Elegant West Indian Wedding at Dyker Beach Golf Course, Brooklyn NY | Karisa & Devon

Brides Full Name Karisa Taylor
Grooms Full Name Devon Martins

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal.
We met in October 2003 through his cousin Tiffany. Tiffany and I (Karisa) were going to Sullivan County Community College together and we were both from Brooklyn. One weekend her cousin was giving her a ride to Port Authority and I hopped at the opportunity to get a lift. Devon dropped us off and I did not think much of it. I said thank you and we parted ways. Little did I know that would not be the last of our rides.

The years went on, we remained friends, we had different relationships and we even tried dating in 2006, but the timing was not right. We went some time without speaking, but it was never for long.May 2011 he asked me “why aren’t we together? What’s holding us back?” I explained that we both had things we needed to work on. His response was “we can work on them together”. I thought that was a great response and I told him we can take baby steps.
Baby steps turned into big steps and in October of that year, we made it official. Over the course of the following year things were wonderful, trying new restaurants, movies, even a few concerts, getting to really know each other on a different level.
I was slowly falling in love. I have always loved him, because he was such a great friend for so many years, however, the feelings were different now. I wanted to spend all my free time with him, to share every aspect of my day, to share every joke.

October 29, 2012, my life changed forever in many ways. Hurricane Sandy took us by storm literally. I spoke to Devon around 6:30 pm that evening and decided to watch TV with my mom. Sandy hit and caused us to lose everything we had. My mother and I watched as our lives washed away. The water in the house started to rise and we had no idea when it would end. The phone service was bad but I was able to reach one of my friends, who told me to come to her house. My mom and I walked 10 blocks through the storm and flooded streets. When I got to my friend’s house, I was finally able to speak to Devon who said he would come and get me. I explained that trees and power was down and I did not think it was safe. He told me he would be okay.

About an hour later, he pulled up in an ambulance! He had a friend who drove an ambulance at the time and convinced him that he had to get me. It was the sweetest thing anyone has ever done for me. I felt like a princess who was rescued by her knight in shining armor or rather not so shiny ambulance.

WEDDING DETAILS
Wedding Style: Describe your wedding dress. What was wedding shopping like for you?
My wedding dress was mermaid style, designed by Essence Of Australia. I had no intention on picking a dress as early as I did, but when I went to a Maggie Sottero trunk show at Lotus Bridal and tried on this dress coated with buttons going down the backlight embroidery, unique straps, and just the right amount of train, I knew it was it!

I picked my dress on the 2nd go round and I was truly happy it wasn’t a long drawn out process.

Culture: Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? If yes, tell us more.
We’re both West Indian, so with Labor Day the following weekend, we incorporated as many flags from other countries as we could.

The Waltz

Memories: What is your best memory from your wedding?
The Vows and Brides outfit change.

Advice: What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
Be sure to communicate your feelings during the whole process, good or bad. You don’t want to get too caught up in the wedding planning and engagement that you don’t see marriage is the bigger picture.

QUICK FACTS

Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts:
Bridesmaids- Custom robes with Wedding jeweler (necklaces & earrings)

Groomsmen- Custom flasks with shot glasses and Cigar holders

Favorite item on the menu:
Salmon

First dance song:
Beres Hammond – “There for you”


CAST & CREW

Day of wedding coordinator- Victorious Events NYC
photography- By Petronela
videography- Yamean Studios
Florist- Midtown Florist
Furniture rental- Evolution Rentals
Brides Dress- Essence Of Austrilia (Lotus bridal)
Brides 2nd Look- Evolution Of J bailey
Veil- Pantora Bridal
Flower Girl Dresses- Pantora Mini
Bridesmaids Dresses- Sew Uneek
Bridesmaid Make up -Tenelle Veira
Brides Hair & Make up- Hair By Gstar
Brides Shoes- Giuseppe zanotti
Stationery- Skkypaperdesigns
Cake- BkConamore
Venue- Dyker Beach Golf Course

Romantic Urban Garden Wedding at the W Loft in Brooklyn, NY | Aja and Dynel

Brides Full Name Aja Williams Powell
Grooms Full Name Dynel Powell

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal.
We met on Court Street in Brooklyn. I was leaving a smoothie place and he was working. He saw me leave and his SGT told him to drive back around. He caught me while I was about to pull out my parking spot and he told me my tints were too dark but he would ignore it if I gave him my BBM pin

I was 9 months pregnant with our son. He wanted to do it on Christmas day in front of my family ( my favorite holiday ) but my mother broke her leg and refused to come to my house so we spent Christmas at her house. My best friend came to town that weekend and asked me if I wanted to get my nails and make up done. I thought they were setting up a maternity photoshoot and I didn’t want that so I gave them a really hard time. They tried to get me to go to Brooklyn because he wanted to ask at the location we met but I was being a jerk and it was raining. They ended up telling me that we were going to adopt a cat. I really wanted on but we already have 2 dogs. He proposed right there in Petco (lmao) on December 26, 2015. I thought they were bringing me a cat but I got a ring instead.

WEDDING DETAILS
Wedding Style: Describe your wedding dress. What was wedding shopping like for you?
Lace… I love everything about it. I got a Claire Pettibone dress from her Couture Collection.
It was pretty easy. It was the first dress I tried on 🙂

Culture: Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? If yes, tell us more.
We had a wine box ceremony and we jumped the broom.
Dynel is Jamaican so we had Caribbean food during the reception.

Memories: What is your best memory from your wedding?
EVERYTHING!!!! Best day ever!!
but I would say the ceremony and just being with our family and friends during the cocktail hr and reception
The décor was amazing !!!

Advice: What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
Save!! Start saving before you get engaged. Hire a great wedding planner and take your time. Enjoy the whole experience

QUICK FACTS

Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts:
Bridesmaids box – champagne gummy bears, personalized stemless wine glasses, robes, eye mask and bottle of rose. Also, paid for the makeup on the wedding day
Groomsmen – Bottles of Henny Black and some other type of liquor ( they love alcohol)

Favorite item on the menu:
Aja – The cake and wine pops
Dynel – Oxtail
Jermaine – Mac and cheese

First dance song:
Jackson 5 – I’ll be there


CAST & CREW

Planner/Designer: Victorious Events NYC
Venue: W Loft
Photography: J&R Photography
Cinematography: Yamean Studios Films
Lighting: Mike Music
DJ: DJ Spynfo
Hair: Hair by Sadiku
Makeup: Khadeeniam Ellis
Dress: Claire Pettibone
Florist: NYC Flower Project
Stationary: Taylor and Hov
Bakery: BCakeNY
Catering: Omars Kitchen, Island Pops
Design & Decor Elements: The Finishing Touch NY, Ten 23 Designs, Broadway Party Rentals, Big Dawg Party Rentals, Two of a Kind Rentals, Patina Rentals, Westside Party Rentals
Bride Jewelry- Sara Gabriel
Bride and Bridesmaids robes – Plum Pretty Sugar
Shoes – Badgley Mischka
wedding dress tailor and veil- Esin from Sew Elegant Bridal