Naturally Nouveau: Get to Know Our Real Couple Models Nicoleta + Andrei

It’s true. We fall in love with each and every real couple we feature as our models in our shoots, and Nicoleta + Andrei were no exception! First off, they radiated so much love toward each other, how could we not fall in love with them too?! We certainly put them through their paces with our “Naturally Nouveau” styled shoot, and their photos are simply stunning; and in this post in our series, you get to learn just a little bit more about this adorable couple, and see more photos from the shoot…Enjoy dear readers!

What made you want to model for this photo shoot?
Nicoleta: The magazine, DUH…and now after personally meeting everyone on the team, I know 1,000% that we made the right choice.

Sacramento Tahoe Amador County Northern California Weddings

Above photos: On Nicoleta:
Veil and Earrings from @azaziebridal // Gown from @ellisblakebridal // Shoes from @dsw
Hair and Makeup by @alldolledup_norcal

On Andrei:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville

Tell us about your modeling experience.
Nicoleta: When we received the email from Real Weddings about being their models for this shoot, I was ecstatic, but my fiancé was concerned, in a good way though, as he didn’t know what to expect. But by the end of the day, he couldn’t stop smiling and we were both so grateful for the opportunity. While it was a long day, it turned out to be one of the most fun, memorable, and emotional days of our lives!

Above photos: On Nicoleta:
Veil and Earrings from @macys @macysroseville // Gown from @thebridalbox.roseville // Shoes from @dsw
Bouquet by @elissadunnfloralstudio with wholesale flowers from @jdwholesale // Hair and Makeup by @alldolledup_norcal

On Andrei:
Jacket and Tie from @macys @macysroseville // Shirt, Pants and Shoes groom’s own

How was modeling with your significant other?
Nicoleta: It was a dream. Andrei doesn’t like posing in front of a camera, but after this incredible experience, he became so much more confident—he was so happy and grateful by the end of the day. It’s an experience that every couple should have, and thank goodness he was there for me to make me smile instantly and hold my hand in my high heels!

Above photos: On Nicoleta:
Jewelry from @macys @macysroseville // Gown from @ellisblakebridal
Bouquet by @elissadunnfloralstudio with wholesale flowers from @jdwholesale // Hair and Makeup by @alldolledup_norcal

On Andrei:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville

Did you relate to the concept?
Nicoleta: I had no expectations of our theme or concept of the photo shoot as I had no idea what I got us into. But that is why I love the saying, “Never say never!” I would never have thought that this concept would work for us, but after having the photo shoot with the different vignettes, I fell in love with the look and feel and especially the vibrant pops of color—it was so lovely!

Above photos: On Nicoleta:
Earrings from @macys @macysroseville // Gown from @brides_for_a_cause
Hair and Makeup by @alldolledup_norcal

On Andrei:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville

What was your favorite part of the shoot?
Nicoleta: The whole day was memorable, fun, and fantastic, not to mention filled with amazingly talented people.

Above photos: On Nicoleta:
Earrings from @macys @macysroseville // Gown from @brides_for_a_cause
Hair and Makeup by @alldolledup_norcal

