Real Wedding {Maryland}: Shari & Darrell!

Shari and Darrell met in June 2002, during their freshman orientation at the University of Maryland College Park. During their lunch break in the South Campus Dining Hall, Shari was sitting at a table with a few girl friends and noticed Darrell (the only African American male of our orientation group) sitting by hiself reading the campus newspaper. "She then approached me and asked if I'd like to join her and her group of friends for lunch. After introducing ourselves, we realized we had friends in common. We hadn’t declared our majors yet and were scheduled for a few of the same core classes. We became close friends freshman year," recalled Darrell. The two college coeds remained close throughout their college years and kept in touch after graduation when Shari left for New Orleans for law school. Upon her return to Maryland in summer of 2009, the old friends reconnected via "G-chat" on Gmail, and began hanging out frequently. Shortly after reuniting, they both decided that it was time to take their friendship to the next level. The couple who had been together for 7 years, celebrated their union with a vibrant wedding at the very place they first met. Check out their special day captured by Kanayo Adibe!

Bride: Shari Griffith, 31, Attorney

Groom: Darrell Griffith, 32, IT, Integrated Production Support

Photography by: Kanayo Adibe

Place of residence: Bowie, Maryland

Wedding date: 8/20/16

Wedding location: University of Maryland College Park

Wedding theme: Darrell and I love to play games and have fun. Our culture is also important to us. My family is Jamaican and English while Darrell’s family is Trinidadian. We merged the two during our cocktail hour by having giant Connect 4 and Jenga to be played by our guests on the lawn and Darrell’s uncle (a musician) played his steel pan.

Honeymoon Destination: Maui, Hawaii

Engagement story:

About a month prior to our engagement, a friend of ours sent an email to a group of our friends to plan a tailgate for a Terps football game on “Family Day” in October 2015. A day before the game, our friend sent an email stating that the tailgate had been canceled due to the rainy weather. I was bummed, but soon after, Darrell asked me if I’d like to still go on campus and just walk around. I said, sure, as I always welcomed a chance to reminisce on our old stomping grounds.

Once we got to campus, we walked into some of the old classrooms we once shared (including the ones I’d sit in on with him when I was on break from my classes). I then wanted to go into the Stamp Student Union to buy a school t-shirt. Darrell was super patient as I took my time walking around. When we left, he asked if I wanted to get something to eat on campus. We decided to go into the South Campus Dining Hall where we first met.

As we walked inside, I was starving and was about to enter the cafeteria when Darrell stopped me and asked if I wanted to reenact how we met at the cafeteria tables. If you know us, you know I didn’t think twice. We (or maybe it’s just me) have no shame in most things corny. Darrell sat down at a table and told me to go sit at a table behind him. I obliged. Then, he quickly ran over to get a copy of the campus newspaper from a shelf. When he came back to his seat, he unzipped his jacket and was wearing the exact same extremely oversized Portland Trailblazers warm-up jersey he had on when we met during lunch at orientation in June 2002. I, still, didn’t think anything of this. I just laughed out loud, because I couldn’t believe he found that and then thought to wear it. I walked over to him and pretended to introduce myself and asked if he wanted to join me and my group of girl friends for lunch.

Before I could even finish my question, Darrell was on one knee with the ring in his hand. I screamed with my hands over my mouth. All of the students in the dining hall were cheering and clapping. As I began to realize what was happening, I noticed a small object to the left of my face. When I looked over, I saw that it was a close friend of ours holding a Go-Pro. I screamed again. I looked more to my left and again to my surprise, I saw five more of our close friends standing there and clapping. I screamed again. I looked even further to my left and saw my now sister-in-law kneeling down with my brother-in-law and his wife watching and cheering along through Face Time as they were in another country at the time. Of course, I screamed again. I was so overwhelmed with surprise and happiness. I also couldn’t believe that everyone was in on this, my family included, and kept it all from me. Afterwards, we went back to Darrell’s house for a cookout with our friends who were present at the engagement in addition to a few others. I loved Darrell’s proposal and think it was perfect for us. One of the best days ever.

From the Bride:

My day started very early and I was up by 6 a.m. for a 7:30 a.m. hair appointment. My mom and I packed up my things for the day as I was headed straight to the College Park Marriott following my hair appointment. When I arrived at the hotel around 11 a.m., my bridesmaids were getting their makeup done. In between, they were snacking on food and dancing to music. It was obvious I was late to the party, but didn’t hesitate to jump right in. From selfies to random stories to dancing segments, we had way too much fun getting dressed. Laughter was the soundtrack of the afternoon.

I was pretty calm before the wedding, but once we arrived at the Chapel, it hit me that it was time. I walked up the stairs with the help of my Maid of Honor and met my father at the top. I tried to hold it together while walking down the aisle, but once the music began and I saw Darrell, it was hard to even breathe. I got it together once my dad officially gave me aw
ay and Darrell and I joined hands. Yet, my composure was short-lived once Darrell broke down during the reciting of our vows. Sharing our wedding day with our family and friends was an unforgettable experience. I’ll always remember the emotions throughout the day. I was just so grateful and give all glory to God.

From the Groom:

The day was spent in a hotel room at the College Park Marriott with my groomsmen and nephews. We spent the morning laughing, playing music, rehashing old stories, etc. Everything was going easy until the photographer told us that we should start getting dressed. That’s when we realized no one knew how to tie a bow tie. We went into panic mode. Luckily, one of my groomsmen remembered how to tie a bow tie (after several YouTube “how to” videos) and we were able to fix everyone’s tie to look decent.

There were a few bets among the groomsmen whether or not I would cry on my wedding day. It wasn’t until moments before the ceremony that I got emotional for the first time (one of a few times). I got emotional during a conversation with one of my groomsmen about entering marriage and also when I saw Shari for the first time walking down the aisle with her father. I broke down during the reciting of the vows and once again during the reception when my brother gave his best man speech. It was truly an emotional day, all for good reason. In hindsight, it all happened so fast but I enjoyed the day from beginning to end.

Most memorable moment:

Our best and most memorable moment was when we recited our vows. l didn't think that I was going to get emotional during the ceremony, but in reciting my vows and while looking at Shari, I choked up.

What makes your love special?

We've always been the best of friends. Being friends first has formed the foundation of our love.

Wedding song: “Ribbon in the Sky” – Stevie Wonder

We are both Stevie Wonder fans and always loved the lyrics of the song. We were actually on a flight (months even before our engagement) listening to songs on my iPod and came across the song and we both agreed that it would be our song for our first dance.

Favorite wedding detail:

Our favorite wedding detail was the photo booth. It was super fun taking pictures with everyone and seeing all of the photos our guests took. We have the best family and friends.

What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?

We are most looking forward to sharing life’s experiences as a unit and helping each other in our spiritual walks with Christ.

Advice for a Bride/Groom on their wedding day:

Don’t sweat the small stuff! If something hasn't been completed by your wedding day, it's probably not that important. Don't worry about it. No one will notice that it’s missing but you, and your day will still be just as perfect.

Congratulations to the newlyweds Shari and Darrell! We wish you many more years of wedded bliss.

Vendors:

Photographer: Kanayo Adibe

Videographer: Simon Cook

Ceremony location: University of Maryland Memorial Chapel

Reception location: Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center

Bridal gown: Designer – Inbal Dror with custom alterations by Beverly Passard Designs

Bridal party attire: Custom-made dresses by Beverly Passard Designs

Groom’s tux: J. Crew

Cake: Fluffy Thoughts Cake

Caterer: Zeffert & Gold

Wedding planner: Tiffanie McCoy at Bird of Paradise Events