Charming Vintage Delaware Wedding

Sharon, a realtor, and Chris Hamilton, VP of Global Technology at JP Morgan Chase had a beautiful summer wedding at an old, brick laid governor’s mansion, surrounded by antiques in a beautiful side garden, moving to a rustic pole barn for the reception. Wearing a trifunctional vintage couture gown, accessorized with symbolic pearls and a beautiful locket photo of her mother on the bouquet, Sharon was beyond ecstatic to walk down the aisle and meet her groom with her loved ones by her side. Planned by Tiffany Chalk Events, this gorgeous wedding is featured in the Spring/Summer 2015 issue which is on newsstands now.

Wedding Date: August 16, 2014
Wedding Location: Buena Vista Conference Center
First Dance Song: “Love That Girl” Raphael Saadiq
Favorite Item on the Menu: The Cinnabon inspired cake from A Piece of Cake Bakery
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen Gifts: The groomsmen received a pocket watch and the bridesmaids received Kimono robes.

Tell us about how you met and all about the proposal!

We’re one of those couples that have known each other for years but exchanged not much more than a few pleasantries. Fast forward about seven years. I (Christopher) was looking to purchase a house and knew of a good realtor right in my home church. I pulled Sharon aside after a small group study and expressed my interest in purchasing a home. We quickly set up a consultation, followed by a few home showings. I don’t know about Sharon, but I was starting to check for more than a house. We both unknowingly started out with unspoken mutual mindsets to keep our relationship professional. That didn’t last too long.

After each session for house showings, we had conversations about anything and everything – books, politics, religion, life, how much Sharon wanted sushi, and we both noticed that these conversations had an extra spark to them. Roll forward to a conversation at a holiday party that lasted four extra hours past midnight. I decided to hang because of Sharon.

The next day, I asked one of the most important questions I’ve ever asked in my life, “Do you still have that sushi pang?” Sharon gave one of the most important answers she’s ever given in her life, “Yes, what time were you thinking?” Luckily, I said the early evening as later, I found out that she would have said no if it was any sooner.

The proposal took place on the morning of Christmas Eve. Christopher spent the day at Sharon’s sister’s house, helping everyone get ready for the holidays, while Sharon was at work. Christopher had planned to propose at his house while the two were alone, exchanging gifts. Sharon had other plans to visit her aunt right after work. Thus, Christopher had to figure out how to get her over to his house without causing any suspicion by the sudden change in plans. Surprisingly, he had no trouble convincing her that he wanted to exchange gifts with just the two of them, for their first Christmas together. While Sharon took a quick nap, Christopher carefully placed the ring box in the tree and set up the TV to show a proposal video arranged just for the occasion. When Sharon awoke, the two exchanged gifts before Christopher began to play the video, a collage of photos spanning their relationship, leading up to the big question, “Will you marry me?”

Memories

Choosing one memory out of a perfect day is difficult but we would say our best memory was the exchanging of the personal hand-written vows and the amount of emotion and passion that was expressed during that part of the ceremony. It truly felt like, at that moment, we were the only two in the garden

Help a bride-to-be out!

Savor every moment of the day. We were told that the day is a blur, which it can be, but we purposed to savor every minute of the day and feel like we remember every detail of our wedding. Also, let the highs of the day outweigh any low because getting stuck on things that may not go as planned can take away from the high points. Most of the time, people won’t even notice any of the details that didn’t go as planned. Most of all, have fun. This is the day you get to marry your best friend. Have a blast!

Vendors

Photography: Ashley Gerrity Photography
Videography: Caleb Lee, East West Productions
Wedding Planner: Tiffany Chalk Events
Venue: Buena Vista Conference Center
Wedding Dress Designer: Tara Keely
Bridal Salon: Jennifer’s Bridal
Make-up: Nakeia Homer
Hair: Leon Hutcherson, Platinum Shears
Catering: Gary James, Catered Events by Semaj
Cake: Sheryl Hynson, A Piece of Cake Bakery
Stationery: Invitations by Dawn
DJ: Dj Timdogg Entertainment