Cupid’s arrow struck true when it brought Tai and Ken together on the popular dating app in 2016.
Topping Tai’s search list for men in her area, Ken was ranked at a 97% match. Impressed with how much alike they were, Tai sent Ken a message. As equally as impressed with Tai, Ken responded with his phone number and they “spent the next three months in constant communication.” Over the years together Tai and Ken have continued to prove just how perfect for each other they are, traveling the world together, immersing themselves into different cultures, culinary experiences and simply enjoying each other’s company. Knowing in their hearts that they had found “the one”, Ken orchestrated their perfect proposal…
Bride & Groom-to-be: Tai & Ken
Date of Proposal: 10/12/2019
Proposal Location: Silver Springs, Maryland
Wedding Date: 8/28/20
Tell us how you met! Tai and ken met a few years ago in 2016 on the popular dating app OkCupid! Ken had been a longtime user, but his search for “the one” was to no avail. Soon after creating an account and answering match questions, Tai searched for men in her area, and Ken topped the list with a 97% match! She then took a day reading his answers to the match questions and was impressed they were so much alike. She made the first move and sent him a private message. The private message Ken received was impressive, to say the least, and showed a lot of the personality that Ken would come to adore. He responded in-kind with his cell phone number and encouraged her to reach out to him beyond the app. They spent the next three months in constant communication while Tai studied for the Bar Exam. Ken holds on to the initial message sent by Tai as a reminder of the first day of forever.
What makes your relationship unique? Tai and I share an incomparable love for international travel, new cultures, documentaries, and foreign films. Collectively, she and I have been to over 70 countries and have traveled to 8 total together. Never one to shy away from a new adventure, we enjoy filling our trips with massive excursions and experiences that we can take with us after we leave. In Guatemala, we climbed the volcano known as Pacaya and watched its neighbor Fuego erupt in the night sky as we ventured back down to the base. In Cuba, we learned to play the bongos and enjoyed salsa dancing with the locals. In Kenya, while on safari, the Chief of the indigenous Maasai Tribe enthusiastically welcomed us to his home and treated us to a fantastic dinner and night of tribal dancing and song within the village located on the National Wildlife Reserve. What makes our relationship unique is that we both know that as long as we are together, life will always be exciting and full of adventure. The world is vast and full of wonder. We plan to see all of it.
How did you know your partner was the one? They both knew each was the one the moment we first laid eyes on each other. They had spent so much time getting to know each other over the phone for several months before the first date. Long enjoyable days spent talking and laughing as if a relationship already existed. As soon as Tai walked up to their first date and saw Ken in person (who stands an impressive 6’6″), she said to herself, “This is it, this is my man!” In the era of “Catfish,” Tai, being the cautious one of the two, had to meet him in person first to solidify her feelings. That first date lasted 12 hours, of which we both felt was too short. A week later, they made it official and have been inseparable ever since.
Give us all the details of the proposal! Two years ago, after watching a post on social media, Tai remarked that she wouldn’t mind having family and friends present during a proposal. Being the conscientious person I am, I took personal note of this information and mentally planned what would become her surprise proposal. I decided to find a venue that would serve as both a beautiful venue to propose and, subsequently, an engagement photoshoot. I found Mrs. K’s Toll House located in Silver Spring, MD. The site is host to several events and weddings that enjoy its country charm and floral decadence. I fell in love with its beauty and reserved it. A month prior, I invited 45 of our closest family and friends. Her mother was in charge of decor elements and guest management before our arrival. My mother was in charge of creative features and assisted with logistics. I hired Megan Rei of Megan Rei Photography to be my Surprise Proposal and Engagement Photographer. Later that week, we went on a very lavish date to dinner and the opera. I hinted that I wanted to enjoy more frequent, similar nights where we both “dressed up” and had a fascinating evening together. I asked her to ensure her schedule was clear the night that would become my engagement proposal. She believed we were to partake in another lavish date; this was a ruse. For the next month, I casually convinced her to allow me to pick her dress, her hairstyle, her shoes, and finally, her nails to prepare for our “date.” She eagerly anticipated the night, yet still had no clue as to what we would be doing. Finally, on that fateful day, we arrived at the restaurant and entered the venue, filled with our friends and family (unbeknownst to her). As we entered the room, she had a look of confusion affixed to her face and came to recognize the persons standing before her with smiles on their faces. I grabbed her by the hand, leading her to a lit tree-like structure surrounded by flowers in the middle of the room. I began to read the proposal vows I had written, and she soon began to smile as she realized what was about to happen shortly. I went down to one knee and watched as she gleefully hopped up and down like a child on Christmas day for what was to come. As I opened the ring box, I asked her to marry me. She was overcome by shock at the ring I had presented her, as was everyone in the room. The ring box came equipped with an led light that accentuated the “wow” effect for the big moment. After a few seconds in awe, she quickly came to her senses and screamed an emphatic yes! It was the best day of our lives, and it all went just as I planned, I couldn’t have been happier.
Tell us all about that ring! Tai’s ring is a custom 5.3ct/11x9mm Radiant cut Forever One with tapered baguettes and side stones on 3/4 of the platinum band. I started working with Gloria Thorson of MoissaniteBridal.com about a year ago to craft all of the specifics of what would become my fiance’s dream ring. The service and professionalism were excellent, and Gloria made the nervewracking experience infinitely better. Before its development, we went on a date and found ourselves casually ring shopping. This event was very early in our relationship, which was a good thing because it took more time than anticipated to design and pay in full. Tai selected elements she liked in 2 or 3 different rings and left it up to me to choose a ring inspired by her choices. I decided to go with a custom ring, unlike any I had seen on the market that exemplified all the elements I took note that she loved. The final result was a showstopper that proudly portrays our love and dedication to each other.
Are you excited to start planning your wedding day? Capricorns are consummate planners, structured and disciplined people. As true Capricorns, we have already planned out about 75% of our wedding (even down to the venue)! We’ve spent the past two years casually and eventually seriously discussing our future and how our special day would be. We both knew that when the proposal came, we’d be able to jump right in. There’s not a lot more we have to discuss or decide on, as now is the execution phase! We have commissioned Ken’s younger brother to marry us in front of 125 guests. We plan on having a very heartfelt, sentimental ceremony that will culminate our desire and intent to marry each other from the very beginning.
Vendors:
Photographer: Megan Rei Photography
Venue: Mrs. K’s Toll House Restaurant
Planner: Extravagance Creative Designs
Tuxedo: Joseph Abboud from Men’s Wearhouse
Dress: Rent the Runway
Ring Designer: Charles and Colvard
Hair: Dreamweaver X
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