The minute I laid my eyes on Tamika, I knew I need to share her joy and happiness with the World, not to mention her romantic Charleston wedding! This gal totally understands the importance of friends and family and with the help of her sweet husband Juan, the duo perfectly incorporated those they love throughout their Lowcountry wedding at the beautiful Legare Waring House. With the help of Cafe Catering's Lauren Miller and the talented Branch Design Studios, they created a dreamy evening under the Oaks for all to enjoy. Lucky for us, Fia Forever Photography was there to capture it! Since we couldn't include every last detail in the magazine (even though we wanted to!), I couldn't not share the rest of Tamika's details with you! If you're dying to see more of the images (and trust me, you need to!), you can purchase the issue here!
What made you choose your venue? I split my time between Maryland and Charleston and I wanted to show off my home state (I'm from Summerville) My parents are deceased and I wanted a place where I could feel their presence. Growing up we spent a lot of time at Charles Town Landing, but I never toured the Legare Waring house. What elements drew you to it? The resilent oak trees with the spanish moss and the lagoon. I wanted a place that had water and the oak trees with spanish moss. To me, those things are quintessntial Charleston. The avenue of the oaks is breathtaking.
How did he propose? It was very low key but I wouldn't change it for the world. I had just got in from Vegas where I was speaking at a cancer conference. I was catching up on all my shows that I missed that were in the DC. I don't like to be interrupted when I watch my shows (I know, crazy, but it's my thing and everyone has a "thing" and that's mine) I noticed that he was up and down the stairs like he wanted something but he never said anything to me. Finally, I paused the DVR and asked him what was up. He was behaving so weirdly. He said, "If I asked you to marry me, would you say yes" and of course my response was "Duh" of course I would. Again, I didn't think anything of it. Then he walked away and said, "Ok, I will be right back" He came right back got down on one knee. He spoke about how much he loved me, everything that we had gone through and what he dreamed for our future and asked me to be his wife. Of course, I said yes and I started planning immediately. It happened at about 10pm. He totally caught me off guard and no, I didn't finish watching my shows.
Tell us all about the details! Did any have special meaning? What was your favorite?Gosh there were so many. My favorite was probably my family bible. It is was one of the oldest items in our family (my Mother's fathers bible). Its very worn and tattered so I had my sister tie an orange cord from my mothers sewing things around it so my great nephew could easily hold on it. Because it's exteremly fragile. I was worried about using it because I thought something would happen to it but I knew I made the right choice when I saw my photos. My great nephew Ty is a bit of a rascal. But there is the great photo of him holding the bible during the ceremony and he is looking up into the trees. He's the only one looking up. I believe that he felt the precense of my mother. They had a very special relationship. I tear up every time I look at the photo. It gives me chills. It's such a special moment that was captured. We also had a spiked Italian Ice cart (and non spiked for the few children and non drinkers) that was a huge hit. People are still talking about that sweet treat. We had a photo booth. We had a Mr. & Mrs. Lounge.
Tell us a little bit about how you met your husband… I smile just thinking about him. He is so romantic. We met on the steps of a DC Nightclub back in the '90's. I was walking out and he was walking in. I lost my footing on the step and he reached out his hand to steady me. It was love at first sight, but we would only date briefly and ended up parting ways as I was really focused on my career and he really wanted to get married. We were just at two different places. But as fate would have it. The stars and heaven aligned and we had a second chance to live happily ever after and we did.
I wanted a romantic evening but not too stuffy. Gorgeous long farm tables. Lots of candles and flowers. We had crystal chandeliers hanging from the oaks. Oh, and I wanted to get married under the oaks because of their resilience. We even had an oak tree planting ceremony. We had lots of family heirlooms on the tables. For example, a silver tea set that we used for the centerpiece and add flowers in the tea pot and candles on the tray. I placed it on the table of my friend who loaned it to me for the wedding. I also had a beautiful silver candelabra that my aunt loaned me and I placed it on her table. Our favor was a recipe card for an American Apple Pie (our first date was to see the movie American Pie and we ironically, love apple pie) We did a photo shoot of us making the pie and included it on the card with heart-shaped measuring spoons attached
Tell us a little bit about your menu… Our menu was everything lowcountry except for one thing and I thing it had a lowcountry spin (the crabcakes, the only thing my Maryland raised husband requested) for the cocktail hour along with ham bisquits. For dinner we had shrimp and grits (of course!), Pan Fried Chicken Breast with gravy, Lowcountry Mac and cheese topped with lobster, Dirty Rice, string beans, cornbread/biscuits/sweet potato biscuits with an assortment of butters and jams, mixed green salad with candied pecans. Can you say carb overload! LOL
Out of the entire day, what was the most memorable moment? My fiance's nickname is Rocky. His co-workers are the only ones who call him Juan. I wanted to find a way to use "Rocky' at the ceremony. So, I had the theme song from the movie Rocky play as soon as we kissed as we were pronounced husband and wife. It was a priceless moment that is beautiful captured. It took are guest a minute to get it because the very beginning of the song sounds like a wedding march. It's a recessional that we will never forget.
Most valuable piece of advice you’d give to a newly engaged bride? Just be in the moment and enjoy it. Several people told me how fast it goes and just to enjoy it. You spend all this time planning what will be the most important event of your life and in truth it only lasts about 20 minutes. It doesn't matter what went wrong. At the end of the day none of that stuff matters. I was so happy and in the moment that nothing else mattered. It took me months to come down from my cloud of bliss and in truth I'm still on it. It was magical.
Vendors: Venue: Legare Waring House / Event Planner: Lauren Miller, Cafe Catering / Caterer: Cafe Catering / Event Design: Branch Design Studios / Flowers: The Bride / Stylist: Adrin 'Seven' Washington / Rentals: Event DRS / Tent: Haus Tents / Makeup: Meshia Davis / Nails: Karen Cobin / Cake: Publix / DJ: DJ Wildman, Karlton Sanders / Dress: Curvy Girl Bridal / Suits: Jos. A. Bank / Cinematography: Fia Forever & Low Country Wedding Films / Photography: Fia Forever Wedding Photography