More Than Friends: Lauren and Marco's Wedding

After meeting through mutual friends in 2012, University of Nebraska Omaha students Lauren Barratt and Marco Ortiz became best friends and spent almost every day together. Two years of friendship later, Lauren moved to Houston—only to realize she was in love with Marco. They finally made it official and spent the first year of their relationship long distance before Lauren moved back to Omaha. Four years later, Marco planned a picnic at the Arboretum—a typical date for the couple—except this time he proposed to the love of his life. Their garden wedding welcomed spring with florals arranged by the bride, featuring gardenias, garden roses, sweet pea and fresh topiaries. To honor Marco’s Mexican heritage, the ceremony was held in Spanish as well as English. The couple also did the traditional watering of a new tree to symbolize the growth of their marriage in the coming years. Marco’s favorite part of the day was when he first saw Lauren. “At that moment I understood that I made the right decision,” he says. From friends and family surrounding them with love to their close friend officiating, their big day was unforgettable.