The Rialto Room

Welcome Party

The Georgia Club

Wedding Day

Our Wedding

The neon lights of Buckhead Saloon flickered against the warm July night, casting a soft glow over the crowd. The hum of laughter, clinking glasses, and the steady rhythm of a live band filled the air. It was just another Saturday in Atlanta—except for July 18, 2015, was anything but ordinary for Daniel and Natalie. Some love stories dont need time to grow-they just need one night, one look, one spark and for Daniel and Natalie, that night was the beginning of forever. What began as a chance meeting quickly turned into something neither of them expected. Over the next few months, they found themselves spending every spare moment together—late-night conversations that stretched into early mornings, effortless laughter over shared meals, and the comforting ease of simply existing beside one another. They met each other’s friends, blending their worlds with an ease that made it feel as though their paths had always been meant to intertwine. And somewhere along the way, without even realizing it at first, they fell in love. By the time Natalie moved into her loft on Collier in 2016, their love had already taken root. But it was in that home—amidst the exposed brick walls and sunlit mornings—that it truly began to flourish. It was here that Natalie discovered her love for cooking, experimenting in the kitchen while Daniel happily played the role of taste tester, always ready with a compliment (or a comically exaggerated critique, just to keep her on her toes). The loft became more than just a home; it was a sanctuary for their love. It was where they curled up on the couch for endless episodes of Mad Men and Shark Tank, debating business pitches as if their opinions actually mattered. It was where they watched, wide-eyed, as the Falcons soared through the Super Bowl—only to crumble against the Patriots. It was where Daniel patiently guided Natalie through the intricate world of fantasy football, teaching her everything she needed to know, even when she playfully claimed she was just in it for the snacks and cute players. And it holds their first vacation together where Daniel was introduced into the Disney bubble, little did he know what he was truly signing up for. By 2019, Daniel and Natalie’s love had only deepened. Their nights filled with laughter and friends, the lazy NFL Sundays, late night ice cream runs, and the countless little moments of tenderness had all led them to one defining step—combining their lives under the same roof. In June of that year, they packed up their separate belongings, blending their worlds in a way that felt natural, inevitable, right. They unpacked boxes side by side, and somehow found space for almost everything. Every corner of their apartment became a reflection of them, of their life together. It was supposed to be the happiest time of their lives. But just one week after beginning this new chapter, their world shattered. Teresa, Daniel’s mother, was killed in a car accident. There was no warning, no time to prepare—just a phone call that split reality in two: before and after. Grief settled into their home like an unwelcome guest. What should have been nights filled with dreams of the future turned into tear-soaked evenings, silent embraces, and moments where anger lashed out at the cruel unfairness of it all. Amid the heartbreak, a small, unexpected light found its way into their lives—Teresa’s 15-year-old dog, Ginger. Taking her in wasn’t even a question. She had been Teresa’s loyal companion for years, and now, she was a piece of her that remained. Despite her old age, Ginger had a spirit that refused to dim. She hobbled through their apartment, claiming her own spot in their home and, in many ways, in their healing. Caring for Ginger became something they could do together, a way to channel their love and grief into something tangible. They spoiled her with soft blankets, extra treats, and slow, gentle walks. Ginger, in return, gave them something they didn’t know they needed—comfort, routine, and the quiet reminder that love, in any form, was still worth holding onto. Ginger was their reason to smile, and when her time came, they held her close, whispering gratitude for the love she had given and the healing she had unknowingly brought into their home. Daniel and Natalie carried on, leaning on each other as they always had. But life, relentless in its unpredictability, had one more heartbreak waiting. March 2020: Another phone call that would turn out to be life changing, another defining moment of life before and after. Natalie's brother, Noah, had unexpectedly passed away. This time, it was Daniels turn to be the strong one, to hold her through the waves of sorrow that came crashing, unpredictable and relentless. He knew this kind of grief too well— but all he could do was be there. And he was. In every way. Their world had shattered, but inside their home, they found something unbreakable. As the days blurred into weeks, and the world continued its slow, uncertain march through the unknown, Daniel and Natalie held onto each other, finding light in the only place it still existed—in their love. Because through every heartbreak, through every unexpected tragedy, through a world that felt upside down, one thing remained: they were in this together. And together, they would make it through. Grief never truly leaves—it lingers, reshaping itself over time. But love, the kind that Daniel and Natalie share, has a way of breaking through even the darkest days. In the years that followed, they found light again in the small, meaningful ways that made them who they were. On weekends, they traveled to Rome, Georgia, to clean out Teresa’s house—sorting through old memories, dusting off forgotten keepsakes, laughing at childhood relics that felt frozen in time. It was hard work, both physically and emotionally, but it was also healing. Each visit became less about saying goodbye and more about carrying Teresa’s legacy forward, one room at a time. And then there was Disney. Natalie's love for Disney is unprecedented and Daniel quickly found himself making the pilgrimage again and again, never complaining about drinking around the world in Epcot. Each trip discovering a new ride, a new restaurant, a new drink, even being able to see the Braves Spring Training before they moved out of Orlando. But each trip just wasn't a weekend getaway, it was a tribute to Noah to keep his spirit alive in the place that had brought him so much joy. Through it all, their love continued to grow, not in spite of the heartbreak, but because of it. They had learned how to hold each other up, how to build a life that honored the past without being weighed down by it. And in 2022, their love expanded—by exactly four paws. Remy. A tiny kitten with a heart full of mischief and a personality far too big for her small frame, at the time (She's a big girl now!) The moment they brought her home, their world changed. Navigating life with a kitten was an adventure—one that involved scratched furniture, sudden midnight zoomies, and an unshakable belief that every item in their home was hers to conquer. But from the very beginning, Remy was theirs. She quickly became the center of their world, the subject of nearly every conversation. Running errands? Dinner with friends? No matter where they were, it always ended the same way: What do you think Remy is doing? It is a question they still ask to this day, without fail, on the drive home. A ritual. A reminder that no matter how crazy life gets, there is always something—someone—worth rushing home for. Remy is more than just a pet. She is the heartbeat of their home, the glue that holds them together through every up and down. She is there on the quiet nights when words aren't needed, on the difficult days when life feels too heavy, and in every moment of joy that reminds them why they fought so hard to build this life together. Through loss, through love, through the twists and turns that life has thrown their way—Daniel and Natalie have always found their way back to each other. And now, with Remy curled up between them, they know one things for certain: Their love story was still being written. Their love has been tested, strengthened, and shaped by everything life had thrown at them over the last 9 years. And on August 23rd, 2024, in what felt like the most intense thunderstorm in Disney’s history, they were about to begin a new chapter. The day had started like any other magical Disney day—filled with too many snacks, long lines, and an unshakable excitement that never quite faded, no matter how many times they had visited. But as the evening crept in and the fireworks show loomed closer, the skies darkened. Clouds rolled in thick and fast, the kind that made you question if you should seek shelter or simply embrace the chaos. Daniel knew there was no turning back. They had been through too much—delayed dreams, postponed moments, love that had endured even the worst of heartbreak. This wasn’t just a proposal. It was the moment. The one that signified everything they had overcome and everything they still had ahead of them.So when the rain came, heavy and unrelenting, soaking them through their plastic ponchos, Daniel didn't hesitate. Right there, in front of Cinderella's Castle , as the fireworks lit up the stormy sky, Daniel got down on one knee. As the rain poured, fireworks boomed overhead, and despite the chaos of it all—or maybe because of it-it was perfect. He looked up at Natalie, the woman who had been his anchor, his best friend, the love of his life, and he asked her to be his wife. For a moment, time stood still. The weight of everything they had been through—the losses, the love, the late-night conversations—it all led to this. And then, through the rain, the thunder, the fireworks exploding in gold and blue above them—she said YES! A fresh start, a promise that no matter what life has in store, they will face it together. The past is behind them—the good, the bad, the ugly—and ahead of them is a love story that has been tested, delayed, and rewritten too many times to count. But now? Now, it is finally just beginning.

