Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/63981
A C� Photographed by S. Photography Th ey grew up half a world apart—Niley Barros calling Brazil her native land while Th omas Spengler knew Madison as home. So to start their lives as huband and wife, the pair planned the perfect way to bring their worlds together. It's a wedding story that starts with Niley as a young student in Madison, riding her bike through town every day to Eng- lish class. It wasn't until 10 years later, in Colorado, that she met Th omas by chance, and they discovered a coincidence that couldn't go unnoticed: All those years ago, Niley had been riding her bike past Th om- as' childhood home. When it came time to plan their wedding, the pair took fate's cue and returned to the town that had, in a unique way, been their connection. Th ey started with a symbol: a vintage bicycle sketch. "We decided the bike had a lot of mean- A chic white gown from Gigi's Closette in Glen- view, Ill., paired with a white bouquet arranged by House of Flowers and a classic suit-and-tie on the groom made for an elegant ensemble. Autumnal assic Nicole's shoes from DSW were affi xed with rhine- stone jewels by the bride herself. For the ring, the couple chose this timeless design from Goodman's Jewelers. Aff ai� ing and we wanted to incorporate it into the wedding," says Niley, who helped create the design that appeared on their invita- tions, website and wedding day signage, and complemented their a-little-bit-country setting, Quivey's Grove. Choosing early fall as the ideal time of year, the Sept. 10 date offered a chance to enjoy the outdoors from day to night. Th ough the setting was all Wisconsin, ac- cents offered a nod to Niley's roots. Hand- made paper fl owers adorned the trees as a colorful ode to the vibrant Brazilian culture while glasses of her home country's na- tional cocktail greeted guests. From start to fi nish, it was a day that celebrated how two worlds aren't that far away. Niley is the daughter of the late Sonia Bar- ros and the late Jose Rainer Barros. Thom- as is the son of Catherine and Stephen Spengler. The pair now resides in San Fran- cisco where Niley works in graphic design and marketing and Thomas works in high- tech strategy. 56 BRAVA Magazine March 2012