Vibrant Purple and Magenta Wedding in Florida: Tamela + Gary

Gary and Tamela’s love story spans decades. They met through a mutual friend back in 1999 at one of Gary’s Football games. Gary was a freshman at Morris Brown College, and Tamela was a freshman at Florida State University. While their courtship did not begin at that point in time, the two managed to “keep in touch” via a mutual friend. Who would have guessed ten years later in April of 2010, Gary and Tamela would go out on their first date?

Their connection was instant, and three years later on  September 21, 2013, Gary proposed to Tamela during a romantic stroll down the Riverwalk in Jacksonville, Florida. They had a vibrant purple and magenta wedding, filled with gorgeous flowers and decor accented with pops of green.. Tamela even changed into a stunning form fitting purple gown for the reception. AJ Shorter Photography beautifully captured all of the stunning details.

Bride: Tamela Walker- Nurse
Groom: Gary Walker, Jr.- Detective
Wedding Date: 07/05/2014
Wedding Location: Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista South, Kissimmee, Fl

Quick Facts

                       

How They Met

Gary and I met through a mutual friend at his college football game in 1999. We kept in touch through the years and became a couple in 2010. Our entire relationship was long distance, Gary lived in Georgia while I lived in Florida.

The Proposal

He proposed in September 2013 in Jacksonville, Fl. One morning after breakfast we decided to take in the view on the Riverwalk. At the end of our walk Gary handed me a gift-bag. Inside was an empty picture frame. He said it was for our first picture as husband and wife! He got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. I said YES and the rest is history.

Wedding Style 

Venice Ballgown by Kenneth Pool. Hand beaded crystals throughout with customized tulle pickups and crystals on skirt. My favorite wedding accessory was my crystal headpiece I purchased from Etsy.

Incorporation of Culture

Not necessarily cultural but religious . We performed the 3-cord ceremony. Using Purple for God, Gold for Husband, and White for Bride. We braided them together. It symbolically represents us joining together as one. Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

Most Memorable Moment 

The entrance to the ballroom for the ceremony. It was the most amazing feeling in the world to see everyone come to share with us on the best day of our lives. Both of us walked down the aisle-separately, of course, and it was definitely a dream come true to see everything come together.

Help a bride-to-be out

Remember there is life after the wedding. Don’t get too caught up in the planning that you forget each other. It can be very stressful and overwhelming but if you work together, it will lighten the load. Gary and I chose a scripture to recite when we needed to refocus. All things work together for those that love the Lord. In the end, God kept his promise.

Vendors

• Planner, Event designer, stationery, florist: Special Affairs by Sylvia-Sylvia Riley
• Photography: AJ Shorter Photography
• Ceremony and Reception location: Embassy Suites Lake Buena Vista South
• Wedding Cake: Just for U Cakes
• Makeup: Makeupcraze-Danielle Brown
• Hair: Artistry by Maya-Maya Lewis-Johnson; Iris Shepard & Toria Cooper
• Wedding dress: Kenneth Pool
• Wedding dress salon: Solutions Bridal
• Bridesmaids: Lazaro
• Bride and Bridesmaid shoes: Steve Madden