Alkamal and Jason’s country club wedding had a garden theme with the colors sage, sand, rose gold and navy. The theme of the day reflected the grooms’ Caribbean and African-American heritage, and they were inspired by a Miami Beach look.
Tell us about your wedding! What was the inspiration behind your day? Did you have a specific theme, style or color palette? Did you incorporate any cultural or religious traditions in any part of your day?
We wanted a garden wedding, with a resort feel and Crest Hollow Country Club was the perfect setting. Our colors were sage, sand, rose gold and navy. As a couple who is Caribbean and African-American, we wanted our music to reflect our culture and Crest Hollow offered up the ambiance of being on the island, with steel pan music and a scenery of water, trees and sand.
Let’s talk wedding decor. How did you decorate your space for the ceremony and the reception? Was any part of the decor DIY?
Our decor was DIY. It included a customized backdrop with our originally designed logos. For the reception, we went for a Miami Beach look, with white furniture and moon lighting. Instead of a signature book, we offered wooden hearts for guests to sign and write their well-wishes. We featured signature drinks for the cocktail hour and reception. We also presented memorial plaques for our family members and friends who passed away.
What were the florals like in your wedding? Did you use flowers in any of your design elements like the centerpieces or ceremony backdrop? Did they play an important part in the overall style of your wedding?
We used flowers at the garden ceremony and used them as centerpieces at the reception. In the garden, they lined the aisle. As centerpieces, they sat in tall martini glasses. The flowers added to the theme and added elegance to the scenery.
Did you personalize the day in any way (food trucks, guest entertainment etc.)? What were some of your favorite parts of your wedding?
We had a live five-piece band that featured a steel pan and vocalist. We had our customized backdrop with originally designed logos that was in the colors of our wedding. We also featured a large-sized mirror which was actually a photo booth. Our favorites parts were: Starting the day with a cocktail hour, which we called the wedding brunch, and walking in to join our guests at that time. We enjoyed dancing with our mothers and our daughters. Saying our wedding vows and getting ready at the start of the day with our wedding party.
How did you both choose your wedding day look? Describe the looks in detail.
Jason wanted the wedding colors to be reflected in the fashion attire so he selected sage and rose gold for the cocktail hour. Alkamal wore a sage suit with a pink shirt inside while Jason was dressed in a floral print blazer which reflected all the wedding colors and a sage-colored shirt. For the wedding ceremony, Jason styled us in suits that would show us as clean and flawless, but without looking identical. He wore a custom-designed three-piece white suit with rose gold buttons, accessorize with a rose gold bow tie and flow pin to match. Alkamal’s suit was cream with a sparkled rose gold bow tie and matching pocket square. The wedding party was also styled by Jason, in blue attire to bring contrast to the groom’s wedding look. He selected custom-designed dresses for the bridesmaid and Calvin Klein tuxedos for the best men.
How did you meet? Tell us about the proposal.
I first saw Jason when I walked into the laundry mat and he was the new attendant working there. He was tending to customers and laundry machines; not once paying attention to me. At every possible moment, I would glance and stare at him. I went unnoticed. Needless to say, we didn’t talk until weeks later when Jason saw me walking and motioned for me to come inside the laundromat. When I did, he asked, “Why don’t you stop to say hi. Is it because you have a girlfriend?” I said, “No.” He followed with, “Do you have a boyfriend?” I stood there shocked and said, “No one has ever asked me that.” He said, “Well, do you?” I replied, “No I don’t.” Then he asked for my number and promised to call me that night. He didn’t. And for another whole week, I didn’t see or hear from him.
When I finally did, he apologized for losing my number and promised that if I was to give him a second chance he would call. So I did and he called me that same night. We talked for hours about everything and I learned he did notice me from day one and worried over how I never bothered to ask him out. We laughed at the irony. The next day was Christmas Eve and we decided to go out on a short date. And, as planned, we did. We sat watching TV, eating pizza, cuddled up. It was a short romantic night and we have been together ever since.
The proposal: It was just after midnight when I arrived at Jason’s house. I originally told him I was staying home, so he wasn’t expecting me. When I arrived, he was in bed sleeping. So I turned on the lights and the TV and began making loud noises by bumping into furniture and dropping things on the floor in an attempt to wake him.
When he finally woke up, I climbed into bed. But then I began to nag him with silly comments until he made a fuss that I only came over to give him grief, so now he wanted us to take a break.
Me: A break? For how long?
Jason: At least twenty-two years.
He turned away from me as I brought out this small box from behind my back.
Me: Well, what about this?
I climbed down from the bed and got on one knee, holding the box out. With his head still on the pillow, he opened his eyes.
Jason: What’s that?
Me: A gift for you.
Jason: Is that what I think?
Me: Well, I’m on one knee.
Jason: Is this for real?
I opened the box and his eyes widened, and his mouth dropped!
Me: Yes, and I want you to marry me. Will you marry me?
Jason: I love the ring. I’ll think about it.
I stayed silent, watching him admire the ring, then I interrupted him.
Me: I’m gonna ask but one more time. Will you marry me?
Jason: Well, the ring does help me not be mad at you. And I like this one. I like it a lot. Yes, I’ll marry you Alkamal.
What was the most anticipated or special moment of your wedding day?
For Jason, it was walking down the aisle with his neice and seeing Alkamal at the altar waiting. For Alkamal, it was parting from Jason to get dressed and to reconnect in the garden to say our vows to each other.
Do you have any wedding planning or marriage advice that you’d like to share with other couples planning their day?
Our advice is to consider setting a budget as the very first thing and sticking to it and be sure to give yourself enough time for planning.
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Photographer: Trene’ Forbes Photography
Event Venue: Crest Hollow Country Club
Second Shooter: Chip Dizard Weddings
Invitation Designer: Basic Invite
Floral Designer: Feraini Floral Decorators
