Chad and Jahira’s chic Juneteenth wedding was featured in the Fall/Winter 2021 issue of MunaLuchi Bride Magazine! View the digital magazine here!
Chad & Jahira were one of four couples who won and participated in our “Romance Blooms in Brooklyn” Muna Serenade! They were first introduced through mutual friends and have since formed a loving relationship and now a beautiful marriage.
Chad planned a creative and romantic proposal that was perfectly executed during a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge. “I was born and raised in Brooklyn but have never walked over the bridge until that day, it was the perfect NYC engagement.” When they got to the other side, Chad further surprised Jahira by planning an engagement party with their family and friends.
Jahira and Chad held their modern-chic wedding at The Queens Museum on Juneteenth of 2021. Bride Jahira shares, “We were intentional about picking that date because it is a reminder of the love, resilience, and endurance we’ll need to sustain our Black love.” They enjoyed celebrating their marriage and culture with loved ones as they crossed over another bridge together, this time as husband and wife.
See the beautiful details below!
Couple: Jahira and Chad
Occupations: Assistant Principal | Firefighter
Wedding date: June 19, 2021
Wedding location: The Queens Museum
Quick Facts
- Bridesmaids gifts: engraved wine bottles, silk black robes adorned with their names and buttons that said “trust black women” and “protect black women” , slippers, earrings and matching necklace
- Groomsmen gifts: engraved flask, a bottle of their favorite spirit, engraved lighter, cigar, and “Black Lives Matter” and Black pride buttons for their suspenders
- Ceremony entrance song: “Get at Me Dog” by DMX
- First dance song: “While We’re Young” by Jhené Aiko
How did you meet?
We were introduced by a mutual friend
Tell us about the proposal
We planned to go see a matinee of “Queen and Slim” the day after Thanksgiving. He insisted I dress comfortably because we’d be out all day. I obliged. After the movie, we did some walking around the South Street Seaport, and he recommended we go for a walk over the Brooklyn Bridge because I’ve always wanted to. We began walking and were approached by a “student” who asked to take our picture for his school project about Black Love. I’m a High School teacher so Chad knew I would be willing to help a student. We stopped at a few locations along the bridge and he snapped our picture.
Little did I know, my best friend was in disguise (she channeled Angelina Jolie in “Salt”) following and recording the moments. At our last photo, Chad went down on one knee and proposed. My best friend revealed herself and the “student” turned out to be one of Chad’s younger colleagues (FDNY). We walked to a restaurant below the bridge to grab a drink but when we arrived I was surprised to see he planned an engagement party with our families and closest friends. I am born and raised in Brooklyn but have never walked over the bridge until that day, it was the perfect NYC engagement.
Wedding Style
I’d describe our wedding style as classic and elegant, maybe even minimalist-chic. As for my dress and his suit, we wanted looks that would age well in photos fifty years from now. We both knew very early on what we liked so we both did not spend much time shopping around. I went with a strapless mikado silk mermaid dress by Pronovias and he decided on a hunter green tuxedo jacket from gentwith.com. I was conflicted and indecisive about a lot but selecting our and the bridal party’s wedding attire was at the top of the list of easiest decisions I made in this process.
Did you incoorporate any culture into your wedding?
Our wedding was on Juneteenth. We were intentional about picking that date because it is a reminder of the love, resilience, and endurance we’ll need to sustain our Black love. We followed the tradition of jumping the broom but also incorporated our Hispanic heritage by doing a joint parent dance to salsa.
What is your best memory from your wedding?
Jahira: To be honest, once the day got started, everything felt like a blur but other than our exchange of vows, my best memory includes a stranger I encountered that morning. She was an older woman who entered the elevator as I was going to the lobby of the hotel. She asked me how my morning was going. I told her I was getting married and she lit up with excitement, asked if she could touch my hand, and began praying for me and our marriage. I know she was sent by God to put me at ease and reassure me that I was marrying the man HE designed for me. It was one the most beautiful interactions I’ve ever had and she set the tone for the rest of the day.
Chad: The first look was my best memory because it reassured me that I was marrying my forever love. I agree everything was a blur after that.
What is the best advice you can give to engaged couples?
It may sound cliché but this is your day and the only thing that matters is the love you share and are building. You should enjoy every moment because it really does go by so fast.
Vendors
- Wedding dress designer: Pronovias
- Bridesmaids dresses: LuLus
- Bride’s hair: Dawn Woods
- Bride’s Makeup Artist: John Mendez
- Bridesmaids’ Hair: Alicia Corsey
- Bridesmaids’ Makeup Artist: Toni Zuniga
- Groom’s attire: Bojoni
- Groomsmen and fathers of the bride attire: The Black Tux
- Ceremony and reception location: The Queens Museum
- Catering and cake: Abigail Kirsch
- Day of coordination: Envisioned Events by Suzette
- DJ and Emcee: Finer Touch Entertainment
- Lighting: Pegasus Productions
- Photography: Manuel Montenegro
- Videography: Luxor Wedding Films
- Florist: NYC flower project
- Glambooth: JJ Pixx Photo Booth
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