"Meant to be" - Marjorie and Sam's Classic Church Wedding in New York -Munaluchi Bride

When high school sweethearts Marjorie and Sam reconnected at their reunion twenty years later, they picked up right where they left off, “it was like we never left each other,” Marjorie reflects. That time apart, through college, and the many ups and downs of life they would find had no effect on their feelings for each other; they “both knew that it was meant to be.”

Read all about Marjorie & Sam’s love story and experiences in their classic church wedding and gorgeous country club reception – featuring event planning, design, decor, florals & stationery by MunaLuchi Coterie member Erganic Design. See the entire vendor list below, and the complete selected image gallery here.

Bride & Groom: Marjorie & Sam
Occupations: Chief Counsel; PepsiCo Inc. & Social Work Case Manager in Westchester County NY/ SVP.
Ceremony venue: Scarborough Presbyterian
Reception venue: Sleep Hollow Country Club

Tell us how you met. Sam and I actually met in High School in 1987. We were high school sweethearts and even went to our senior prom together. Sam went to college at Montana State and I at the University of Pennsylvania. After a few years we lost touch. Incredibly we met up again at our 20th high school reunion. By then Sam was divorced living in Cincinnati and I was already working as in-house counsel at PepsiCo. We clicked and reconnected right away. It was like we never left each other. We were inseparable after that and eventually Sam made his way back to NY. We both knew that it was meant to be.

What was wedding shopping like for you? My dress was a beautiful Lazaro creation that reflected not only our wedding theme of reaching back to the old but in a fun, romantic and elegant way to move us into the future. Wedding shopping was a bit bittersweet for me as Mom had passed away a few years earlier. I always imagined she would be with me. That said, I know she would’ve absolutely loved the dress. So many of her close friends that were at our wedding told me as much which warmed my heart.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? Culture was very important for us as I am first generation from the Dominican Republic and Sam is African-American. At our ceremony we “jumped the broom” which is the traditional way slaves would commemorate jumping into their new life as husband and wife. All of our guests enjoyed the merengue band at the reception. It definitely made for an incredibly “lively” reception.

Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: Each of my bridesmaids received beautiful pendant necklaces fitting each of their personalities. The groomsmen received fashionable gifts, each unique to their personalities.
Favorite item on the menu: The braised duck was to die for. I only remember how it tasted the day of our tasting because I don’t remember it the day of the wedding!
First dance song: Anthony Hamilton’s “Giving you the Best of Me.”

What is your best memory from your wedding? There are so many that its hard to say. But if I had to pick just one it was our “first-look” moment when I walked down the steps to meet Sam. Sam is a warm-hearted big teddy bear and on our wedding day he didn’t disappoint. We were overwhelmed with emotion seeing each other thinking that here we were after so many years knowing it was our destiny to be a family.
Also, in keeping with our high school years, Sam and I had the Hip Hop group Brand Nubian give a surprise performance at our after party. It was incredible!

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Enjoy the moment because it flies by so fast. Make sure you have an amazing photographer and if possible a videographer. You will cherish it later.