On Andrei:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville

Tell us about your love story. How did you meet? What was the proposal like?
Nicoleta: Our love story started at the end of 2021. A love story that started magically and continues to mesmerize and surprise me every day. I honestly have never thought that I would meet my future husband online, through Instagram, but nowadays, everything is possible. Andrei texted me and I responded to him 3 days later, that is how our story began. It was a period of 8-9 months of where he would fly to Sacramento every other month to see him, later I went to see him in Chicago too. It was the worst time because of the long-distance, but also the best time because it was the time of getting to know each other, be the crazy love birds, travel to different locations while also testing each other’s nerves. I was the happiest when we finally made the decision to move in together and not be long distanced again. The proposal was one of the most memorable and happiest days of my life. I realized how much effort, time, how big of a process, and how good of a liar he was too. It happened in San Francisco. We had a flight tour of the Bay Area and SF, and we received those tickets as a present from our friend because he “couldn’t use them.” It was so well-planned that it never occurred to me that I would get proposed. As soon as we arrived to the location, a violent storm began and I had a gut feeling that we would not fly at all. He advised me to stay in the car while he talks to the pilot. I was patiently waiting for 40 minutes, knowing that we would not fly, because why would we in the storm, so I was thinking that Andrei was inside dealing with them and rescheduling the flight. After waiting for so long, I gave him a call and asked whether we are flying or leaving, because it was getting dark. In those 40 minutes, the rain calmed down, but it was all very cloudy. Five minutes later, Andrei opens my door and says that we are flying. With disbelief and uncertainty, I get out of the car and think that ” There’s no way we are flying in the rain!” We come in, we sign the papers, and we are getting introduced to the pilot. The pilot happily takes us to the hangar, where it was all dark, and he tells me that we are going to fly in the big red and white plane. As we are walking to the plane, the pilot turns around and says “Oh, what’s that?” so naturally I turn around and look what’s behind me. And there I see Andrei getting down on one knee, with a big smile on his face, asking ” Do you want to marry me?” There were a 1000 things going through my head, like How? When? I didn’t know? Is this really happening? I instantly said “YES” and we hugged and kissed while I hear from underneath the plane my aunt and her boyfriend screaming “Congratulation!!!” I was shocked again at what they were doing there, without telling me, and keeping it from me. I was so happy that my aunt and her boyfriend were there with us in this special moment. Of course, us Moldavians, we want to celebrate every single chance we get, so Andrei decides to open a champagne that they brought. Short story, he drops it, and it sprayed a $30 million airplane that is being kept there. After cleaning the plane, we finally celebrated more at home with my parents too.

Above photos: On Nicoleta:
Earrings from @macys @macysroseville // Gown from @thebridalbox.roseville // Shoes from @dsw
Hair and Makeup by @alldolledup_norcal

On Andrei:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville

Tell us about your wedding day.
Nicoleta: We are still planning our wedding, as we are in a very difficult situation with all of our guests. We have guests here in the US, in our homeland, Moldova, and all over Europe, so the real struggle is to bring everyone in one place. Andrei and I both dream of a wedding with the most important people in our life besides us, with our family, friends, and relatives. The concept of our wedding has to be old money, clean, aesthetic, white and black possibly, and some green here and there. Delicious food with some traditional dishes, tasty cocktails, a champagne tower, and lots of dancing. Since this is one of the most important days in our life, I want us to feel special, and be surrounded by friends and family that we haven’t seen in a long time. I want Andrei and I to have such a memorable and fun first dance, we were thinking of a tango dance, and of course, the father-daughter dance will be even more special. I am already crying and getting emotional thinking and writing about this. I want and need to have to have at least 2-3 outfits, so that I can change and have as many different pictures as possible. I believe that as a bride you should feel and do what makes you feel beautiful because you will be a bride only once.

Above photos: On Nicoleta:
Earrings from @macys @macysroseville // Gown from @thebridalbox.roseville // Shoes from @dsw
Hair and Makeup by @alldolledup_norcal

On Andrei:
Suit, Shirt, and Shoes from @tuxedodenca // Tie from @macys @macysroseville

If you could offer any advice to engaged couples, what would it be?
Nicoleta: Try not hurry; don’t be influenced by your family and friends to get married as fast as possible. Enjoy the engaged era of your relationship, and make sure that the person you are with is truly your person before you spend thousands of dollars on your big day—it’s an important step to think twice before making this commitment. The person you are marrying will be a parent to your kids (if you want any), they’ll be your life partner, your love partner, and your best friend.

Anything else you’d like to add?
Nicoleta: I would like to thank the Real Weddings team for this amazing opportunity—Andrei and I are beyond grateful for the incredible experience, and because of this experience, we realized that we are more than ready to spend the rest of our lives together. P.S. Andrei told me at the end of the photo shoot that he can’t wait to have a real wedding with me as he knows I will be the most beautiful bride in the world.