OCCUPATIONS Brenda is a Labor and Delivery nurse; Daniel is a Baltimore City police officer
WEDDING DATE September 25, 2022
NUMBER OF ATTENDEES 150
NUMBER OF ATTENDANTS 13
HOW YOU MET We have known each other since the 3rd grade. Life happened and we went our separate ways in life as we got older (Brenda moving away in the 8th grade). But one day, during Brenda’s senior year of college, we came across each other on Bumble and the rest was history.
The Engagement On our third date, we had the most romantic date under a beautiful gazebo on Brenda’s college campus. It was raining and we were caught under the gazebo, and it was utterly magical. Right then and there, we both knew we wanted to marry each other but we never shared that thought with each other. Fast forward 2 years later, decorated in daffodils (Brenda’s favorite flower) the proposal took place under that same gazebo where we both knew we wanted to marry each on that third date. After sharing that private moment together, family and friends emerged from surrounding structures as an extra surprise to join our celebration.
Wedding Design Inspiration Classic wedding with a modern twist
WHAT WAS UNIQUE AND SPECIAL ABOUT YOUR WEDDING DAY Since we started dating each other, we had an inside joke: pinky promises. We held something slightly childish to a high standard and we used pinky promises to show our love and devotion to each other. From promising something to always telling the truth, pinky promises were always taken seriously. Throughout our wedding, we had pinky promises details (our drinks, cufflinks, gloves) but most importantly, we shared our vows as pinky promises—the highest form of promise in our love.
Favorite Details Brenda poured so much love and attention to detail into the wedding, it is so hard to choose only a few. But here were some of our favorites:
- “The Torres Gallery” During our cocktail hour, we displayed a collection of artifacts and mementos saved throughout our four years together. Things like the receipt of our first date, the first movie tickets together, the plane tickets for our first trip, and more. We had been keeping all of these stored for memories and decided to frame them and add descriptions like a gallery for guests to walk through.
- We held a bilingual ceremony with a pastor (in Spanish) and his wife translating beside him (in English), that way everyone was able to understand our ceremony and be included.
- Our Live Wedding Painter: Pappion Artistry. We had stumbled upon a very talented wedding painter based in New Orleans and her her fly in to live paint our first dance. She did an amazing job and guests truly enjoyed watching her paint during the reception.
- Our custom drinks. We actually did not have alcohol at our wedding. It’s something we as a couple and family do not really partake in. But Brenda loves a good mocktail. So, we worked diligently with White House Caterers to come up with mocktails that represented our day perfectly and they were delicious!
- We had two guestbooks—we know it’s not super common, but they were very different from each other. We had a coffee table book made with our engagement pictures so guests could sign throughout the book. The second “guestbook” was a phone with an “after the tone . . .” so guests could leave us a voicemail throughout the event. It was so sweet hearing how our family and friends experienced our big day.
- Our sparkler exit. Brenda had already had two outfit changes (her stunning wedding gown and then a lovely reception gown for dancing) and surprised everyone with an exit dress. Our guests lined up outside with sparklers as we walked through saying goodbye. It was a great way to thank our guests for coming and saying goodbye to them. Afterward, we headed back inside and shared a lovely private last dance to end the evening on the most romantic note.
Most Unexpected Event On Your Wedding Day It rained on our wedding day—including right at the time the ceremony was to begin. We couldn’t thank the team enough for thinking fast on their feet. And even though the rain changed what we envisioned; it worked out the best in the end. Plus, rain is good luck on a wedding day.
Piece of Advice Trust your vendors. They have done this so many times! As long as you feel heard on your wishes, they know exactly what you need done on your big day. We are so happy with all of our vendors, they worked so hard to make our day what it was.
Audio Guestbook After the Tone Beauty Beauty by Samia and No Filter Glam Bridesmaids Bella’s Bridesmaids Cake JuJu Sweets Caterer Whitehouse Caterers Floral Design Scentsational Florals Designs Groom and Groomsmen The Black Tux Honeymoon Jade Mountain in St. Lucia Invitations & Signage Handmade by the bride Live Event Painter Pappion Artistry Location Overhills Mansion Music The Bachelor Boys Officiant Mr. & Mrs. DeLeon Photographer Silver Orchard Creative Rentals Pretty Little Wedding Co. Videographer Ivory Tree Weddings Wedding Dresses and Accessories TLC Bridal (ceremony), David’s Bridal (reception), and Showpo (exit); Bella Belle shoes Wedding Planner Lynda & Mark with Whitehouse Caterers.