Cheyenne and J’Vonta met in 2013 in Las Vegas where Cheyenne lived at the time. J’Vonta was in town over a holiday break and the two met on the famous Las Vegas Strip. "We bumped into each other one night on the Las Vegas strip and we just had an instant connection. We kept in contact the entire time he was in town. The night before he left, we stayed up until like 4 or 5 in the morning just talking and getting to know one another," recalls Cheyenne. That 5 a.m. conversation turned into the beginning of a long-distance relationship, which lasted for about 7 months before J’Vonta proposed! Cheyenne and J’Vonta will wed this month, with a southern rustic themed wedding in Houston,Texas. Check out their romantic beach themed engagement session captured by Shadi Ameri Photography
Bride: Cheyenne White, Clinical Services Assistant and Nursing student.
Groom: J’Vonta Young, Lance Corporal in the United States Marine Corps.
Place of residence: San Diego, CA
Engagement Shoot Location: La Jolla Cove – La Jolla, CA
Wedding date: 12/27/14
Wedding location: Houston, TX
Engagement story (from the bride-to-be:
Since we lived hundreds of miles apart, I would go down to see J’Vonta every other weekend. J’Vonta picked me up from the airport and told me he was taking me out to dinner for our 7 month anniversary. After we were seated, he got up to leave which I thought was strange. He told me he forgot something in the car, but he was gone for a long time. So I was starting to get worried. Then an earthquake hit Southern California. The tables and everything in the restaurant were swaying. At this point I was ready to go home. I had a long day at work, rushed to the airport only to find out my flight was delayed, and now an earthquake. I just wanted to go to sleep. J’Vonta finally returns to the table, after what seemed like forever. I was grumpy and ready to go. Out of nowhere he sits a little gray box on the table that he pulled out from his jacket. I asked what that was. I opened it and it was a ring. I looked up at him and he asked me to be his wife. My eyes filled with tears and I said “YES!” He turned my mood all the way around. I felt bad for being grumpy. He told me he was outside for so long because he was talking to his mother, telling her he was about to propose. From there, since his family already knew, I asked if he would call my parents and tell them the great news.
For the Groom: Walk us through the behind the scenes of creating this special day:
I had been planning the proposal for a while before the actual day. I knew she would be coming into town for our anniversary and wanted to propose then. That night, I picked her up from the airport and took her out to dinner. Little did she know I was going to propose. After we were seated at dinner, I told her I forgot something in the car. I went outside to get the ring and when I came back she told me there was an earthquake and she was ready to go. Before she could say anything else, I presented her with the ring and asked her if she would marry me. She cried and said yes!
What was the theme of your Engagement session?
J’Vonta is currently stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA near San Diego and since San Diego is known for its beautiful weather and beaches, we decided to use the breathtaking backdrop of the ocean at La Jolla Cove for our engagement photos. J’Vonta decided to wear his “Marine Blues” uniform because the military is such a huge part of our lives and we wanted to showcase that in our photos.
What makes your love special?
God is at the center of our love and that’s what makes our love special. We pray together every day and thank Him for blessing us with one another. Also, since we had to endure a long distance relationship that has made us value and appreciate the time we share together. Every day we try to do something that makes the other person smile.
What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?
We are both looking forward to enjoying our special day with our family and friends. Since J’Vonta is in the military, he’s not able to see his family and friends as much as he’d like to, so it will be a good feeling to have everyone together for our wedding. We have guests traveling from Japan, California, and St. Louis and we are thrilled to have them there to witness our union as husband and wife.
Have you started planning your wedding?
I have taken on the task of planning the wedding without the assistance of a wedding planner. Crazy, I know! The internet has been my lifesaver! I have found so many cute and unique DIY wedding tips online. We are also extremely grateful to our family members who have chipped in to help take on tasks for our big day. Our wedding ceremony will be officiated by the same Pastor that married J’Vonta’s mother and stepfather years’ ago, so that is something very special to him. Our reception will take place at Brady’s Landing restaurant, overlooking the Turning Basin.
Congratulations to Cheyenne and J’Vonta. We wish you a wonderful wedding and marriage!
Vendors:
Photographer:
Curated by our Wedding Features Editor, C.K. Alexander. C.K. is the owner and founder of Love Ink and Brownstone Bridal. Keep up with C.K. on Twitter here: @Love_Ink
