Kristina and Domonique met in May 2008 at Carabba’s Italian Grill in Greensboro, NC. "We were both in town to celebrate my cousin, who also turned out to be Domonique’s best friend, who was graduating from college," said Kristina. Kristina and Domonique have been together for almost 3 years, and are planning a romantic garden themed wedding at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Vienna, VA. Check out their "City Chic" D.C. Engagement session, captured by Magnetic Images Photography Inc.
Bride: Kristina Fersner, 32, Police Officer
Groom: Domonique Saunders, 30, Business Developer Marketer/ Personal Trainer/ HS Football Coach
Place of residence: Temple Hills, MD
Engagement Shoot Location: Washington, DC (Georgetown)
Wedding date: 10/2/15
Wedding location: Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Vienna, VA
Wedding theme: Romance Garden
Engagement story from the bride-to-be:
It was Monday September 1, 2014 (Labor Day). Domonique and I decided to get some of my favorite seafood (crabs and shrimp) and go to a local park and eat them. While we were in route to the park it started to thunderstorm so we decided to take the food back to our house instead. We talked, laughed, ate and enjoyed our time together. I remember getting up to wash my hands in the kitchen and when I turned around Domonique embraced me and took a deep breath. He held me for a few seconds and then dropped to one knee, right there in the kitchen. He had the ring box in his hand and began to express how much he loved me and how he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. All I could do was cry. I cried so much that when he initially asked me to marry him I just stood there covering my eyes crying. He asked me again and through the tears I shouted “YES YES YES.”
From the Groom: Walk us through the behind the scenes of creating this special day:
I wanted this day to be special for her. Initially I wanted to get her family and close friends together for dinner to celebrate her birthday, which is September 29th, but I received news that she had a little suspicion that I may propose at the dinner so I quickly canceled those plans. I wanted to totally surprise her. I know that she loves crabs so I suggested that we go get some and go eat them in the park. My plans were interrupted by a thunderstorm but I was not going to let that stop me. We ate, talked, laughed and enjoyed our time together. She got up from the table and proceeded to the kitchen to wash her hands. Now earlier in the year I had a fake ring and we were joking around in the kitchen about how I would propose. I got down on one knee and proposed with the fake ring in a very silly manner and we laughed. I noticed she was in the very same spot she was in when I jokingly practiced proposing so I figured it was the perfect opportunity. I walked up to her, held her in my arms for a few seconds, and dropped to one knee.
What was the theme of your Engagement session?
We didn’t exactly have a theme for our engagement session. We wanted our engagement session to show how much in love with one another we are. Our photographer did an outstanding job of doing that for us. The pictures were classic, romantic, fun and fierce. We can just feel the love by simply looking at the photos. The shoot was exactly what we wanted and so much more.
What makes your love special?
Groom: For me it was love at first sight. When I first saw her I knew there was something special about her. I had a strong feeling that we would be more than friends and once I got to know her, I knew she was the only woman for me.
Bride: For me our love is like a fairytale. On our first date I felt like I was struck by Cupid’s arrow and I’ve been head over heels ever since.
What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?
We are looking forward to sharing our love and committing ourselves before God, family and friends.
Have you started planning your wedding?
Yes, our wedding is 2 months away. We are having an outdoor ceremony (weather permitting) in a botanical garden, so there will be lots of beautiful flowers, and an indoor reception. The ceremony will take place in the evening, an hour or so before sunset, so we will be able to get some beautiful sunset pictures. The reception will take place in an atrium so there will also be lots of beautiful flowers (Kristina loves flowers) and we will be able to enjoy the starlight.
Congrats to the happy couple Kristina and Domonique! We wish you a wonderful wedding and marriage.
Vendors:
Photographer:
Magnetic Images Photography Inc.
Beauty – Make-Up: Monica Gray
Stylist: Krystal Boyd
Hair: Lorin Michele
Curated by our Wedding Features Editor, C.K. Alexander. C.K. is the creator of the Single Bride Blog and the owner and founder of Love Ink and Brownston
e Bridal. Keep up with C.K. on Twitter here: @Love_Ink
