Certified Coordinated Bride Theresa

Journal Entry #1

Our Love Story

Brides: Theresa Obong and Zekeera Belton

Wedding date: August 19th 2017

Location: Baltimore, Maryland

Zekeera and I met through some of our mutual friends. Our friends hosted a “Scandal Night” and when I showed up, there she was sitting at the dining room table. We hung out all night and had a great time! A couple of weeks later I was invited to a fight night party (Mayweather vs. Pacquiao) by a friend of mine. When I arrived at the residence where the party was being held, the door was opened by Zekeera who welcomed me in with a big smile on her face. That night we exchanged numbers and planned to go on our first date later that week.

Our first date was at La Tascas, a tapas restaurant in Rockville. I was so nervous, I must have tried on about twenty different outfits before settling on some cute distressed jeans and a simple black shirt with some heels. I showed up twenty minutes early and at first I thought I was being stood up. When she arrived we sat and enjoyed some tapas and cocktails. We talked for hours about politics, our different cultures, likes and dislikes, and all the things we are passionate about. The next thing we knew the restaurant staff was looking at us annoyed because it was closing time and we were the only patrons left in the restaurant. We have been inseparable ever since!

The Proposal

May 6th 2016 is also known as the best day of my life thus far. On the day of our anniversary, Zekeera informed me that she had made dinner reservations for us to enjoy a nice romantic dinner. We arrived at McCormick & Schmick’s in D.C. and were sat at a table in the main dining area. I ordered a drink from the first server that came to greet us and was getting a little irritated at how long we were waiting for our drinks to arrive. Then a second waiter came to greet us and asked if we needed anything. By the time the third waiter showed up at our table I was ready to leave. Finally, another staff member came to our table and apologized for all the confusion. He offered to move us to a private room that was more intimate since we were celebrating a special occasion. He escorted us to a back room and when the doors opened I was blinded by cameras and flashing lights! It wasn’t until I started seeing familiar faces that things began to sink in. Family members and friends both local and from out of town (Atlanta, Seattle, New York, Cincinnati) were all staring at us smiling and taking pictures. When I turned around to look at Zekeera she was holding a beautiful box. She opened the box, got on one knee, and asked me if I would be hers for the rest of our lives. I was so overwhelmed with emotions that I myself got on one knee facing her, put her face in my hands, kissed her gently, and told her “Forever”.

The Wedding Planning

I don’t think either of us knew what planning a wedding entailed. We attempted to begin planning on our own and quickly realized that this was no task for amateurs. Mahalia Jessup of C’est Belle Event was the event planner that orchestrated the surprise engagement party. She did such an amazing job with the proposal / engagement party that we both knew that she would be the perfect match for us. We are planning an elegant “Black and Gold Summer Ball” wedding. This black tie affair will take place at Martin’s West in Baltimore Maryland this August and we absolutely cannot wait!!

For now, check out the amazing photos from our memorable night below!

Speak to you guys soon!!

XOXO,

Theresa