Warigia and William tied the knot at their warm tropical summer wedding in Richmond, Virginia!
Warigia and William first met during their freshman seminar in college. They remained good friends for three years before they began dating.
William bought Warigia’s engagement ring months before popping the question and waited for the perfect moment to propose. When their travel plans were canceled due to COVID-19, William decided to take Warigia to Richmond and asked his close friend to pick the ring up. He proposed to Warigia while they were walking around Libby Hill Park.
William originally planned for his best man to take photos, but he was so caught up in the moment that he ended up celebrating instead of getting pictures.
Warigia (The Bride)
Their warm tropical wedding featured colorful tropical blooms, floral chandeliers, and elegant gold accents. To honor Warigia’s Kenyan culture, William surprised her with mugumo trees, which are sacred in Kenya.
Learn more about their love story and see the lush tropical details below!
- Couple: Warigia & William
- Occupations: Marketing and Advertising Account Director | MFM Practice Manager
- Wedding date: August 26, 2023
- Wedding location: Holy Rosary Catholic Church and Common House Richmond
Quick Facts:
- Gifts for bridesmaids and groomsmen: Hot Wheels cars for the groomsmen because William is a huge car enthusiast. The bridesmaids were given a gift box with slippers, a pajama set, a Fenty beauty kit, and a personal letter.
- Ceremony entrance song: The Prayer
- First dance song: “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green
How did you meet?
We met during freshman orientation at Virginia Tech in 2011. We were good friends and classmates for three years before dating.
Tell us about the proposal.
William proposed in Richmond at Libby Hill Park. We were supposed to be traveling to North Carolina for a friend’s birthday, but plans were canceled due to a COVID-19 exposure scare. William purchased the ring months before and was waiting for the perfect time. He called a long-time friend, who was traveling from northern Virginia where we live, and had him pick up the ring from their home and bring it to Richmond. William originally planned for his best man to take photos, but he was so caught up in the moment that he ended up celebrating instead of getting pictures.
Wedding Style:
Our wedding style was warm, intimate, sentimental, and fun. I fell in love with my dress. It had soft floral details and the train had just enough drama. William had a custom navy blue suit with special hidden details all over.
What was the wedding shopping experience like for you?
Confusing! It was easy to get caught up in all the options, but we worked with some great people who helped point us in the right direction.
Culture:
Warigia is Kenyan and there are so many traditions to include in the wedding. Her mother and aunts sang as she left the hotel for the church and more during the ceremony. As a gift, William surprised her with three Mugumo trees, which are sacred in Kenya.
It was a beautiful gesture, to include a bit of home while we begin to plant our own roots here.
Warigia (The bride)
What is your best memory from your wedding?
We can’t pick one. The mugumo tree was an amazing surprise. Taking communion together for the first time as husband and wife was so spiritually fulfilling.
The robe Warigia got ready in was a new heirloom made from the skirt of William’s mother’s wedding dress, which made them both emotional. Warigia got to surprise her parents with their first dance.
At one point we got to have a toast, after the ceremony, alone, I think that’s when it really hit us, and we were so so happy. That actually might have been the best.
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
Focus on what will make you happy on your day and don’t forget to take care of yourselves. It will move all too fast, so take some time to take it all in.
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Vendors
- Bakery: Arley Cakes
- Equipment Rentals: Rent E-Quip
- Floral Designer: Field Floral
- Event Venue: Common House Richmond
- Floral Designer (Ceremony & Tabletop Florals): Weddings by Vogue
- Event Planner / Design: The Hive Wedding Collective
- Photographer: Danielle Canady Photography
- MUA: Society 11:11
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