Bride
Christina
Corporate Attorney
Groom
Troy
Entrepreneur - Woodworker
Wedding Date
Sat Nov 06 2021
Venue
Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk, Virginia
How You Met
We met in college, while playing spades. Depending on who is telling the story, there are details added about who was victorious. We are both competitive and our spades partners were just the same. It would be a marathon of spades games each time we all got together.
How did you know they were the one?
Christina: When I realized that he is the first person I go to for all occasions... not just the good times. When I realized that a moment wouldn't pass without me thinking of him. When I realized he is my best friend and I wanted to spend the rest of my life with him.
Troy: When I went to her for advice or really looking for her to side with me and she would not agree or disagree, she just turned me to the Lord. She would send me scriptures to help in any situation and has always been by my side. She's my best friend and when I realized I could live the rest of my life and be happy as long as we are together it was when I knew she was the one.
Proposal
On Sept. 23, 2018 we got engaged in front of family and friends, on a yacht, out in the open seas, off the coast of Cartagena, Colombia. It was a moment that we will never forget.
Wedding Shopping
It was fun!! We stopped at one A.C. Moore and realized they were going out of business. We ended up going to about 6 locations trying to get the correct quantities of everything that we wanted. We also ended up putting together our own centerpieces and floral arrangements. The cashiers at Michael's Craft Store were practically our best friends and Amazon visited our home almost everyday during the month prior to the wedding.
Advice for Engaged Couples
Go to marriage counseling and be sure to get the input from your partner on each wedding-planning decision
Describe Your Wedding
The bride’s dress was off-the-shoulder, fitted mermaid style with a 5ft train. The groom’s suit was a burgundy blazer with a white and grey double-breasted vest and grey pants with custom-made wooden bowtie, cufflinks and pocket square. Colors were quartz (dusty rose), chianti (mauve) and grey. Decor was rustic, chic with wood accents. All of the woodwork for the decor was hand-crafted by the groom.
First Dance Song
"Best of Me" by T.Soul
Favorite Memory
Christina: Interacting with our guests during the reception. It was so great to see family and friends that I hadn't seen in over a year due to COVID.
Troy: When my wife began her vows by opening a scroll that went to the ground.
Wedding Party Gifts
Christina’s bridesmaids received personalized hangers, slippers, flasks, makeup bags and tote/beach bags.
Troy’s groomsmen received handmade wooden bow ties, wooden pocket squares, wooden cufflinks, a watch, custom wooden flask, and custom wooden sunglasses
Favorite Menu Item
Christina: The spinach and artichoke dip
Troy: The mashed potatoes
Vendors
Planner - We were our own planners
Coordinator - Yolonda Smith (BY Love Events)
DJ - DJ Precise
Florist - We were our own florists
Bakery - Incredible Edible Bakery
Catering - East Beach Catering
Decor - We were our own decorators
Bridal Party Hair & Makeup - Shericka Henderson
Barber - Zaire Smith
Bridal Boutique - Dress - Studio I Do Bridals
Menswear - Men's Warehouse
Officiant - Darrell Thomsen
Comments