Jermaine and Shaynah met in high school while they were both members of JROTC. Jermaine actually didn’t like Shaynah at all, he initially thought she was loud and mean. In March of 2011, Jermaine was back in Rahway, their hometown, after serving in the Marine Corps. Shaynah had just come home from completing active duty orders with the Navy. Shaynah was invited to a house party by a mutual friend at Jermaine’s house and they had a chance to reconnect. Check out their elegant emerald and gold wedding, captured by Expressions By Brandy.
Bride: Shaynah Lanae Ford, 25, US Navy
Groom: Jermaine Lavar Ford, 27, Student
Place of residence: Augusta Georgia
Wedding date: 8/9/15
Wedding location: Atlanta, GA
Wedding theme: Gone with the Wind/Emerald & Gold
Honeymoon Destination: Paris, France
Engagement story:
The day of the proposal was also the day that Jermaine’s sister was due to give birth. It was a very hectic day. Shaynah spent most of the day out of the house, at the hospital with Jermaine’s sister. She and I had grown close. Jermaine asked me about 20 times would I be able to make dinner, and I was planning on making it. I thought he was mad at me. I knew we were supposed to go to dinner, but I didn’t want to leave his sister. Jermaine’s sister was having a difficult labor. We ended up skipping dinner so that we could make the concert. The whole time he was quiet and not outgoing. I thought he was just upset about missing dinner. After the concert, we went to see Jermaine’s sister and saw his new niece. Afterward, we went home and quietly he proposed to me in the comfort and quiet of our own home.
From the Bride:
All I wanted to do was talk to Jermaine. I was so excited to see him. I wasn’t scared just excited. The day started off really early for me with hair and makeup. The wedding was all that I thought it would be. Jermaine cried. I could see it as I walked down the aisle and I knew I was done for. I began crying too. If you knew Jermaine you would know he doesn’t cry. He is a stoic man. So to see him breaking down at the alter, I knew he felt what I was feeling. And I remember thinking, “I don’t want to be anywhere else right now but on my way to him.” The day was everything I expected, we had worked so hard in planning this day, our coordinator and vendors worked wonders.
From the Groom:
My wedding experience is definitely something I'll be able to remember forever. I was so into my feelings and I couldn’t help it. I felt comfortable because I had all my groomsmen around me. The guys who knew exactly how I felt about Shaynah and how much she means to me. Watching her walk down the aisle, I just lost it. Tears of joy running down my face because of how much I care for her and how lucky I believe myself to be to have found someone who cares about me as much as I do them. All the planning, meetings with different vendors, and stressful moments for over a year seemed to all be worth it for those couple hours.
What makes your love special?
Our love is special because of what we know separately. Having both served in the military, we understand how military service can put a strain on a relationship. We balance each other with ideas and how we handle life in general. Jermaine is the calm collected one. He see’s a situation and won’t react until he has analyzed all aspects. Shaynah is very blunt. She see’s a situation and finds the path of least resistance even if it’s not the best option. With the two of us together we make a great team. Understand of how each other thinks and works is what has kept us going.
Favorite wedding detail:
Shaynah: The colors. Emerald and Gold were the colors for the day and they were everywhere. From the bridesmaids and groomsmen to the cake and tablecloths.
Jermaine: the grooms cake was definitely the best. An x box game console with the controller, showing a picture of my favorite NFL team and player Odell Beckham from the New York Giants.
Wedding song:
Most memorable moment:
Cutting the cake and being goofy as only he and I can. We both made a face as we were getting ready to cut the cake that many people were able to capture. It was funny and a culmination of how we are together, Goofy.
What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?
Shaynah: Starting our lives together. Taking trips and exploring the world as just us; and especially when we have children. I am so proud to have this man as my husband. He knows how to keep me on my toes and he never disappoints. I am looking forward to all the surprises he has up his sleeve for me.
Jermaine: I'm looking forward to building and starting a family. Having children is the most pre
cious gift you could receive and I couldn’t think of anyone else to do that with except Shaynah.
Congrats to the newlyweds Shaynah and Jermaine! We wish you many more years of wedded bliss!
Vendors:
Photographer: Expressions By Brandy
Ceremony & reception location: Biltmore Ballrooms
Bridal gown: Eve of Milady, Kleinfeld Bridal Boutique
Bridal party attire: Etsy
Groom’s tux: Jos. A Bank
Cake: Perfect Wedding Cakes
Caterer: A Divine Event
Favors: AB Creations
Wedding planner: Nancy Nolan-Kuperberg
Music: DJ Fonix
Beauty: Makeup By JayTee
Flowers: A Divine Event
Stationery: Wedding Paper Divas
