Modern Summer Wedding in North Carolina: Tenicia + Justin

Good thing that we sometimes get a second chance to make a first impression and in Justin’s case, a third chance. The first time Tenicia met at Justin was at his 25^th birthday on July 18, 2008. She left thinking he was too “quite and stand offish.”  They would meet again in December 2008. This time Justin, who barely drinks, was a little drunk and according to Tenicia, he acted like a “loud, cocky and a know-it-all.”  He tried to talk to her all night, but she shut him down. The next day he apologized for his behavior, but the couple would not connect in person again until a Super Bowl gathering in February 2009. The third time was the charm. Justin was “smart, funny, caring, handsome, family-oriented… the complete package,” Tenicia reminisces. It was the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

Justin proposed to Tenicia during her birthday week at a restaurant in front of family and friends.  They had a modern summer wedding with a bright color scheme.  Tenicia hares, “We chose mint green to represent growth and positive energy and coral to represent a warm, vibrate love.” They wanted a traditional wedding ceremony and venue, so they exchanged hand written vows at Memorial Baptist Church, one of the most historic African American churches in Raleigh, NC. For their reception, they wanted to party at a place where everyone could have fun, so they decided on a unique location: a kid’s museum!! Lady Iman Photography beautifully photographed this gorgeous summer wedding!

 

The Proposal

Justin proposed the week of my birthday. The night before the proposal, we ended up getting into an argument, and the next day I wasn’t even talking to him. He finally came around and asked if I still wanted to go to dinner with him for my birthday. I reluctantly agreed and half-heartedly put on an outfit. When we arrived to Herons Restaurant in Cary, NC, I noticed we were the only people dining. He pulled out a bag with some of my favorite perfume and apologized for the argument the night before (turns out he was just really nervous about proposing). When I started to open my birthday gift, I felt all of the waiters in the restaurant staring at us. I paused for a minute and thought it was odd. By the time I looked back at Justin, he started smiling and said he had one more gift. Then he pulled out the ring and started getting down on one knee. To say I was shocked would be an understatement. It was an out of body experience. I was so surprised I could barely say yes and forgot which hand the ring went on haha. After the proposal, the wait staff said congratulations and brought out special dishes they had prepared along with champagne. As we progressed through the night he kept the surprises and gifts coming, while I supplied the tears and smiles. It was the best birthday ever!

Wedding Theme

We wanted a modern, summer wedding that celebrated all the amazing aspects of our relationship. We chose mint green to represent growth and positive energy and coral to represent a warm, vibrate love. We also wanted a traditional wedding ceremony and venue, then a place where everyone can have fun for the reception. We were married at Tupper Memorial Baptist Church, one of the most historic African American churches in Raleigh… and what better place to have fun for a wedding reception than at a kid’s museum?

Wedding Style

My wedding dress was from the Blush Label Winnie Couture line. It was a strapless mermaid dress with silhouette lace bodice, sweetheart neckline, beaded belt and layered organza skirt. When I saw the dress it was love at first site. I walked in and out with dress tow within 30 minutes. The boutique was even surprised. They told me I set a record for fastest time picking out a dress, haha. I also wore the veil my pharmacy classmate so graciously gifted me with. It was a floor length mantilla veil with a fully scalloped embroidered lace border. Definitely my favorite wedding accessory.

Most Memorable Moment 

My best wedding memory was my husband and I saying our vows to each other. When we got engaged, we decided we wanted to write our vows to make it more personal and meaningful. My husband is a writer so I knew his vows would be beautiful. I felt I had to come up with something just as spectacular. The wedding day came and went so fast that almost everything seemed like a blur – except our wedding vows. I remember being SO nervous before the wedding; Would I forget what I wrote when it was my turn? Would I be a crying mess? Would he like what I said? By the time the vows came around I looked into my husband’s eyes and it erased all my fears from before. When he was saying his vows to me, it reminded me how blessed I was to have found my soulmate. When I said my vows, I realized for him it didn’t matter how eloquently I spoke or how beautiful the words were, as long as it came from my heart it was special. I still look at the wedding video and get choked up every time!

Help a Bride Out

Remember the wedding is a celebration of you and your wonderful hubby-to-be. You don’t have to spend a fortune to have the wedding of your dreams; as long as your special day reflects the love you have for one another, everything will be perfect. Happy planning!

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