lives 
to one another on that perfect spring day. Community is important to 
Hannah and Nicole so they celebrated after the wedding at the Terrace 
with a potluck-style reception with an assortment of tapas, entrees and 
some of their favorite desserts. The family style tables were adorned with 
muslin cloths and the simplicity of eucalyptus, baby’s breath, and candles 
was perfection. Many friends and family helped to bring together the 
details of the stunning event, for which Hannah and Nicole are eternally 
grateful. It was the special little details that made the wedding unique and 
perfectly catered towards the couple. They decided to forgo having a first 
dance, and instead chose to mingle and drink homemade beer prepared 
by Hannah’s dad (with a little help from both Hannah and Nicole). The 
brides both agree that the wedding weekend was more perfect than they 
could have ever dreamed and they ended the event dancing the night 
away with their closest people beneath the twinkling market lights.  After 
the wedding the girls enjoyed breakfast with friends and family and then 
headed home to Pensacola to enjoy a staycation. Unfortunate weather 
altered their plans to go to the keys, but the newlyweds didn’t let the 
rain dampen their spirits! They adventured around Pensacola throughout 
the week, eating at their favorite restaurants and trying new ones. They 
also enjoyed time with their three fur babies and a few dinner dates with 
their close friends. Hannah and Nicole are soaking up every moment of 
married life and are even more in love than when they said, “I do,” living 
by the motto, “Love is real, love is sufficient, love wins.”

BEHIND THE SCENES

Wedding Planner/Coordinator: Kelsey Seager
Photographer: Meg Burke
Caterer: Friends/Family
Floral Design: Kim Knowles
Bridal Dresses: ASOS
Wedding Cakes: Friends/Family
Venue for Ceremony: Sunset Loop Field
 

 

      Coldwater Gardens

Venue for Reception: Garden Terrace
 

 

       Coldwater Gardens

Hair Stylist: Dani Bertram
Makeup Artist: Kasey Pouncey

Tonya Nicole 

Dean

Hannah Erin 

McLeaish

story by Courtney Murray |  photography by Meg Burke

36        VIPPensacola.com

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