Linda and Eugene met on an online dating website in 2011. "We lived an hour apart in Colorado due to our jobs and would visit each other every weekend. Ten months later, Ray got a job in Michigan with the Detroit Pistons and proposed the weekend before he moved. I joined him 3 months later," said Linda. The two celebrated their move with a marriage 7 months later. Check out their special day captured by Ramses Racelis.
Bride: Linda Ayana Eaton, 29, General Dentist
Groom: Eugene Raymond Verin II, 32, Corporate Partnership Marketing Manager for the Detroit Pistons
Place of residence: Dearborn, Michigan
Wedding date: 9/3/14
Wedding location: Nehemiah’s Temple and The Detroit Marriott Troy
Honeymoon Destination: London and Paris
Engagement story :
Ray decided to take me out for a dinner to celebrate his new job. I was pretty down that he was moving out of state and he could definitely hear it in my voice from our earlier phone conversation. We went to the best steakhouse in Colorado Springs called The Famous. Little did I know, Ray had been there earlier in the day to set everything up. We checked in for our reservation and were told our table wasn't ready yet. I thought that was odd since it was only 5 (which is very early for dinner) and we could see that the majority of the tables in the restaurant were empty. We were finally seated and given our menus. I opened it up to see the note written "Will you marry me?" At first I was shocked, did they give me a menu meant for another table? But when Ray handed me the beautiful ring, I knew right then and there that my life had changed for the better forever.
From the Bride:
I wasn’t nervous at all, I really wanted to get married. I was anxious because our family and friends kept trying to keep us from seeing each other before the ceremony. When I was ready to leave the hotel for the wedding, I was stopped because my sister and brother said they saw Ray coming up the elevator, I guess he had forgotten something. I was ready to go, but had to wait on everybody else.
From the Groom:
I was really relaxed, I had a few last minute touches to put on the wedding, so I knew I had Linda waiting, but everything came out great in the end. My best man and groomsmen really kept me on track.
What are you most looking forward to as a married couple?
Just growing old together, we have started to become very active together by going on runs and living and eating healthy. We are starting young so that we will have long lives ahead of us for each other, our future children, and grandchildren.
Advice for a Bride/Groom on their wedding day:
I loved having a sweetheart table, I think it’s important you and your husband spend some time together alone, we were able to talk and laugh at things going on in the room and just sit side by side together on such a busy day.
Congratulations to newlyweds Linda and Eugene! We wish you many more years of wedded bliss.
Vendors:
Photographer: Ramses Racelis; www.ramyphotography.com
Ceremony Location: Nehemiah’s Temple; nehtemple.org
Reception Location: Detroit Marriott Troy; www.marriott.com
Bridal Gown: David’s Bridal
Groom's Tux: Calvin Klein- Men’s Warehouse
Cake: Mannino’s Bakery; www.manninosbakery.com
Favors: Matchbooks; www.theknot.com
Wedding Planner: Ashley Wytka from the Marriott Hotel
Music: DJ Hollywoodbaby; instagram.com/djhollywoodbaby
Beauty: Faces by Kyana Lofton; www.kyanalofton.com
Stationery: Exclusively Weddings and 123 Print
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