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John was a guest musician at a church youth revival in December of 2008 when he first laid eyes on Paula.  It was Paula’s church in New York, and since John was visiting from Texas, he never really got a chance to make a connection with her that day.  When he returned back home to Texas, he searched high and low for Paula’s contact information, and he found it.  Still, it took him almost 3 months and another visit to New York, before actually reaching out to her.  The love birds never stopped talking since then…

Their lovely wedding was held at the Chateau Briand in New York and was filled with love, fun, and plenty of dancing.  A special thanks to George Rowe Photography for sharing these gorgeous images with us.  Meet the couple.

Bride: Paula Benjamin
Groom:  John Casey
Occupations: Teacher, Musician
Wedding date:  July 7, 2012

The proposal…

John’s Story

After finding the perfect ring, I was now ready to propose! At first I wanted to do it on her birthday but I figured she would expect it then and I did not want to be that predictable so I did it the weekend before. I thought of many different scenarios, but nothing was unique enough. I decided to book a day at the spa and told her what time to be ready. She had no idea where she was going but figured it out when I turned the block. She was very much surprised! She stayed there for a few hours to be pampered. While she was at the spa, I found a great restaurant to take her so I quickly made reservations. After the spa treatment, we went to the Waterside restaurant in New Jersey. We enjoyed a very romantic dinner. After dinner, we went back to the city to see Kevin Hart’s new movie “Laugh at my Pain.”

After the movie, I was just itching to propose and thought the best place to go was the Promenade which was one of our initial spots upon meeting. We went to the Promenade and we talked for a very long time (about an hour and half). I finally got down on one knee and asked her to marry me…

Paula’s Story

My birthday was coming up and John and I made plans to see Kevin Hart’s movie “Laugh at my Pain.” I did not know that he had other plans as well. On Saturday September 10, 2011 John texted me and told me to be ready by 2pm. I was ready and quite confused about why he would rush to go see the movie when we could go anytime. I was ready by 2:09 (I know! I’m working on my punctuality). He drove to the spa that he knew I always wanted to go to, but never had the time. I was so surprised and couldn’t believe it. I was pampered with a massage, manicure and pedicure. It was the best treat ever!!

We left the spa and we drove to New Jersey to have dinner at the Waterside Restaurant. The restaurant and the dinner were very romantic. Our table was right by the Hudson and the view was spectacular. I enjoyed myself but thought, were we still going to see Kevin Hart?

Well we did end up back in the city to see Kevin Hart. I laughed so hard at the movie that my chest started to hurt. When we got back in the car John told me he had one more stop to make. I thought to myself where could we possibly go this late? Spa, dinner and a movie was enough! We ended up at the Promenade talking for over an hour (I thought John didn’t want to go home). He switched the conversation to “I know that we have been talking about our future and I want you to know that I think we are ready to take it to the next level.” John got down on one knee and opened the box with the ring and asked me to marry him. I began to cry tears of joy and said yes!! It was the perfect ending to a perfect day…and the perfect beginning to our lives together…

The best moment…

“The most memorable part of our wedding day was exchanging our vows. The vows for us symbolize our lifelong commitment to each other. We both have been anxiously waiting for this day to come to exchange our vows.”

On incorporating culture…

“As young African Americans who cherished all the things that our ancestors fought for and endured for us to receive freedom, we decided to incorporate jumping the broom.  Jumping the broom symbolizes the union of a man and wife during slavery times. Our ancestors (slaves) were not able to have a luxurious ceremony however jumping a broom symbolize the union of two into one. We have jumped the broom that day and the two have become one.”

{Love Birds}

She loves…“One thing that I love about John is humble character. I love that he is not prideful in his depth of knowledge of many things, and his skills in musicianship. John chooses to be ambitious and create a better him. Most of all I love the way that he treats me “like a lady.”

He loves…“The thing John likes most about me is my inner and outer beauty. He always tells me, not only are you extremely gorgeous but your character always pushes you to help others in need and better those you come in contact with.”

There’s more in the gallery here

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