Two Strangers, One Bar, Forever

Our Story

Photos

Jason Heslep

Michael Carroll

Maggie Pitts

Benjamin Milam

Alexis Jackson

Bill Dupee

Christy Dupee

Asif Ullah

Annie Sibley

John Lasak

Britne Parish

Dylan Parish

Eden Milam

Meet the Wedding Party

"To book your stay at Hotel Indigo, in Downtown Athens, call IHG Hotel Reservations directly at&nbsp;1-866-808-1483&nbsp;and reference the&nbsp;Parish + Milam&nbsp;(block code: PMW)&nbsp;or&nbsp;use WEBSITE button below to take you directly to our discounted rates.&nbsp;Be sure to book your hotel room by&nbsp;10/01/2025&nbsp;in order to receive your discount. For special accommodations or extended dates, reach out to the&nbsp;Hotel Indigo Sales Dept. directly by calling 706.286.1712" **Hotel Indigo is Pet friendly! The hotel is guaranteed to sell out this weekend. Please book your room as soon as possible**

Hotel Indigo Athens Downtown - Univ Area, an IHG Hotel

Hotel Accommodations 

Itinerary 

Home of the Georgia Bulldogs! You can walk around the outside of Sanford Stadium and see the Champion Banners, and the open end zone is accessible for viewing

Sanford Stadium

Founded in 2014, Creature Comforts is a purpose-driven craft brewery based in Athens, Georgia.&nbsp;

Creature Comforts Downtown Taproom and Brewery

Charming retro diner that quickly became one of the must-see breakfast spots in Athens, GA. Serving the classics like the Georgia Peach French Toast, Buttermilk Biscuits, and a refreshing glass of Strawberry Lemonade.

Mama's Boy Restaurant

Since 2008, local farmers, artists, and makers have gathered together each week to provide our community with naturally grown produce, organic prepared foods, handmade arts, and beautiful flowers.

Athens Farmers Market

Bear Hollow Zoo is a popular place for families to come and see Georgia’s native wildlife. This small wildlife trail is home to black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, owls, and many other species of wild, free-living animals.

Bear Hollow Zoo

Exploring Athens

Registry

Daniel & Natalie

Daniel & Natalie

Hotel Accommodations

Hotel Indigo Athens Downtown - Univ Area, an IHG Hotel