Real Weddings: Christina & Josh

Black African American bride Christina groom Joshua marriage married wedding ceremony reception color palette metro Washington DC Maryland Virginia winery vineyard navy white gold travel theme

Christina and Josh began their journey to love bonding over their mutual attraction to cultures of the world and traveling. Indeed, traveling was actually to become the underpinning of their relationship. Josh was an US Marine in active duty at the time, while Christina had just completed her graduate studies at Georgetown University and was a newly minted US Diplomat. Though the pair met by chance in Washington, DC, they quickly realized that in order to make a relationship work, a tolerance for travel and long-distance, virtual dating would have to be the case. Christina went overseas for the Foreign Service while Josh, who attended Liberty University, was often abroad as well on assignment. After two years, Josh planned an elaborate proposal where he returned to the States the week of the proposal to surprise Christina. She believed he was there to celebrate their dating anniversary. Up his sleeve was a week of activities and outings he’d planned out and took Christina to, culminating on the final day where he took her to National Harbor, MD. It was there, in front of the Capitol Wheel, two years prior that the pair had had their first date, and got down on one knee. After Christina tearily accepted his proposal, he whisked her off to the final surprise – an engagement dinner party with some of their closest friends and family. To plan the wedding, the majority of which was done overseas, the detail-oriented couple made sure that every aspect pointed to their upscale travel theme they dubbed “a global affair.” The couple set the tone, kicking off wedding week with a welcome party. The next day, instead of a dinner, the couple opted for a rehearsal brunch. On wedding day, Christina was walked down the aisle by her older brother. He is also in the military and was stationed overseas for several years so it was pivotal for Christina to have him by her side. Donning the custom gown and coordinating cape that she flew back to the States to purchase, Christina was a vision. She and Josh exchanged handwritten vows before 160 attendees. After a sand ceremony and jumping the broom, the reception kicked off and Christina was serenaded by her sorority sisters before last call. Guests continue to rave about the couple’s wedding, which delivered such memorable guest experiences, while honoring the pair’s cultured love story.

Wedding Details

LOCATION: Bealeton, VA

TIME OF YEAR: Fall

WEDDING STYLE: cultured, customized, enchanting

CEREMONY & RECEPTION: Morais Vineyards and Winery

MENU: Cocktail hour began with chicken lemongrass potstickers and miso sauce, fried Gulf coconut shrimp coated and sweet chili sauce, fig and caramelized onion with goat cheese tart with a hint of sherry, caprese kabobs with balsamic drizzle. For the main course, Southern fare including Cajun braised beef short ribs, macaroni pies, mac ‘n cheese, collard greens, Caribbean jerk chicken, fried sweet plantains, coco bread, West African cod fish stew sauteed in tomatoes served with African red pepper sauce and rice simmered in a tomato reduction. Rainbow salad micro greens, sweet peas, English cucumber, corn, and Carrots in a balsamic vinaigrette. Late night snack offering was a chicken wing bar featuring flavors of honey BBQ, mango habanero and lemon pepper; signature cocktails were an Old Fashioned, a Caipirinha, or a Basil-Limoncello Spritz.

DESSERT: Wedding cake in flavors of lemon zinger and cookies and crème

FIRST DANCE SONG: “If this World Were Mine” by Luther Vandross

INSPIRATION: travel themed as a nod this very diplomatic couple

SPECIAL FEATURES: favors were luggage tags and mini suitcases filled with something sweet, that our guest picked up from the “baggage claim” display; a postcard guestbook where guests took a postcard from the rack, signed it and dropped it in the couple’s monogramed mailbox; there were shuttles for guests to and from the reception; the bride DIY’d their monogramed mailbox, the table markers, the mirrored welcome sign, seating chart, the favor table signage, the bar signage, guest book signage and some of the decorative props; couple provided flip flops near the dance floor for guests; foodie menu filled with unique culinary creations from different cultures; live harpist and hip-hop violinist played; 360 degree photo booth; guests received boarding passes and invitations were passports; the couple did the Jump the Broom tradition; goers could scan the QR code on their programs to hear more of their love story

HONEYMOON: Maldives

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