Cynquetta & Almet have known each other since they were kids but it wasn’t until they reconnected while Cynquetta was in college that they started to see each other differently. The feelings of childhood friendship reinforced and developed into a boundless love, carrying them over the threshold of matrimony to become husband and wife in a gorgeous ceremony surrounded by family and friends.
Read all about Cynquetta & Almet’s love story, romantic proposal, and wedding experiences – featuring the photography of MunaLuchi Coterie member Sheronda Seawright, and event design of MunaLuchi Coterie member Event Loft.
Bride & Groom: Cynquetta & Almet
Occupations: Assistant Property manager for EB Realty Management
& Routes Sales Driver for Ready Refresh
Wedding Date: August 18, 2017
Wedding Location: The Merion, Cinnaminson, NJ
Tell us how you met and all about the proposal.
His perspective: “In life, you don’t know who will be by your side to tackle the obstacles that are thrown your way, and to reap the blessings that are given to you. Cynquetta and I have been friends for many years. We can thank Fatima (Cynquetta’s cousin), and Carl, a friend of mine for us ever meeting. The five of us, with another friend, Anthony being the fifth, were all pretty close at a young age. At some point in our teenage years, we lost contact with Cynquetta not knowing what happened. We later found out that her mom lit fire to her ass for talking to boys on the phone! Only if her mom knew we all just looked out for each other. Fast forward years later, Carl was on Facebook and came across Fatima. Fatima contacted Cynquetta, and at this point she’s in college in her junior year I believe. We all got on the phone and Cynquetta was really excited to hear from us. We all decided to meet up at her apartment off-campus to catch up. We got there, and Cynquetta answered the door. This is where it all started. I saw her and I looked at Carl and said, “oh Cynquetta done grown up,” he looked at me and said, “Steve, (that’s what they called me back then by my middle name) chill, that’s Cynquetta.” We went into her apartment and we’re just playing cards and watching the packers beat the breaks off the Atlanta Falcons. This is the year the packers won the Super Bowl. I’m a packers fan if you didn’t catch that. Anyway, I got a tip that Cynquetta had a crush on me, so I said the next time we chill it would be us alone and that’s how it started. Let her tell it she had a headache, I offered to massage her temples, and I was gazing into her soul.
Really and truly what attracted me to her was her outgoing personality and the care she has for people. When you find somebody that brings you happiness and wants to go after everything that life has to offer with you, I believe you can build a foundation on that. Cynquetta, that was the reason I asked for your hand a marriage. So when you have a headache in the future, I will rub your temples and gaze deep into your soul forever.”
Her perspective: “I just couldn’t get enough of how he said my name. One, Cynquētta and the 11-year-old Cyn just blushed, blushed, & blushed! Outside of my little schoolgirl crush on how he said my name though, there really wasn’t much to the story back then (2001).
Between my cousin Fatima, who by the way gets the credit for the introduction, Almet, and another friend, I had the perfect teenage trio to learn from growing up. I got to hear of their struggles, accomplishments, dreams, and I had a front row seat to their teenage shenanigans!
Although Almet would deny this to the very END, I’d have to say that the highlight of our group convos, were our sing alongs. Cornballs man! They put me on some New Edition though! We swore we were going to be the next big music group! Of course, according to Almet though, the sing-alongs never happened! It’s funny because thinking about it now, Almet can’t sing his ABCs on key so I have no idea what we were thinking back then!
In 2003 just before I started high school, I lost touch with the crew I had grown so close to over the last couple of years. My mom thought I was too young to talk to boys on the phone so it was a wrap. My song of choice was TLC’s “I miss you so much.” Yea…Fast forward six years, I’m in the middle of my college career and I get a call from my cousin, “Guess who I heard from?! Carl, (and in turn), Steve!” Shocked was an understatement! I invited everyone over to my apartment for dinner and to catch up. That’s when Steve became Almet! (I NEVER called Almet by his first name growing up, it was always by Steve, now it’s the complete opposite!).
