Inspiration

Flashback Friday: Tekia and Leo’s Romantic Chicago Wedding! – Blackbride.com

Tekia and Leo met through a mutual friend on MySpace in 2007. "I was talking to my best friend on the phone about her ex-boyfriend and I was going through her friends list to find his MySpace page, when I came across a photo of this handsome man. “Who is Lioj78”? I asked her. “Oh that’s Leo. I went to high school with him,” she said. I quickly went back to my purpose. However, Coming to the end of our conversation I didn’t want to hang up without getting a few more details on this Lioj guy. My best friend gave me the scoop and told me that he was a real gentleman and an overall nice guy. She wanted to play matchmaker but I decide that it would be a bad idea considering I just got out of a relationship," recalls Tekia.  A week went by and Tekia finally found the courage to contact Leo on MySpace. The two talked backed and forth before exchanging phone numbers. Before ending their conversation,Tekia asked Leo out on a date and Leo happily obliged. Little did they know, this first date would become one of many. Tekia and Leo, who have been together for 7 years, celebrated their union with a romantic summer wedding at Hotel Sax Chicago. Check out their special day captured by Miller and Miller Photography!

Bride: Tekia C.Jenkins,33, Owner and Lead Wedding Planner & Designer of Kia Marie Events

Groom: Leo Jenkins, 35, Manager of Ophthalmology Department

Place of residence: Chicago

Wedding date: 7/27/12

Wedding location: Chicago IL

Wedding theme: Romantic, Classic with a little Vintage.

Your best/most memorable moment:

One of my favorite wedding memories was getting ready with my girls. We were just hanging out getting hair and makeup done. Having a great time. Everything was just calm. Then my flowers arrived. I was so excited because everything was so beautiful. I didn’t want to change a thing. Another moment was when Leo and I decided to have a first look. We wanted to see each other before the wedding and take pictures. It was so much fun sneaking behind him. I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around and we just laughed. He was so handsome. My wedding officiant was my mother. It was important to both of us to have someone that knew us perform our ceremony. She was amazing and everyone felt the love in the room. It was a special time and we wanted to include our family as much as possible.

Engagement Story:

On Christmas day I was so excited I just knew that Leo would propose. As we exchanged gifts I counted them as I opened them. “One, two, three…wait something is missing. No little box. Hmm, maybe later” I said to myself. We made plans to visit our families together but time went by so fast. I decided to go to my sister’s house first and then meet him at his grandfather’s house. On my way to my sister’s house I had car trouble and had to get my car towed. What a disaster. Leo picked me up from my sister's house later that evening. I was not in the best of moods because I couldn’t stop thinking about my car. On our way home Leo tried to cheer me up and assured me that I could just use his car until we figured out the problem with my car. I walked in the house and jumped in the shower. The next morning I immediately started to take down the Christmas tree. Leo got up and asked “what are you doing? Why are you taking down the tree”? I replied with a furious “I don’t want to see anymore Christmas stuff” He laid on the sofa just staring at me. I was so mad that I tricked myself into thinking that he would propose on Christmas. A few minutes went by and he asked me if I was upset because I didn’t propose on Christmas day? Of course I told him. I felt relieved that I got that of my chest. I let him know that I wasn’t mad at him but myself for thinking that it would happen on Christmas. Once we settled down for the night we laid down to watch a movie. I was interrupted by a little bathroom break. Walking back from the bathroom I went to lay my head down on the pillow and there it was! Ha! The little box! Leo opened it and asked me to marry him. This was a joke I thought. I didn’t even think he had a ring. My answer was YES! I immediately went to call both my dad and step dad but Leo had already asked their permission. He explained that he wanted to ask me on Christmas in front of his family but I had car trouble and I was not in the best of moods. The only way to surprise me was to just do it. That night we called all of our close family and friends to tell them the great news.

From the Groom:

Being the groom felt great! All eyes are on you, and the bride respectively. Good friends, good music and good vibes. The best part is sharing the day with everyone around you who played a significant role in your life.

From the bride:

It was great being a Bride. The day of your wedding you are never left alone. There is always someone there to comfort you and to make sure everything runs smooth. All the attention is on you. It feels amazing. It was more than I dreamed of. It was like a fairytale.

What makes your love special?

Leo and I keep our relationship private for the most part. We've learned to communicate with each other and it makes our relationship easier. He knows me better than I know myself.

Wedding song:

I walked down the aisle to “I’ll stand by you” by the Pretenders. The lyrics to the song just reminded me of how much we love each other and will do anything for each other. Leo and I were there in each others lives through some of the most difficult and saddest times, all right before we got married. It helped that we had each other to lean on.

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

We look forward to traveling together, with our children and just growing old together. There is never a dull moment.

Advice for a Bride/Groom on their wedding day:

My advice for Brides and Grooms on their wedding  day, is to chill and let their wedding planner handle everything. Don't sweat the small stuff, just enjoy the time you have with your family and friends. Also, you must see your reception before your guests enter it's such a marvelous feeling to see your vision come together.

 

Congratulations to Tekia and Leo on celebrating 2 years of marriage! We wish you many more years of wedded bliss!

Vendors:

Photographer: Miller and Miller Photography!

Ceremony location: Rockefeller Memorial Chapel

http://rockefeller.uchicago.edu/

Reception location: Hotel Sax Chicago

http://www.magellanluxuryhotels.com/chicago/hotel-chicago-downtown/

Bridal gown : anjolique bridal Eva's Bridal

Bridal party attire: www.saisonblanche.com/

Groom’s tux: Joseph Banks

Cake: Take the Cake www.cake-chicago.com/

Caterer: Hotel Sax Chicago

Favors: Late night snack – Hamburger sliders

Wedding planners: Kia Marie Events

www.kiamarievents.com

Anika Jackson www.anikakaievents.com

Music : DJ Vince Adams

https://www.facebook.com/djvinceadamsworld

Hair and makeup: Remedy Salon Farrah Bledsoe

https:remedy-salon.com

Makeup: Stacy Kelly – Stacy Faces

https://www.face book.com/StacyFaces

Flowers: Vale of Enna salon.com

Stationery: Kia Marie Events

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

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *