Engagement Feature: Meron + Reshad

Bride-to-be: Meron Kassahun

Groom-to-be: Reshad Favors 

Ethnicity of couple: Ethiopian & African American

Tell us how you met one another: Reshad and I saw each other at a friend's engagement party. I had travelled from DC to Florida for the party. Reshad and I spotted each other at the party. We locked eyes for a moment but did not exchange information until after the party. 

How did he pop the question: Reshad planned for us to meet at the cherry blossom festival that takes place each year at the beginning of spring. Previously, I told him how much I loved cherry blossoms and how I wanted to watch them bloom. He figured it would be the perfect opportunity for him to ask for my hand in marriage. After taking in the cherry blossoms for a few hours, I spotted one of my family members. One by one, more of my family started to emerge. I still did not realize what was happening until I turned around and saw Reshad on one knee.

When's the big day: June 17, 2017

What are you looking forward to the most about your wedding: Enjoying the company of all of our close friends and family!

What would you say has been the hardest thing about planning a cultural wedding: Picking cake batter..they're all so good! 

Any tips or advice for the couple planning a wedding right now: Save, save, save! And have a budget. It's also good to have someone that can say no sometimes for me it was Reshad (haha!). 

Engagement photographer: Anthony Drayton
Makeup Artist: Blush by Makki
Hair Stylist: Yene Damtew
Engagement shoot locations: Tidal Basin, Lincoln Monument, Jefferson memorial 

Congratulations again on your beautiful engagement, Meron! We can't wait for your Big Day! Many Blessings to the both of you, xx.

Engagement Feature: Ida + Willie

Bride-to-be: Ida Ghebre

Groom-to-be: Willie Skinner

Tell us how you met one another: We met about five years through mutual friends at church.

                     

How did he pop the question: It was kind of a big lie. I was told I was going to a 30th birthday dinner later that night, so that was how I got to be dressed up. One of my best friends said she was going through a breakup and wanted talk and have a girls day. So I actually went up to my old college town ( Boulder, Colorado) and met up with my friends at a Starbucks. We planned to have dinner at a restaurant in the mountains and she would tell us what happened. We drive up the mountain and pass the restaurant which I thought that was strange. We ended up parking in the next lot and my friends, in my opinion, were doing the most. 
It was two days before Christmas, so it was quite cold in the mountains as you could imagine. I didn't understand why they wanted to take pictures before the dinner. They were moving and talking so quickly, I couldn't really combat but follow them. They made me take off my coat so I had only a dress on. I started walking down a path and I saw two people taking pictures and didn't think anything of it because it is a touristy area. I walk closer to the cottage and my fiance Willie walks down the steps and I FROZE. I then saw candles and flower petals around the cottage front area. He grabbed me and began to slow dance and then did  a speech ( that I can't quite remember but luckily he wore a go pro cam so it caught everything). He went down on one knee and popped the question!

When's the big day: July 24, 2016

What would you say has been the hardest thing about planning an Eritrean-American wedding: Figuring out the best and FAIR way to blend two cultures. 

Any tips or pointers for the couple planning a wedding right now: Delegate and Just enjoy the engagement period.

Engagement photographer and location(s): Deep Ellum and White Rock in Dallas Texas

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Ida! Many blessings to you both in your new union, xx. 

Engagement Feature: Helen + Marion

Bride-to-be: Helen Berhe
Groom-to-be: Marion Clark

Tell us how you met one another: We met at a United Nations Conference in Washington DC. We were both in attendance representing our respective schools. He introduced himself and when he shook my hand, the coffee in my other hand spilled all over. We chatted a bit and really hit it off. For more about the story, visit: marryingmybestfriend.com 

How did you/he pop the question: I learned weeks after the proposal that he asked EVERYONE in my family individually for permission for my hand, which I thought was so sweet and thoughtful. He took me (my brother tagged along) to the Japanese Gardens in Portland because I had mentioned to him that I never been there despite my being in Portland my entire life. After walking around for a bit, we sat on a bench to relax. He pulled out a Mac book to give to me. I was super excited about the Mac book not knowing what was to come next. He opened the computer and there was a video that he made with all of our special memories. As I was watching the video, he stood up and with a shaky voice said my full name and got down on one knee. Of course I said YES! He is my best friend and I could never imagine being with anyone else.