It all started with a headache… Somehow, we ended up in the living room alone together and this guy said, “let me rub your temples.” That con artist! Turns out that dinner was the first step in our forever because we’ve been stuck like chuck ever since. March 21, 2017 marked our 5-year anniversary. While it’s pretty safe to say that neither of us would have predicted this outcome years ago, I’m happy that the Man upstairs had it mapped out all along. I thank Him, and I pray that He guides each step as we continue this journey together. I’m snatching that last name come August 18th, 2017.
The proposal: Almet proposed 4 days before my 26th birthday. He took me out to Talula’s Garden in Philadelphia. I was excited to start my birthday weekend, but he was acting super strange, and even more so once we arrived to the restaurant. I can remember asking more than a few times, “are you ok?” Every so often his eyes would just gaze off into space and I was like focus man, focus! Even with his odd, and some could even say, nervous, behavior I was still completely clueless! The whole meal, I was super pumped for my crème brulee dessert! Just after dinner though, we got into a marriage conversation and I told him he wasn’t about that life. Before I knew it, Almet was down on one knee holding a ring box. I was struck! I honestly couldn’t believe it was reality. After asking, “is this for real” about twenty times, with a huge smile on my face I said YES! We toasted, we talked, and I literally had one bite of the crème brulee that I was looking forward to so much. I was in complete shock! July 22nd will always be a day to remember…”
What was wedding shopping like for you? My first stop was L&H Bridal in Philadelphia with my Mom and my whole bride squad! It was a pretty successful night. I left having tried on two really good contenders. For the experience, I also had an appointment scheduled at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York, and while there, we also visited a few smaller boutiques. I tried on some very beautiful gowns that day, but not one that I thought was “IT!” A few days later, I went back to L&H to have a second go at one of the dresses I tried on my first visit. That’s when I found it! There was a dress on a mannequin that caught our eye in passing, but I didn’t actually try it on the first time I was there. I tried it on that night and the search was over, cue the tears that I didn’t think I would have. My dress was a beaded v-neck lace dress with the most gorgeous belt and just the right amount of embellishments. I definitely wanted to show off the curves so this fitted, mermaid style was just what I was looking for. The low-ish back added a sexy feel to it as well, and don’t get me started on the studded cathedral veil. Perfect for me! It was more than I could have ever imagined, and on wedding day, I was so in love with the completed look!
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? The groom is Jamaican, and because we both love everything about Jamaican food, we did a culture station at cocktail hour. The area included sweet plantains, rice and peas, stewed chicken, and beef patties.
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: The bridesmaids received a framed photo of themselves with the bride from bachelorette weekend in the Hamptons, a jersey style tank with the years of friendship shared on the back, a personalized hanger, and a champagne flute. The groomsmen received personalized drinking glasses and a silver tie bar for wedding day.
Favorite item on the menu: Salmon Mandarin w/ fried rice
First dance song: “Say you won’t let go” by James Arthur
What is your best memory from your wedding?
The best memory is our first dance. Hand in hand, singing to each other, joking and smiling from ear to ear as husband and wife. It was such a magical moment and one that we’ll never forget.
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
I would advise any engaged couple to either do a first look, or ensure that your ceremony and reception are in two different locations so that there is a good amount of time between them. The day truly does go by so quickly so being fully present in every moment I feel like is the greatest advice I could give. I was so set on our eyes meeting for the first time as I was walking down the aisle, but if I had the opportunity to do it over, I surely would! Of course pictures are your memories and they SUPER important, but being able to take FULL part in the action is a onetime experience as well. While I was completely against it at first, a private moment for your first look could be just as breathtaking and special. Consider it!
Vendors:
Wedding dress designer: Eve of Milady
Wedding dress salon: L&H Bridal
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lulu’s Fashion Lounge
Hair: Install & Extensions by Vogue Hair Mixy Studio
Bride’s Hair Styling: Tiki Brown of Style Studio
Makeup: Sheena Bloomfield
Shoes: Badgley Mischka
Ceremony & Reception Location: The Merion Caterers – Palazzo ballroom
Photography: Sheronda Seawright Photography
Photo Booth: Instaglamour
Videography: The Artist Group
Wedding Planner: Elegant events
Florist and Event Designer: Event Loft
Cake: Isgros Bakery
Stationery: Magnet Street
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