Kendra, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Andre, a graduate of Fayetteville State University had a Bentley themed wedding, a fun nod to their last name which is the same as the famous car. Guests each grabbed their own key to the Bentley reception and had a ride of their lives at the Trump National Golf Club, in Charlotte NC!
Wedding Date: September 19, 2015
Wedding Location: Trump National Golf Club, Charlotte NC
First Dance Song: “Spend My Life With You” by Eric Benét
Favorite Item on the Menu: Roasted chicken with creamy risotto, but the Asian-style Pot Stickers were amazing too!
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Gifts: The bridesmaids received robes and wedding day jewelry and the groomsmen each received a wooden box with a favorite bottle of alcohol, cigar, and wedding day socks.
Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal!
We were both working as Recruiters for a staffing company. A co-worker at the time held a Memorial Day cookout and invited a group of employees. We had a great time getting to know each other, and he tried to impress me with his grilling skills. A group of us went out that evening in downtown Charlotte and he was enough of a gentleman to drive me across town and walk me to my door to ensure that I made it home safely. We had immediate chemistry.
In late April 2014, our mutual friend and former co-worker sent me and Andre an e-mail from her job that included a flyer for Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens. The flyer advertised discounted tickets to a so-called “spring showcase” for May 3, 2014. It sounded great to me as I had been looking forward to visiting Daniel Stowe because I had never been. Little did I know at the time that it was a fabricated flyer, created by Andre. It looked completely legitimate! It was a tactic to get me to commit to visiting the garden on that particular date.
On May 3rd, Andre and I arrived at Daniel Stowe Botanical Gardens around 11:30 a.m.and our friend/co-worker joined us shortly thereafter. We spent about an hour strolling casually through the gardens, taking “selfies” and posing with nature. Andre told me he was going to run to the car to grab the picnic blanket, and my friend and I rested on a bench in the orchid conservatory. Ten minutes later, I received a text message from him to meet him in one particular part of the garden. While my friend and I walked up, I noticed my mother and was immediately confused as to why she was there. I looked at my friend completely perplexed. I then saw my father and brother, and moments later, I saw a group of about 20 people including Andre’s mother and father, brothers and sisters, family and friends. Andre grabbed my hand and brought me in front of the group. He recited the most beautiful speech before dropping to one knee and popping the big question. He whipped out the sparkly diamond and I cried out “Yes!” through my tears of joy.
Wedding Style
My wedding dress was a fit-and-flare, sweetheart top, champagne colored gown with an ivory lace overlay. It was one of the first dresses I tried on. I visited several other bridal shops and put on another 15 dresses or so, but went back to my first love. It was the dress that evoked the biggest emotional response from me as well as my friends.
Culture
We did not incorporate any particular culture into our wedding; however, it was very elegant!
Memories
The moment the drapery was pulled back, and I saw my Groom standing at the alter with tears in his eyes. I broke down!
Help a bride-to-be out!
Be true to you. Don’t get wrapped up in what other people want because you will drive yourself crazy trying to appease everyone. When you make a decision, stick to it. This includes the creation of your guest list, which can be a daunting task with others’ input.
Vendors:
Wedding Planner: Fabulously Created Events
Photography: Amore Vita Photography
Officiant: Colin Pinkney, The Harvest Center
Florals: April Floral Expressions
Venue: Trump National Golf Club, Charlotte
Cake: Cheesecake Etc.
Entertainment: DJ Groove
Saxophonist: Jonathan Rose
Videographer: Images of Power
Lighting & Sound: Eye Dialogue
Makeup: Flawless Makeup Art
Boat: Lake Norman Event Boat Transportation
Design: Whirlwind Creative
VIP Travel
Catering: Bentley’s on 27th
The is one of the most exciting days of my life, which I am thankful. We are a praying family. Faith, talk, education, respect of opinion makes it work people.
I love you Kendra, Andre Bentley
Kendra’s Father!
Love this couple and their love! Congratulations Kendra and Andre and thanks again for allowing Fabulously Created Events to be a part of your big day.
CONGRATULATIONS! You two make an incredibly beautiful couple.
Genesis 2:22, 23
22. And Jehovah God built the rib that he had taken from the man into a woman, and he brought her to the man. 23. Then the man said: “This is at last bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh. This one will be called Woman, because from man she was taken.”
http://www.jw.org/en/publications/books/happy-family/god-happy-marriage/