Wednesday, September 2, 2015

ENGAGED: SHANDREKA JOHNSON TO MARCUS JONES

What a way to ring in 2015, with a beautiful New Year's day proposal. I was actually present to witness this lovely occasion. After an uplifting Watch Night service, I remember hearing whispers of, "He's about to propose, he's about to propose to Shan." I didn't catch it immediately until I saw Shandreka and Marcus' family and friends gathering together with their cameras to capture the proposal.

Marcus gave a very heartfelt speech leading up to the Big Question. He spoke of his grandmother (who is now at home with the Lord) and how she admonished Shandreka. Shandreka stood calmly, at first, listening to Marcus, then he got on his knee...

I am happy to share today's proposal story of such a wonderful couple. See how Shandreka reacted before her "yes" and find out more about their wonderful day.






Date of Proposal: January 1, 2015
Wedding Date: April 29, 2016
Wedding Location: Orlando, Florida
Social Media Links: (@sassy_butterfli @bigmarc407
Wedding Website: Under Construction (In progress)
Wedding Hashtag: #KeepinupwiththeJONESES



Shandreka & Marcus



How did your fiancĂ© propose? 
At church at Watch Night Service (New Year’s)








Did you know that a proposal was coming? 
No, not really but I knew something was up when I saw all my family with their cameras.


What was your reaction? 
Speechless (big cry baby).



How did you celebrate the proposal that day/night? 
Went to grab something to eat went home and went to sleep. 




How did you share the news with friends and family? 
My family and friends all knew about the proposal….expect me (lol)









Did you/will you be having an engagement party? 
No I will not be having an engagement party. At first I wanted one but changed my mind.





What did you love the most about your proposal? 
That it took place in church and he took time to think about how he wanted to propose and also got my family and friends involved to help keep it a secret.




Was your proposal everything you dreamed it would be? 
Yes




More photos of the happy couple












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Photo Credits: Shandreka Johnson, Marcus Jones, Opulent Artistic Imagery





Wednesday, August 19, 2015

ENGAGED: JAMIA FELDER TO WILLIS MCPHEE

I saw photos of Jamia and Willis's engagement on One Party to Remember's Instagram and thought it was beautiful. I could tell by the few photos that I saw, that the future groom put a lot of thought into the proposal. The beautiful yellow color scheme added to the romance of the occasion and the location was a beautiful backdrop to such an important day.

As always, when I see a story that speaks to everything that Chronicles is about, I have to share it :-) Today, I'm happy to share the story of Jamia and Willis. 





Date of Proposal: November 9, 2014
Wedding Date: November 2016
Wedding location: Orlando, Florida


Jamia + Willis




How did your fiance' propose?
It was a warm Sunday evening in which I thought we were going to an early birthday dinner. My fiancĂ© was in town to celebrate my birthday early because he would be out of town on a basketball trip the week of my birthday. On the ride to what I thought was dinner, Willis asked me to put on a blindfold because he had a surprise. I complied. The car came to a stop and Willis helped me out of the car and held my hand and would not let it go. Willis was very calm and we had a casual conversation. He asked me if I wanted to eat steak. Simultaneously, I could hear music playing in the background. In that moment, we were stopped and I heard a man singing John Legend ‘You and I’. Moments passed and Willis removed the blindfold and in complete shock. Family and close friends surrounded me. I was taking aback by the presence of my family, the singer, videographer, cellist, a big heart made of roses on the floor, the soft yellow decorations, and the lake in the distance behind the sun. He proposed at Azalea Garden in Winter Park.







Did you know that a proposal was coming? 
I did not suspect anything at all. I was completely taken back. We’ve always talked about marriage, but I just didn’t know when it would happen. I was in my last year of pharmacy school and he’d been so busy with work and grad school I didn’t think he had time to do much of anything especially not plan a proposal.





What was your reaction?
Total shock! I must say I cried like a baby. It was so unexpected but beautiful at the same time. He really put a lot of thought into the day and I felt all the more special.





How did you celebrate the proposal that day/night?
That night of the proposal we had a dinner party with close family and friends. Everything was so beautiful. There were candles and more flowers set around the dinner table. My family surprised us with an engagement cake.





How did you share the news with friends and family?
Family is a big part of both our lives. Willis said he felt that it was important to have those closest to us around. So there was not to many people left to tell. We shared some photos via social media as well. Plus both our mothers called everyone they knew to give the news. I was so happy that he did incorporate those closest to us because it was a moment I will forever cherish.






Did you/will you be having an engagement party? 
No, we have not had an engagement party yet but I would definitely like to now that I am done with school I can focus on planning for the big day. 





What did you love the most about your proposal?
For me the best part was when we were both crying together. I am a huge softy so crying is not uncommon for me, but it was something I’d never seen him do. Willis has always been a sweet and romantic guy, but he not one to cry so easily. In that moment I felt like it brought us even closer. 



Was your proposal everything you dreamed it would be?
It was more. I had always thought that it would be something simple but sweet. I thought he would do something with just the two of us, but it was so much more special having those closest to us present




More photos of the happy couple





Would you like your proposal featured on Chronicles of a Future Wife? Send your submission to coafw@yahoo.com. Please read feature policies before making your submission.

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Wednesday, April 8, 2015

CATARAH + CARLOS : BEACH CHIC IN MIAMI

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


Would you like your wedding featured on Chronicles of a Future Wife? Send your submission to coafw@yahoo.com. Please read feature policies before making your submission.

Follow Chronicles:
Twitter: @the_future_wife
Instagram: @the_future_wife
Facebook: COAFW