You can never truly be happy in a relationship until you are complete and satisfied with yourself. The time when you are single is the best time explore new things, travel, take on risks, and be independent. However sometimes we can get caught up living for ourselves, and forget that we can share it with someone special. For Caroline a protective wall was built up during her single years. She had to learn that it was okay for someone to come in and join in the amazing life she had formed for herself. Vulnerability can be an intimidating emotion but when you found someone who is receptive and willing to help you express that emotion, that is a keeper. Caroline found the man of her dreams the minute she let her guard down. She found the love she was looking for in Afolabi and he was there with her every step of the way. He knew she was the one and that his late mother would be proud that he chose a beautiful person inside and out.
Quick Wedding Details:
Name of Bride/Bride-to-be: Caroline Baker
Name of Groom/Groom-to-be: Afolabi Dokun
Wedding Date: 10/11/2014
Wedding Location: Atlanta, GA
Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal!:
“Afolabi and I met 5 years ago, after I graduated from business school. I had just moved from Boston to Chicago and a mutual friend of ours invited me to a wine tasting where he wanted to introduce me to his Chicago network. When I arrived at the wine tasting, I didn’t know anyone except the person who invited me. He promptly introduced me to Afolabi, then disappeared. Even though Afolabi knew a few people there, he kept me company the whole night. We did the tasting together, getting to know each other and joking about the experience along the way. When we were done, he asked me to join him for dinner. We’ve been together ever since!
“After a few years of dating, we decided to buy a condo together. We spent a couple of months renovating it and were finally ready to move in by December. On move-in day, he suggested we go to dinner to celebrate (which is something I would typically plan to do). I started to suspect that he might propose, but we went to dinner and drove around the city talking about our dreams and goals in life and as a couple, and no proposal came. When we got home, he mentioned that he never told me what he was grateful for in 2013. He gave me a rock where he had written “Finding my one, the bone of my bone.” Next thing I knew, he had was down on one knee. We spent our first day in our new home as an engaged couple. I couldn’t have asked for a better proposal.”
Wedding Style:
“My dress was a sleeveless, trumpet dress. The rosettes at the bottom gave it the romantic and ethereal feel I was hoping for on my wedding day. I chose my dress with my mom, step-mom, and closest friends.”
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Gifts:
“Got my bridesmaids robes to get ready for the wedding, as well as accessories for the night (shoes, earrings, clutch). The groomsmen received decanters engraved with their last name.”
Favorite Item On Wedding Menu:
“The fried turkey tenders. People still talk about them! Instead of a cake we had an ice cream bar. We didn’t get a chance to have the ice cream but I heard it was really good!”
First Dance Song:
John Legend – Stay with You
Memories:
“Saying our I Do’s! At the end of our ceremony when we were saying our vows, the sun started to set and was shining directly on us. It felt like the heavens were opening up. My mom works at Clark Atlanta and was able to get the Clark Atlanta Philharmonic Choir to sing at our ceremony. They were absolutely amazing. For our recession, they sang Pharrell’s “Happy”. It was so fun to dance down the aisle to that song.”
Help a bride-to-be out!:
“Have each other’s backs. There are a lot of decisions that have to get made when planning a wedding, and a lot of people who have an opinion on how it should go. My husband and I always supported each others’ wishes first and foremost, and were always united in our decisions. It was great practice for marriage.”
Caroline and Afolabi’s beautiful cultural Atlanta wedding took place last year but we wish them a happy a successful marriage for days to come!
Link to wedding video: http://3ringweddings.com/baker-dokun
Vendors
Wedding Planner – Laura Maddox
Wedding Photographer – Ashley & Graham Scobey
Caterer – Proof of the Pudding
Florist/Event Designer – Flowers by Yona
Bridesmaid Dresses – BHLDN
Wedding Dress Designer – Vera Wang
Wedding Dress Salon – Vera Wang Chicago
Hair – Khadijah Jordan from Scoobie West
Makeup – Mikki Farrar
Shoes – Kate Spade
DJ – DJ Tay
Videography – 3 Rings
Ceremony Venue – Ebenezer Baptist Church
Reception Venue – 200 Peachtree
Ugh!!!!!!!! Tooooo beautiful. Blessings to you both.
This is a Beautiful Love Story. Congratulations to both of you.I Wish you Many Happy Blessings to Come.