Inspiration

Real Engagement {Chicago}: Tyeshia & Larry! – Blackbride.com

Tyeshia and Larry met through a mutual friend in 2008. "She knew we were both single and thought we would be perfect for each other. After several phone conversations over a span of weeks, Larry held my interest long enough that I agreed to go to dinner with him. It was technically a “blind date” but in the age of social media, we both saw each prior on Facebook so there weren’t any surprises. My first impression was that he was the perfect gentleman as demonstrated through his chivalry – he came to my door, brought me flowers, opened the car door, paid for dinner and walked me back to my door later that evening," recalls Tyeshia. Their first date proved to be a success, as they instantly hit it off. Tyeshia and Larry have been together for 5 years and are planning a "Chicago meets Carolina," themed Summer wedding in South Carolina next year. Check out their city chic engagement session, captured by Maria Harte of Maria Harte Photography!

Bride: Tyeshia Pinckney, 30, Television Producer

Groom: Larry Varn, 30, School Administrator 

Place of residence: Chicago, IL

Engagement Shoot Location: Chicago, IL

Wedding date: 6/20/15

Wedding location: Bluffton, SC

Engagement Story:

When Larry surprised me with a trip to Mexico for Thanksgiving, I merely thought we were starting a new tradition and escaping a chilly Chicago for warmer temps. Turns out, he was planning to propose. We had discussed marriage so I knew he was going to propose soon, but I thought it would happen at the Beyonce concert the following month. Despite my scheming and snooping, I was wrong. Our second night in Mexico, he told me he had reserved a beach-side candlelit dinner for us. Sure, it sounds romantic but my biggest concern was the impact the humidity would have on my hair. I eventually got on board (so glad I did). We enjoyed an intimate four course meal accompanied by the sound of the ocean. When it came time for dessert, in my peripheral view I noticed the waiter standing just off to the right of us with a camera. When I saw him get down on one knee, I knew the moment had arrived. I happily said yes to the man of my dreams and we sealed it with a kiss and a hug. That moment is perfectly captured in a photo that now sits on my nightstand. The most memorable moment from the proposal came after we left dinner and retreated to the resort’s lobby for a nightcap. He pulled out his cellphone and headphones and told me to put them on. A video – created by Larry – played with messages from my closet family and friends sending us love and well wishes on our engagement. What I loved most was that the video opened with Larry asking my dad for my hand in marriage and ended with Larry repeating 1 Corinthians 13:4-13. It was classic Larry: always thinking of ways to make me happy. I couldn’t have asked for a better proposal. It was absolutely magical!

What was the theme of your Engagement session?

We’re from South Carolina, but call Chicago home. Since we are getting married in the south, we want to incorporate Chicago into our wedding. The city is special to us because it’s really where our happily ever after began: I graduated with my Master’s, we both got our dream jobs, we purchased our first home and we have found an amazing church family and joined great ministries. Our shoot captured the essence of Chicago and our photographer, Maria brought it beautifully to life. We shot in various areas of the city, including North Avenue Beach with the city skyline as a backdrop, Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue. We also had a videographer on hand who captured our engagement session and interviewed us at the Bean. It was the perfect October day and the Fall weather was in full agreement.

What makes your love special?

Ty: Our love it special because it’s foundation is rooted in friendship, mutual respect and Christ like love. God loved us so much that he allowed our paths to cross. For that reason, we are fully committed to honoring the covenant of marriage.

Larry: Our love is special because the essence of it motivates me when I'm weary, inspires me when I'm void, encourages me when I'm defeated, supports me when I'm weak, and completes me where I am partial.

What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?

Ty: I’m excited about sharing this day with our family and friends, but marriage is between two people so I am most looking forward to us sharing our vows that we plan to write. This moment is going to be the most important one of the day, because I’ll finally be able to call him my husband, and he, his wife.

Larry:  Part of the wedding that I am most looking forward to is the moment I first see Ty coming down the aisle toward me to commit the rest of her life to our love. I can only imagine how beautiful that moment will be.

Have you started planning your wedding?

We are full steam ahead with wedding planning and have made a lot of progress. We’ve chosen our venue at the beautiful Hampton Hall Club in Bluffton, SC. We will get married by the water followed by an inside cocktail hour and ballroom reception. The theme of our wedding is “Chicago meets Carolina” so we plan to incorporate the city by serving our guests a Chicago classic – Garrett’s popcorn as a wedding favor. I was absolutely thrilled to discover they create mini bags of popcorn as wedding favors. The flavor? Chicago Mix, of course. Following the main course, we’ll have a Chicago food station where we’ll serve our guests Chicago style hotdogs and deep dish pizza as snack items especially for those guests who work up an appetite on the dance floor. We will also have 3 signature drinks and our guests’ tables will be labeled by Chicago staples (Millennium Park, Soldier Field, Willis Tower, etc.) Lastly, prior to our introduction as husband and wife at the reception, we will play the video from our Chicago engagement session – allowing our guests to have a peak into the city we love.

 

Congratulations to Tyeshia and Larry! We wish you a wonderful wedding and marriage!

Vendors:

Photographer: Maria Harte of Maria Harte Photography!

Beauty/Makeup: Aaquila of Crystal-Eyez Makeup & Beauty Lounge

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

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