When's the big day: August 27th 2016! 

What are you looking forward to the most about your wedding: Having all of my loved ones all under one roof. I am so excited to be able to laugh, party and have a good time with all of my family and friends. Rarely does everyone get together this way and I feel so blessed that it will all be in celebration of Marion and I's union.

What would you say has been the hardest thing about planning an Eritrean-American wedding: Being born and raised in the United States, there are elements to wedding planning practiced in the U.S. that are not common in Eritrea, such as the bride having a big voice in her wedding. My family has been amazing in this entire process and they have made it so easy for me, but initially, finding a balance, was a challenge. Additionally, juggling all of the vendors was somewhat of a challenge as well. I thought I was a patient and organized person until this wedding planning process. This is by far the most challenging feat I have ever taken on. 

Any tips or pointers for the couples planning a wedding right now: Make a list of things that are negotiable, and things that are not. The cost of weddings can add up very quickly if you are not careful. If you know you must have a certain photographer or vendor, write that down and cut in other places that are not so pressing for you. Also, COMMUNICATION with your fiance is vital. 

Locations: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and the Ambridge Event Center.

Photographer: Simon Tsegay of "Infocus Media" http://www.infocusmedia.us/

Thank you for sharing your story with us, Helen + Marion! Many blessings to you both in your new union, xx. 

Ruhus Gama Wedding Design + Floral - 2016 Her Big Day Wedding Show Vendor

You want the days of your wedding to turn heads. What better way to achieve that than with breathtaking decor and floral like our wedding show vendor at Her Big Day: A Cultural Wedding Affair, Ruhus Gama Wedding Design + Floral?! Have you seen their wedding design+production+floral? Truly magical. 

Get to know Owner, Tigisti Tsegai below and get excited to mingle with her and see her beautiful wedding decor work at the wedding show in January {buy your tickets here}! 

Her Big Day (HBD): Tell us about your business! What do you specialize in and what makes you unique?

Tigisti: We are a wedding and event design company that specializes in production and any area of floral. What makes us unique is that we deliver to the large growing cultural communities in the Northwest. We are a young, fun and innovative group that loves thinking outside the box to help make your wedding unforgettable.

HBD: We love how you cater to different cultural communities! Why are you participating in Her Big Day: A Cultural Wedding Affair? 

Tigisti: This is our first year showcasing at Her Big Day's wedding show, though we have worked with Her Big Day in the past on other events. We love working in this particular show because the brides that attend are looking for creative and inspiring ideas. Her Big Day has done an exceptional job at highlighting the fusion between cultural love and new trend desires. Because that is a fairly new and growing trend, we love hearing about all the new ideas brides' dream up. 

HBD: What do you find clients always say they love about working with you?

Tigisti: We hear a lot of great feedback from our clients and their families. It's always nice to hear that we have met their expectations for their big day. We find that a lot of our amazing brides that we have the chance to help celebrate with say that they were shocked about how affordable we are and how much attention to detail we apply to their event.

HBD: That is awesome that you exceed couple's expectations! We look forward to having you at the show!

Get social with Ruhus Gama Wedding Design + Floral!

Facebook | Instagram | Email

Culture Fusion in Jamaica

Hi Bellas! We came across Muneera's wedding on social media and fell in L-O-V-E with all of the bright colors, the culture fusion and the beautiful backdrop of Jamaica's beautiful beaches, palm trees and skyline! This bride did such a fabulous job with everything- not only did she choose the perfect destination but everything from her wedding gowns, her bridesmaids' turquoise dresses, her stunning headpiece and the bindi (forehead decor worn in India) and henna that each of her bridesmaids were adorned with. This is by far one of our fave weddings (on social media of course, because we weren't there; but looking at these pictures will definitely make you wish you were there)! 

Enjoy, xo.

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Thank you, Muneera for allowing us to share your gorgeous pictures! They are so inspiring!! 

Professional Photographs by Dwayne Watkins Photography (TeamDWP).

Originally published on Bella Bride Africa.