Sharonda and Chris met in July 2012 at a spoken word poetry night in Downtown Oakland, CA. Chris approached Sharonda after a performance and they briefly engaged in conversation. Chris did not ask Sharonda for her phone numner, but he did ask for her Twitter username. "I was intrigued by this different approach and obliged him. We communicated via twitter for a few months until we went on our first date," recalled Sharonda. "Chris asked me to be his woman two times before I said yes." The two became an official couple on January 10th, 2013 and have been inseparable ever since. Check out their vineyard themed engagement shoot captured by Photography by Aizhan.
Bride: Sharonda Annice Broach, Administrative Analyst at California State University
Groom: Christopher Alexander Latrell Frazier
Place of residence: San Leandro, CA
Engagement Shoot Location: Livermore Wine Country
Wedding date: 7/23/16
Engagement story:
Chris for a long time had been contemplating on how to propose, what type of ring to get, discussing it with family, friends and co-workers. We were having breakfast at one of our favorite spots, Cheesecake Factory on Saturday and he brought up being ready to get married and start a family, I was so shocked and excited. Chris insisted on visiting the nearby Kay’s Jewelers and so we went ring shopping! When I asked him why he didn’t make it a surprise, he says he wanted to get a ring he knew I would love. Little did he know, any ring would have been the perfect one. The real joy comes not from the ring, but what it symbolizes. About a month after ring shopping, Chris proposed on the evening May 2nd 2015 and we celebrated with family that night.
From the Groom: Walk us through the behind the scenes of planning the proposal.
Unfortunately, I don’t have a fairytale story of how I proposed to my fiancée’ I am not the most creative person, all I know is that I’ve never been this committed, this happy, this in love with any other woman ever in my life and at my age (26 at the time) I knew I had to step up. While we were eating brunch the day I confessed to Sharonda that I couldn’t wait to marry her. That sparkle in her eye, and her big smile was all the reassurance I needed to go forward with my plan to propose to her. I had no idea what size she wore in rings nor did I know what style ring she would like. I decided to take her ring shopping to ensure she got exactly what she wanted in an engagement ring. After she picked out her favorite ring, I let a month go by before I actually bought it and proposed. Although she knew it was coming, The minute I got down on one knee and properly asked her to marry me, the excitement and joy I saw in her face proved to me that everything happened exactly the way it was supposed to happen.
What makes your love special?
Our love is special because it’s just that, ours. It’s a love that cannot be deterred, shaken or misrepresented. A timeless love. It is all that we’ve ever longed for in someone. Something constant and eternal. Something unconditional and satisfying on every level. It’s a connection, an indescribable feeling of completeness. It’s a safe haven for our worries, cares and fears. It is a humble love. It is a love that forgives, that holds no grudges. The kind of love that forces you to go to bed with a smile on your face no matter what kind of day you’ve had. It’s a unique love, a special love because it is our love.
What was the theme of your shoot?
We decided to do our engagement shoot at our wedding venue. We had a vineyard themed engagement shoot. We took most of our pictures nestled in between the beautiful palm trees, and in the vineyards. We also took pictures near huge wine barrels. To us, this symbolized a love that gets better with time, similar to a fine wine.
Were there any memorable moments during the shoot?
The entire shoot was memorable for us. We almost forgot Aizhan was shooting us. The smiles, laughter and affection were so natural, so real. If I had to choose a moment, it would be when Chris picked me up and gave me the most passionate kiss. I felt light as a feather yet so safe in that moment.
What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?
More than anything, I am looking forward to seeing all of my family, my new family, and having all of our loved ones near to witness us becoming one. I am also looking forward to crying tears of joy with my mother, and walking next to my father, down the aisle to my king.
Have you started planning your wedding?
Definitely! We’ve been engaged for seven months so far and everything is pretty much planned and ready to go. I just “said yes to the dress” on December 20th, and the only thing left is for us to attend our “couple’s food tasting” at our venue. We spent the early months of our engagement selecting the venue, cake, bridesmaid dresses, florist, and décor. Now, with 7 months left before the big day, we get to relax and enjoy being engaged!
Congratulations to the happy couple Sharonda and Christopher. We wish you a wonderful wedding and marriage.
Photographer: Photography by Aizhan
