While Nicole Blum was living in New York and Kyle Eager in North Carolina, she “liked” one of his prompts on Hinge, which led to a series of messages and FaceTime dates that eventually led them to meeting in person. It was the height of the Covid pandemic, but they weren’t deterred and opted to enjoy each other’s company, some sunshine, and a meal together.

After two-and-a-half years of incredible adventures, Kyle began working with the Blum’s family jeweler to craft a stunning round diamond set in a platinum band to present at a surprise proposal under the guise of a romantic brunch at a private club special to the couple, where she joyfully accepted.

They hired a wedding planner who instantly impressed the bride when he shared tips and tricks they hadn’t heard from any other wedding professional, and after hiring him, they received a custom month-by-month checklist. “It proved to be invaluable,” admits Nicole, who was not surprised by how many details were involved in planning due to her experience balancing a hefty workload managing complex projects in the high-stakes world of pharmaceutical advertising. “Choosing vendors with stellar reputations gave us confidence that their services would be top-notch, allowing us to relax and enjoy the celebration,” she confirms.

Having both grown up in Westchester, New York, frequently visiting New York City as children and young adults, and later living on their own and then together in the Big Apple, New York was an easy choice for Nicole and Kyle. They desired to host their nuptials at an elegant venue that offered excellent value and found that they were partial to a long-standing private club that showcased all the opulence and timeless details of a bygone era.

“Our meeting in the center, symbolizing the joining of not just our lives but our families, was incredibly emotional.”

Initially envisioning a color palette of white and gold to complement the Metropolitan Club’s rich décor, the couple began to shift toward a new concept that included various shades of blue, ivory, and hints of purple. “This scheme, which we, along with our families and vendor team, came to lovingly refer to as ‘Something Blue,’ was reflected in several elements of our wedding,” illustrates the bride. “These included the floral bouquets on our escort card table, the field of flowers surrounding our ceremony platform and the stage for the band, as well as the blooms in our reception centerpieces and around the base of our all-white cake.”

Early in their wedding planning, Nicole and Kyle prioritized two family traditions: Kyle’s request was to be married by his family’s longtime priest, while Nicole’s was a recreation of a cherished childhood memory of carefree drives with her dad in his Porsche, top down and music blasting. “It was a moment I wanted to memorialize in photos and videos to treasure forever,” she admits of the sweet addition to the big day.

For the ceremony, a white platform was created and placed in the center of the ballroom, where it was adorned with an array of hydrangeas, roses, delphiniums, peonies, and more. The timeless space did not require much decoration because it was already exquisitely detailed. Guests sat in the round to witness Nicole and Kyle exchange their vows – an idea from their planner that the couple loved.

“Our meeting in the center, symbolizing the joining of not just our lives but our families, was incredibly emotional. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as we stood together, enveloped by the love and support of those closest to us,” says Nicole. The bride was resplendent in a classic lace gown with a frothy cathedral veil, while Kyle was dapper in a custom midnight blue suit.

The reception was everything the couple had envisioned. It was a nod to the glamour of the past, with thoughtful timeless elements incorporated into the design, a curated dinner menu that celebrated their roots and beloved New York home, plus a lively band. A favorite memory of Nicole’s was the pure joy they felt during their first dance. “Kyle and I descended the grand double staircase, hand in hand,” she starts. “We stopped in the center to wave to our guests, parted, and then reunited for our first dance, culminating in a joyful lift and twirl... I felt like I was floating in Kyle’s arms.”

The newlyweds urge other engaged couples to invest the necessary time and resources to help ensure a seamless celebration. “This way, you can savor your engagement period and wedding day,” emphasizes Nicole, who also says hiring a seasoned wedding planner is another must. A unique tip the couple recommends is to allow for more time than you might expect for each task, as every task – even the small ones – will likely take much longer than anticipated. “Our wedding weekend was more magical than we could have ever envisioned!” confirms Nicole.

This real wedding was originally published in the Spring 2025 expanded-digital issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

To order a copy of the Spring 2025 expanded digital edition, visit our library of Inside Weddings digital back issues available for purchase.