There comes a time in your life where you have to go through some sort of major self reflection. Like that epiphany that causes you to realize that you deserve better in your life. Life is not something you can always sit around and wait for something to happen. YOU have to make that happen and know when there needs to be a change. When it comes to our love lives, sometimes we may neglect or overlook them unknowingly. We cannot allow that to happen. Having a healthy loving relationship is something we all deserve. But we have to wake up and realize when that time is. Getting into a relationship requires two people to be whole and complete. Until then we have to realize when we are settling and make the change that will lead us to be truly happy.
Lloyd Owens knew when it was his time to stop settling and go after what he knew he deserved. He saw the woman he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life for years but was scared. He knew he had to be the best man he could be in order to be with the woman of his dreams. And when he finally reached that point, the both of them stood at the altar before God to bless their matrimony.
Name of Bride/Bride-to-be: Candice Owens
Name of Groom/Groom-to-be: Lloyd Owens
Wedding Date: 10/19/2014
Wedding Location: Rob Fleming Park, The Woodlands, TX
Favorite item on wedding menu: Schilleci’s Bread Pudding!
First dance song: “You & I” by Avant featuring KeKe Wyatt
Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal!
“I remember like it was yesterday, 13 years ago I saw her for the first time & haven’t been able to take my eyes off her since. I knew she’d be special, amazing & wanted her to be mine, but…I froze up! There were a million & one reasons why that wasn’t the right time for “us”. So, I watched from afar, not knowing what to say or how to say it.
Then I left and headed back to Atlanta. I’d visit home & see her at church, still unable to say anything other than a weak hello. Our timing still wasn’t right. We both had other things going on.
Time passed and I decided it was time to come home for a few months. I wanted a fresh start, a clean slate, and my family close. After having a conversation with my mother while I was at home, it made me realize what I wanted in life.
I knew more than ever that I had to stop settling. One Sunday morning, I finally had the nerve collected to let her [Candice] know I’ve had a crush on her for at least ten years. And when I finally let her know, we haven’t looked back since.
“I proposed on Mother’s Day. I cooked dinner for her, her mother, and sister-in-law as well as my mother. The men served the women. Once dinner was done, I gathered everyone in the family room, to listen to my son recite a poem I had just written for the Mothers.
After that I grabbed the billboards that I had created with “Dear Her” poems I had composed for Candice. I read them off the billboards tossing them as I was done.
Finally I got to the last three which read, “Will” ,”You”, and “Marry Me”, with an arrow pointing up at me and she said yes!”
“It wasn’t easy, but it was so worth it! She was armed with her short list of “non-negotiables”, but for me I was willing to do just about anything to change her last name.Our relationship progressed from friendship, to courtship, to engagement we made it. I get to marry my “bestie”!”—Lloyd
Wedding Style
“My dress was amazing and custom made just for me! My husband’s friend, Yadiyda Oppong, of Yadiyda Clothing offered to make my dress as wedding gift to us. It was a mermaid style, ivory stretch stain dress with crystal beaded trimming. Masters of tulle were draped from the knee down. It was perfect and just how I envisioned myself to look on my wedding day.”
Memories
“My best memory is the overall feeling of the day. It was absolutely stress free and we were surrounded by close family and friends who have always loved and supported us.” —Candice
Candice and Lloyd had a fun outdoor turquoise and purple Texas wedding! Some of the decor was reminiscent of their engagement session. They incorporated this color scheme throughout the ceremony and reception. Decor such as turquoise glitter table runners, a cute ombre purple cake, and purple flowers could be seen across. The wedding brought a sense of fresh, fun, and whimsical spontaneity.
Help a bride-to-be out!
“Do the day exactly the way you want it! Don’t get bogged down trying to meet others expectations of what is wedding etiquette and tradition. Enjoy yourself and don’t stress over small details. Remember that this one day belongs to you and your fiancé.”
Your Vendors
Photography: Kristen Curette
Dress: Yadiyda Clothing
Makeup: Andonnia of VX faces
Cake: Cakes by Concita
Decor: Arlene Leblanc and Carlin Ardoin
Florist: Jerald Rhodes, HEB Blooms
Ceremony Location: Rob Fleming Park, The Woodland, TX
Reception Venue: Schilleci’s New Orleans Kitchen
Simply beautiful!
Wow,,,,simply stunning!!