Abdul Haiyy proposed to Kimberly in an intimate cottage, while cuddling with her in front of the fireplace. The couple decided to also make intimacy a priority when planning their wedding. Kimberly shares, “We knew we wanted an intimate celebration, surrounded by love and full of romance and fun which for us meant good people, great food and great music! Every person invited had a personal connection to the two of us.”
Keeping a tight guest list allowed Kimberly to be very involved in the planning process. She recalls, “I planned every aspect of our wedding from the string quartet to the warm cookie service for the guests still partying late into the evening.” This couple loves dinning at renown establishments, so excellent food was a priority for their reception. They were ecstatic that all the food at served at their venue, Hotel Fauchere in Milford, Pennsylvania, came fresh from a venue owned farm that was a mile away.
Besides the superb food, the guests loved the couple’s design decisions which included monochromatic florals and custom throw pillows that accented the sofas in their lounge. Everyone was moved when Abdul Haiyy surprised Kimberley for their first dance! Kimberly shares, “He had our good friend, Eric Roberson, an amazing singer, songwriter, Grammy nominated indy artist arrange a song dedicated to me.” However, the bride reminisces that the most memorable moment for their guests was receiving hand written notes from the couple. She recounts, “At each guest’s place setting they found an envelope with their name on it. Enclosed was a handwritten note from either my husband or me, [which] shared a memory we had with that guest or told them how much they’ve meant to us or how they influenced our lives. This added surprise element seemed to increase the feeling of love and intimacy. The vibe was magical!” Kimberly and Abdul Haiyy’s wedding reminds us that while elegant flower arrangements are beautiful, simple personalized details can also leave a lasting impression on your wedding day. Joy Marie Photography captured all of the heartfelt moments of their special day.
- Bride: Kimberly Moore – Attorney
- Groom: Abdul Haiyy Moore – Senior Manager, Digital Marketing
- Wedding Date: 10/06/2012
- Wedding Location: Hotel Fauchere – Milford, Pennsylvania
How They Met
We were introduced by a friend of mine from high school that is also my husband’s cousin. They were at a John Legend concert in the town I live in. She called me during intermission. I’d just decided not to go to a party in Manhattan and was home watching a movie. She told me to ‘get dressed’ that they would come get me afterward to grab a drink. My future husband was the driver! Abdul Haiyy doesn’t drink so we actually went in search of apple pie for me. (It was Thanksgiving weekend and I hadn’t had any dessert). Turns out we couldn’t find all american apple pie after going to at least 3 different chain restaurants and 1 diner (which showed me his kindness and patience). We ended up buying a frozen pie from the grocery store and going back to my house. I served herbal tea and we all chatted. The pie wasn’t ready until after midnight. Abdul Haiyy was falling asleep and I had an early spin class the next morning so we said our goodbye’s and my guests left 5 minutes before the pie came out the oven. To this day, my husband has never gotten over being sent home smelling like pie without having a piece!
The Proposal
In front of a fireplace in our bungalow in Kennebunkport, Maine. Our birthdays are a week apart (me 8/28, AH 9/5) so on the in between week we drove to a fabulous resort in Kennebunkport, Maine comprised of individual cottages and bungalows. It’s a “flip-flop chic”, romantic and secluded environment that also offers a family friendly main house for swimming, afternoon snacks, bonfires and smores etc. if you want to mingle with others. We’d gone to a fantastic dinner at the award winning, farm to fork dining, restaurant on the property and had been having a conversation that had spanned all day long about life together and the future. Immediately upon reaching of bungalow I put on the fireplace and took off my clothes, wrapped myself in the plush robe and sat on the sofa to continue our dialogue. At some point during this time AbdulHaiyy sitting at the opposite end of the sofa, slid down on one knee and pulled this box from behind the pillow. I started crying immediately. I h ear him say “there are a lot of things I could say right now … but I know I love you a lot and ….” I dont remember another word with accuracy. I was crying and constantly repeating “OMG” and then “yes” whenever I knew to interject that!
Most Memorable Moment
How perfect and flawless the day played out. With the threat of and then actual down pour of rain just before first look pictures. The sky cleared up at the exact moment we needed it to! It felt like God was our wedding coordinator. We took amazing pictures and returned to the venue to find the ceremony was set up to be out in the garden (as planned) and that every element I worked so hard was meticulously executed by the staff, came to life and was truly appreciated by our guests. I never felt rushed or lost sight of the moment. My focus was completely on my husband and his on me. It was a magical evening. We ate and enjoyed every course of the meal, laughed, danced, cried (ALOT!) and fell more in love. I was constantly warned that it goes so fast, you don’t get to eat, to pay attention to your spouse & don’t worry about your guests…. None of that was a problem for us. We had a ball!
Also, Abdul Haiyy surprised me for our first dance! He had our good friend, Eric Roberson, an amazing singer, songwriter, Grammy nominated indy artist (that was unable to attend due to a performance in South Africa on the same day) arrange a song dedicated to me. Because I’d planned every inch of this day, when the song started and I didn’t recognize it I became super curious. When I heard Eric’s voice I got excited and then completely overcome with emotion. The tears started to flow for both of us! It was all so beautiful! I was extremely humbled by the fact that my husband wanted to do something for me to show how much he appreciated all my hard work. I also later found out he priced a fireworks display (because I’m obsessed with them!) but thought it would take away from the intimacy we’d already created. I couldn’t love this man more!
Loving You Is Easy
From the Groom… Every day, I feel that having Kimberly in my life is a reward because she makes me a better person and a better man. I admire her strength, determination and passion. She always strives for the best and I am fortunate to benefit from and be inspired by her drive.
From the Bride…I love his heart. My husband is the most genuinely generous person I’ve ever met. He gives truly to make someone else happy or better, not to curry favor or so it can be seen by others. He has endured some struggles (health wise) from a young age and I so appreciate that is hasn’t made him bitter or jaded. He has the best, most infectious laugh, it’s contagious! I giggle every time I hear it.
I also love his eyes and those lips!!! :)
Vendors
- Venue – Hotel Fauchere
- Photographer – Joy Marie Photography
- Videographer – Well Spun Weddings
- Florist – Laurel Grove Florist
- Cake – Lulu’s Cake Boutique
- Dress – Amsale
- Hair – Diane Nelson
- Makeup – Danielle Garcia for Bobbi Brown
- Shoes – Jimmy Choo
- Groom’s Tux and shirt: Hugo Boss Red Label purchased from The Men’s Store at Bloomingdale’s
- Groom’s Shoes: Cole Haan
- Groom’s Tie/Hankerchief: SEIGO
- DJ – DJ Parler
- Stationery: Invites & place card notes by William Arthur; Thank you note by Crane’s; Programs by Trace Paper Designs
- Calligraphers: Invitations by Karol Cohen; Signs/Place Settings/ Table Numbers – Calligraphesque by Meghan Callow
- Monogram pillows by Kelsi Creates
Every time I see my daughter and her husband, be it in person or in photo’s such as the wedding, I get a lump in my throat. I feel pure joy for them. I can tell that she is happy and that Abdul-Haiyy is the reason for that happiness.
Congratulations! Great choice of rings!
Thank you for the kind words. We like them too! :)
What touching and glamorous photos! So happy for the two of you!