Nenecia and Michael's Sensual and Sophisticated Engagement in Downtown Birmingham -Munaluchi Bride

Featured in the Winter 2019 issue of MunaLuchi Bride Magazine!
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Nenecia and Michael’s love story began as sweethearts in the hallways of their high school. Sharing a circle of friends, they knew of each other but didn’t truly begin to know each other until sharing an elective class together where a friendship quickly formed, a friendship that soon blossomed into feelings of love. Before long their relationship became official and a bowling date for Nenecia’s seventeenth birthday would only continue to confirm their feelings for each other. Over time their love grew stronger until Michael began planning their perfect proposal. Following the tradition of romantic birthday surprises, he arranged a restaurant proposal for Nenecia’s 24th birthday, but this time they would both receive the greatest gift of all – each other…

Read all about Nenecia & Michael’s love story, proposal, and wedding aspirations, in their sensual and sophisticated engagement in downtown Birmingham – beautifully captured by MunaLuchi Coterie member 2b|Photography.

Bride & Groom-to-be: Nenecia & Michael
Venue/Location(s) for Engagement Session: Elyton Hotel, Linn Park, Federal Courthouse (all located in Downtown Birmingham, Alabama)
Engagement Session Date: Thursday, October 4, 2018
Wedding Date: Saturday, May 18, 2019
Location of Wedding: Vulcan Park and Museum, Birmingham, Alabama
Photographer: 2b|Photography

How They Met: We met in 2008 at Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer, Alabama during his senior and my sophomore year. Before dating Michael, I actually dated one of his best friends for about a month. Michael referred to me as his “sister” during that brief period. When his friend and I broke up, I would see Michael in the hallways, and he would act as if he didn’t even know me. A couple of months later, we ended up sharing an elective class together. One day, just out of nowhere, he pulled my hair. That’s when I knew he liked me. Some time passed and on another instance, one of Michael’s friends called me out of the classroom and told me that Michael wanted to “talk” to me. In my head I was like, “I’m not about to talk to him.” I reluctantly gave him my number. He texted and called me the same night. Surprisingly, we had a really good conversation because I initially thought he was very quiet. We became close friends and began dating officially in November 2010.

The Proposal: We got engaged on my 24th birthday, September 2017. I was mad at Michael because he had another event to attend the same night that I couldn’t attend because I was seven months pregnant with our son Major. The whole time he was like, “You’re going to have a good birthday,” and I was thinking to myself, how am I going to have a good birthday because I felt like I was about to be ditched. We went to dinner at Flemings Steakhouse in Birmingham. When we go out to eat dinner, we usually eat pretty fast. This time, we sat and mingled. We finished our meal and the waiter suggested that we get dessert, and Michael was insistent on me having dessert. When the waiter brought out the plate, I saw the ring arranged in the strawberry. I looked at Michael and was like, “What is this?” Then I turned around and saw my older sister Naquela recording the whole thing. Michael got down on one knee and asked me, “Nenecia Tiana Webster, will you be my wife?” I just nodded by head “yes.” Everyone in the restaurant applauded. It was like a scene out of a movie. One of the other restaurant patrons gave Michael a $50 bill to congratulate us.

Describe your engagement session. It was fun. I felt awkward at first, but our photographer worked really hard to bring out the best in us. Michael was a natural. We were in Downtown Birmingham, in the middle of the city, so we had an audience. People were stopping and blowing their horns at us. They were amping us up. Even when we were in the staircase of the Elyton Hotel, we received many compliments – people saying we looked great and were asking what was the occasion was.

What did you do on your first date? Michael and I went bowling on my 17th birthday at Vestavia Bowling. We made a bet that whoever won the first game would win $20. I won. Michael, being a sore loser, wanted a chance to win his money back. He was able to redeem himself the next game. We called it even.

Favorite thing to do as a couple? We like going out to dinner, having drinks and taking trips.

How did you know they were “the one”? Michael: “We just had a really close friendship. I knew I could confide in Nenecia things that I wouldn’t tell anyone else. When you have that kind of relationship with someone, you just don’t want to lose it.”
Nenecia: “I knew he was the one when I brought him home to meet my parents. I had never brought anyone home to meet my dad before. I don’t think he cared for the idea of me dating. I was the biggest daddy’s girl, so his approval meant everything to me. He loved Michael from the moment he met him. He thought he couldn’t do any wrong. My father passed away last May 2017. I’m grateful that my fiancé got a chance to know him over the last eight years.”

How has wedding planning been so far? So far, it’s been smooth. The planning part is not as bad as people make it. We’ve been blessed enough to not have to burden others with the planning and the financial aspect of paying for a wedding. It feels good to be able to do this on our own. We’ve had it easy choosing vendors because our venue has a list of businesses they work with so it narrows down the decision-making process.

What are you looking forward to most on the wedding day? We’re looking forward to officially becoming a family. We have a one-year-old together, and he gets to be a part of our special day. It wouldn’t surprise us if he steals the show!