The holidays may be behind us, but for Dawntavia and Fernando, the magic of the holiday season warms their hearts year-round and makes them recall their adorable meet cute.
The couple, who first sparked a conversation at a corporate holiday party in 2019, have been inseparable ever since.
Dawntavia recalls, “I had on a red jumpsuit rocking my natural hair in an afro, and he had on a leather jacket and a fedora hat looking so good. We started with zodiac signs, he’s an Aries and I’m a Pisces. Sparks! From there we danced to step in the name of love and have been together ever since.”
Fast forward to December 2021, Fernando surprised Dawntavia with an intimate Christmas Eve proposal surrounded by friends and family! The pair officially said “I do” on Sunday, May 28th, 2023, at the Cruz building in Miami Florida.
To blend the groom’s Philadelphia background and the bride’s Miami roots, along with their families Puerto Rican, Southern, and Caribbean backgrounds, they booked Muna Coterie member, Melisa Brown of Lux Lifestyle Event LLC, to plan and design a luxurious and elegant wedding for them at the Cruz Building.
The venue, which resembles a French row house with natural keystone and cobblestone floors, was the perfect location for their multicultural wedding. A surprise performance by R&B singer, CASE, was the icing on top of their special day!
Check out more sweet wedding day details (captured by Imagery by Jules) below.
- Couple: Dawntavia Bullard-Marrero & Fernando Marrero
- Occupations: Actor & Actress
- Wedding date: May 28, 2023
- Wedding location: Miami Florida
Quick Facts:
- What gifts did you give to your bridesmaids and groomsmen: The bridesmaids all received a Gift Box full of goodies. Bride Tribe slippers, Tote Bag, candles, hair ties, and a robe. The Groomsmen received cigars and whiskey.
- Gifts for one another: The Bride gifted the groom a custom painting of his grandparents and us. The Groom gifted the Bride the Honeymoon of her dreams.
- Ceremony entrance song: “The One He Kept For Me” by Maurette Brown Clark Music
- First dance song: “Happily Ever After” by Case. Case performed at our wedding as we danced for the first time as husband and wife.
The bride-to-be…
The groom…
Tell us about the proposal:
It was Christmas Eve and we were entertaining family and friends at our home. After dinner, we all sat around drinking wine and preparing to toast to the New Year. Fernando walked over to me, gave a toast to us, and began to get on one knee to ask me to marry him. Surrounded by our loved ones I said yes!
Wedding Style:
My wedding dress was from the “For Love Bridal” Boutique and I wanted a timeless dress. No sequence. No lace. I wanted timeless, elegant, and sexy. A dress that would transcend any fashion trends now or forever. Classic. Simple but Sexy.
Their first look…
What was the wedding shopping experience like for you?
I went Wedding Dress shopping at a boutique in Los Angeles, CA. The first dress I tried on was THE dress. I did try on several others but the first one was THEE one. My shopping experience was sweet. I tend to go with my gut more often than not and it has served me well in life. Fernando also went to one place for his suit. His best friend Johnse Allende Jr, the Best Man, was with him. Together they selected his suit.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
Yes! Fernando is from Philadelphia and I’m from Miami Florida. Our families are from Puerto Rico, The South, and the Caribbean. Our Wedding Planner, DJ, and Chef are all from the Caribbean so they made sure we represented our culture through decor, food, and music.
The ceremony…
Jumping the broom…
What is your best memory from your wedding?
My best memory of the Wedding is saying my wedding vows to my husband. Fernando and I both loved seeing our family & friends from near and far. My Matron of Honor traveled 17 hours from South Africa to attend the wedding. The best part was when music artist Case came out to serenade us for our first dance as husband and wife.
The sweet details…
A red carpet reception entrance…
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
We encourage couples to plan ahead and hire the best of the best wedding planners. Our day went off so smoothly, all the bells & whistles with little to no stress to us on the day. Our Planner Melissa Brown at Lux Events and her team executed exactly what we envisioned. In fact, she enhanced our vision. Our advice is to hire the right wedding planner from the very beginning.
Special performance by CASE!
And they lived happily ever after…
Looking for more love stories?
Click here for more real-life meet cute romance!
Vendors:
- Bride: Dawntavia Marrero
- Groom: Fernando Marrero
- Planning |Design: Lux Lifestyle Event LLC
- Artist Booking: The Lux Experience LLC
- Photographer: Imagery by Jules
- Videographer: Bridges Cinema
- Bride Mua: MakeupbyBibi LLC
- Bride Hair: Marquetta B of Camera Ready Hair
- Wedding Gown: For Love Bridal
- Groom Hair: Marquetta B of Camera Ready Hair
- Floral: Artistic Creations by AC
- Catering: Semaj’s One Way Catering
- Production: MPE Event Group
- Design Assistant: Just By Designs
- Lux BTS Creator: CoolGuy Media
- Special performance: Case
- Cake: LUX CAKERY
- Dancing on Clouds|Sparklers: 5ive Star Entertainment & Services
- DJ/Host: DJ Mike Cooley
- Venue: The Cruz Building
- Rentals: Imperial Event Rentals
- Ceremony Stage CJ Party Rentals
- Bridesmaids MUA: Artistry X Beauty
- Lounge rentals: Cubanacan Party Rentals
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