When you have fun just looking at wedding photos, then you know actually being there had to be fun. This is my sentiment of Catarah and Carlos' wedding in Miami, Florida this past July. After scrolling through pictures from the bride and groom and their guests via their #cncwedding2014 hash tag, I could see a wedding weekend filled with lots of love, fun, and great times.
I know Catarah from my days on the Hill at Florida A&M University and she's also a native of my parent's hometown, Green Cove Springs, FL. I'm happy to share her beautiful, beach chic wedding with you today on Chronicles.
Catarah + Carlos Coleman
Wedding Date: July 26,2014
Location: The Miami Beach
Resort and Spa, Miami Beach,
FL
Time: 5:30 PM
Colors: Coral, Mint and Gold
Theme: Beach Chic
How did you meet your husband?
We met at church!!! We both were new to West Angeles here in
Los Angeles and
met in the young adult ministry.
How did he propose?
He proposed at the tail end of our good friend's wedding,
right before the single ladies song. I always told him that I never wanted to
be asked to marry someone on another persons special day; but this was
different. The week before the wedding, the groom's dad died a tragic death
during a boating accident. It was a very sad week leading into such a special
occasion. What I didn't know at the time that Carlos actually had plans to ask
me to marry him the night of the wedding on the beach (we were in Myrtle Beach, SC.
However, the bride and groom asked that he made the "big ask" during
the reception to bring a bit more happiness to the sad undertone of their
recent loss.
Toward the end of the night, Carlos pulled me to the dance
floor and as danced we laughed! All of sudden the song slowed down to one of my
favorite songs, At Last. So we begin to dance slow and I closed my eyes. When I
opened them we seemed to be the only two people dancing, but thought nothing of
it until I saw everyone was just looking at us... and smiling. As I asked
Carlos, "why is everyone staring at us"? He looked at me ,stepped
away and I saw the microphone in his hand. As he got on the
"infamous" one knee, I instantly ran into the nearest corner,
covered my face and cried like a baby! LOL.... He said some amazing words
and I cried again and said a loud and excited YES!!! He even surprised me and
had my parents present. It was a great day!
Did you begin wedding planning right away or did you wait some
time after the engagement?
LOL... we pretty much knew when and where we wanted within
the first month of our engagement. Less than two months we had a wedding
planner.
Did you have a wedding planner? If so, how did your planner
help with wedding plans?
YES!!!! She was amazing. I had not one stress of the
wedding, she did her job extremely well. She provided us with all of our
vendors, kept us on budget, accompanied us on vendor visits, helped with the
invitations, decor, timeline, guest list, seating charts, etc. You name it.
How did you choose your wedding location?Was it your first
choice or did you look at other locations?
No, Miami
wasn't our first choice. We chose Miami because
I am from Florida but actually wanted a
destination wedding like Hawaii, but we knew
that would be a financial strain for a lot of our family so we decided to keep
it stateside in the sunny Miami.
We figured it was tropical enough to give us what we wanted and our families
could drive there.
Looking at the photos from your #cncwedding2014 hash tag, I could tell
that your wedding weekend was a lot of fun. What activities did you
plan for your guests for the weekend?
Awe thank you!!!! It was so much fun. Everything started that Thursday and ended on Sunday or
early Monday morning. [Note: See Catarah and Carlos' wedding weekend events below, under their wedding vendors]
How did you spend the day getting prepared to walk down the aisle?
I absolutely cherished the hours I spent in my suite with my
girls, close friends and family. We started make up at 7am that morning. with 8
bridesmaids, 2 moms, 3 hostess we needed every moment. Breakfast for everyone
arrived at 9am and later boxed lunches from Panera Bread. Around noon the
champagne arrived! Carlos sent his best man to present my gifts (DROP DEAD
BEAUTIFUL). I sent ALLLLL of my girls to give Carlos a special book of photos
from me. Throughout the day there was music, laughing, crying and lots of hugs.
I presented my wedding party with their gifts (custom beach towels and robes;
they also received "no ugly crying" cloth hankies and
wedding jewelry. As the day went on I finished up my vows, started photos
and video and finally the moment came to for me put on my dress.
What special touches did you include to make your wedding personal/memorable?
I was able to make charms that hung from my bouquet with
photos of my loved ones who had passed away. The cell phone charging station
kept our guest's phone charged, The special love song performed by Carlos and
his groomsmen, our mother son and father daughter dances that started off one
way and end another, and Carlos' cigar box inspired grooms cake. We also
had the garter wrapped around a miniature basketball signed by Mr. D. Wade to
persuade the men to get out of their seats to catch it, our wedding party
intros to (guys) Justin Timberlake's Suit and Tie and (girls) Beyonce's
Flawless songs set the tone early.
What
advice would you give to a bride who is planning her Big Day, specifically a
bride planning a destination wedding?
Get help! Even if you are a planner yourself, weddings are
time consuming and expensive, having someone to help is a smart option if
possible. If you can't hire someone, allow talented friends and family lend a
hand. It will save you from lots of stress.
See Catarah and Carlos' beautiful wedding trailer below:
Catarah and Carlos from
CuratedHue on
Vimeo.
WEDDING VENDORS
Planner/Consultant: Jessica Campbell Events
Photographer: Brian Wagoner/wedding and David Sutta/
engagement
Videographer: Darryl Campbell
Hair: Shek Hair - Shekeila Parson
Make-Up: Tasheba Johnson
Bridal Salon: Winnie Couture Beverly Hills
Bridesmaids Attire: David's Bridal
Groom and Groomsmen Attire: Groom/custom tux
by Rochester Big and Tall ; groomsmen/ Hollywood Suits
Cake: Southern Girl Desserts
DJ: DJ Money D
Wedding Venue: The Miami Beach Resort and Spa
Reception Venue: same
Flowers: Petal Productions
Lighting: Evoga Event Production
Tuxedos:guys wore suits
Stationery: Princess K Creations (Invitations)
Favors: Clementine Weddings
Transportation: Miami Limo Coach
Wedding Weekend Events
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