Inspiration

Real Engagements {Washington D.C.}: Kali & Cedrick! – Blackbride.com

Kali and Cedrick met through Kali's best friend and Cedrick's older brother in 2002. However, the two didn't start dating until after Cedrick asked Kali, who is an opera singer, to sing on one of his songs. "He was so much fun to work with that for days afterward I thought about him. Then out of the "Blue" he called and hasn't stopped calling me since, that was 3 years ago," said Kali. The two musicians are planning to spend forever creating beautiful music together, starting with their Fall NYC wedding this year. Check out their Washington D.C. engagement session captured by Jerome Frederick of JAR Media and Design .

Groom: Cedrick Blue: Artist/Sales

Place of residence New York City/Long Island, NY

Engagement Shoot Location: Union Station, Washington, DC

Wedding date: 9/6/15

Wedding location: New York City

Wedding theme: Our Favorite Things/Uniquely Us

Engagement story from the bride-to-be:

Cedrick and I were traveling this past July (2014) with his parents on a mission trip with a group they started (Adventist Against Aids in Africa or A4). We were in Malawi and we took a short break from visiting orphanages to visit the beautiful Lake Malawi and got to explore the beach for a little while. I had been climbing rocks, falling into the water and picking up shells along the sand and I looked an absolute MESS! We were preparing to leave to continue our visits to the orphanages and as usual I am taking as many pictures as I can take and Cedrick asked to take a picture with me, so I turn on my front facing camera and Ced says “No let my brother take the pic ” as I turn away to give my phone to his brother and turn back to Ced he had gotten down on one knee and was holding his hand out to me. Because Cedrick can be a bit of a ham I thought he was just being his usual jokey self and told him to “Stop it!! GET UP! Don’t play like that!” I turn to the audience who is now gathered and ask “What the heck is he doing?” hence all of the first pictures of our engagement look like I am scoffing at him…because in fact I am. I actually don’t remember all that he said because I was still trying to process the fact that the love of my life was proposing, but I do remember him asking to spend the rest of my like with him and that is the only thing I have thought of doing since our first date.

For the Groom: Walk us through the behind the scenes of creating this special day:

I told my parents and friends that I was going to propose a month prior to leaving for Malawi. I heard that we were stopping at Lake Malawi for a day trip. I Googled it and beautiful is an understatement. I knew that was the perfect place to pop the question. Fast forward. The 3 week trip sucked every bit of life out of us. According to American standards we had nothing. Dirty water, iffy electricity, and questionable meals on day to day basis was a very humbling experience. My baby didn't complain. She prayed, went hard, and she got through it like the strong woman she is. The night before we went to the lake I had the whole proposal mapped out with my brother.   I didn't have a ring at the time, but I figure if she loves me for real, then the ring can come later. I prayed and went to sleep. The next day was my brother's 31st birthday. I will never forget it. Primarily, because we spent the entire day teaching and feeding orphans around various villages. It was a very rewarding, but tiring experience. I heard that we were going to stop at the lake for some R&R. As we pulled up to the lake I was taken aback by its beauty. There I learned, we were at 1 of the 3 largest lakes in the continent. I was thinking, here it goes…. I hopped out of the Sprinter van and headed to the water. My life is flashing before my eyes as I walk towards the shoreline. Just as I got to the water the driver informed us we had to leave. I was so mad. My plan was washed. I guess it was an answer to prayer because I prayed for signs. This was one of  them. I hopped back in the Van and we went to another orphanage. Hopped back in the Van afterwards and went to sleep. I woke up at even a more beautiful shoreline than before. That's when I knew. It's going down. Here and now, like Luther. After we ran around the beach, I told Fred it's go time!I asked my brother to take a picture of Kali and I. He knew what time it was so his camera was already rolling. I asked her. She asked "where's my ring", because she thought I was joking. I told her it was too big to bring on the plane. Then she tackled me. Soon as I got off the plane home I went to see Benny the Jeweler and got my lady some diamonds.

What was the theme of your Engagement session?

Theme? We don’t work that way so basically our theme was “ Look as good as possible and don’t have food in your teeth” oh and “Suck in your gut.”

What makes your love special?

We do! We are two unique souls who don’t always see eye to eye on things but the one thing we always see the exact same way is our love for each other and for God. We are the special elements in our love.

What are you most looking forward to about your wedding?

Honestly I’m ready for it to be over. I just want to be married to my Tofu.

Have you started planning your wedding?

We started planning the day we got back from Africa (Not my decision my future MIL was really excited). Two things that are of prime importance to us Music and Food. We are both musicians so the music has been handpicked and means a lot to us. FOOD!! WE LOVE FOOD! And we love so many different types of food so it will be quite eclectic. I want everyone invited to have a great time.

Congrats to the happy couple Kali and Cedrick! We wish you a wonderful wedding and marriage.

Vendors:

Photographers: 

Jerome Frederick of JAR Media and Design

2nd Photographer: Michael Edwards

Movie Poster by videographer: Chip Dizard

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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