College sweethearts to tie the knot in MSU gardens

| The State News MSU alumni Ian Ward and Barbara Nacy sample food at the Marriott at University Place, 300 M.A.C. Ave., while planning their July wedding on Saturday. The couple, who graduated in 2004, met while living in Akers Hall and will hold their wedding in the Horticulture Demonstration Garden.

Green must be the new color of love.

For MSU alumni Barbara Nacy and Ian Ward, true love can be found in the ivy-covered halls on campus, and this summer they are making it official.

The two will be married July 28 — four and a half years since they began dating — on campus in the Horticulture Demonstration Garden.

Nacy, 26, and Ward, 25, met in 2003 while both living in Akers Hall.

"I always saw him and thought he was cute," she said.

"I was a mentor in the dorm, so I just started asking around about this girl," Ward said.

The couple was featured after nearly a year of dating in a State News article, "East Lansing named the second best place to be young, single."

The couple had been recommended to the reporter by a friend.

The story's photo featured the couple kissing next to the statue on Grand River Avenue in front of Flats Grille.

Nacy and Ward both said they plan to recreate the picture on their wedding day, if at all possible.

After college, the couple spent some time apart, Ward working in Southfield while Nacy remained in East Lansing.

The two decided to move in together, and eight months later, in 2006, Ward planned a Valentine's Day surprise for his true love.

"I took a half day from work and didn't tell her," he said.

"I was hidden in our apartment, and then I came out and proposed."

Nacy said she was completely surprised, assuming the charming notes and flowers adorning their apartment were set up for the holiday.

"I didn't see it coming until he was down on one knee," Nacy said.

When it came time to begin planning, the location came naturally.

"It's our common ground," Ward said. "We're Spartans, so it's got to be here."

Ward's brother also recently was married on campus at the Alumni Memorial Chapel.

The ceremony will be held in the gardens, and the reception will be in the ballroom of the Marriott at University Place, 300 M.A.C. Ave.

"It has to be a place that is important to us," Nacy said.

The couple made the move to Columbus, Ohio, eight weeks ago when Nacy was transferred to the home office of Abercrombie & Fitch as a member of its visual team.

Ward is a recruiter for Aerotek Staffing Agency. They have been doing their planning from there ever since.

"2007 is apparently the year to get married," Nacy said. "Everything is booking up faster than normal."

As for dealing with unexpected Michigan weather, the couple is not taking any chances.

"We did rent a tent, just in case," Nacy said.

With more than three months until the big day, she said it is just a matter of getting the final details in order and preparing for their 150 guests.

"By the time it is here, it is a year and a half of planning," Nacy said. "I just want it to be here."

It also is a chance to reunite with good friends on their old stomping grounds.

"It will be really cool to be in East Lansing with all those people," Ward said.

"Basically showing her off to all my friends."

As for the future, the couple plans to look for a house and maybe a dog in the next year.

But whatever they do, they said they will carry their Spartans pride with them.