Erica and Kamal’s multi-event destination wedding in the Turks and Caicos Islands featured breathtaking ocean views, beachy wedding attire, and dazzling waterfront fireworks!
Erica and Kamal first became acquainted as undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania, when Erica was a freshman and Kamal was a senior. They wouldn’t date until four years later when mutual friends reconnected them.
Kamal threw Erica for a loop by proposing when she least expected it. He planned a date night at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, which made Erica suspicious because although she loves art museums, it is not one of Kamal’s interests. Wanting the proposal to be an absolute surprise, Kamal didn’t want to propose during a moment when Erica might expect it so he decided to pop the question before they left their apartment to go to the museum.
Kamal joked that Erica needed to change her outfit for their date night… trying to distract her while he was trying to secretly get the ring. Finally, with Erica’s back turned, he said he had something to complete her outfit. As Erica turned around Kamal was on one knee with a ring in his hand…
Erica and Kamal’s destination wedding took place at the Wymara Resort and Villas in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos. During the days leading up to their ceremony and reception, they celebrated their soon-to-be union with loved ones, enjoying island life with parties and delicious food.
The destination wedding weekend first began with guests joining them at the weekly island fish fry. The following afternoon, Erica and Kamal held a pool and ocean party at one of the venue’s oceanfront villas. Later that night, they held a welcome party and beach BBQ dinner with live music and a DJ to set the mood. Surrounded by crystal blue waters, their wedding ceremony was held at the private Sunset Cove Beach. Their tented reception was decorated with blush-colored roses, gold accents, and a delicate chandelier.
See the breathtaking details of Erica and Kamal’s destination wedding (captured by Coterie Member Stanlo Photography) below!
- Couple: Erica & Kamal
- Occupations: Attorneys
- Wedding date: June 22, 2024
- Destination Wedding location: Wymara Resort and Villas in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos
Quick Facts:
- Gifts for bridesmaids: Bridesmaids received custom engraved bottles of Good Girl perfume by Carolina Herrera, engraved with their names.
- Ceremony entrance song: Kamal – “Cause I Love You” by Lenny Williams, Erica – “Die With You” by Beyoncé
- First dance song: “Come & Talk to Me” by Jodeci
How did you meet?
They were both undergraduates at the University of Pennsylvania and first met when Kamal was a senior and Erica was a freshman but they did not date. They met again through mutual friends about four years later and started dating when Erica was just entering law school at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. Kamal had recently graduated from Howard University School of Law and was a junior attorney in New York City.
Kamal and Erica took their first vacation together to Turks and Caicos ten years ago and have been traveling to the island nearly every year since, so it holds a special place in their story.
Tell us about the proposal.
Kamal set up a date night at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Erica loves museums but it’s not Kamal’s favorite so she knew something was up when he picked a museum. Kamal didn’t want to do the expected and propose at the museum (and Erica would have not liked the attention of a crowd), so to surprise her, he proposed at home (in their apartment in New York) just before leaving for the museum.
Kamal joked that Erica needed to change her outfit for their date night, making small comments that he liked one shirt or earring over another (which was not normal), trying to distract her while he was trying to secretly get the ring. Finally, with Erica’s back turned, he said he had something to complete her outfit. As Erica turned around Kamal was on one knee with a ring in his hand, and asked her to marry him.
Wedding Style:
Erica: The major wedding attire theme was beachy and simple. I saw a dress I liked on Pinterest, with light lace and an open back. It looked light, airy, and beachy and was by designer Dana Harel. That dress was available at Mark Ingram’s bridal shop days after I saw it for a limited New York trunk show, just blocks from my house. I thought it could be a sign.
Because of the limited trunk show, which was leaving within a week, I went to the next available appointment in a bit of a rush to see it. I went with my two bridesmaids. It was my first dress appointment, I had not tried on a single bridal gown before then or stepped foot into a bridal boutique. I remember thinking this would be one appointment of many, but once I put the dress on I started to cry. I could not believe that the first dress I tried on was it, I was sold.
Kamal: I worked closely with a haberdasher who had an excellent portfolio of dressing big guys like me, so I trusted his guidance. Over several weeks he visited New York for private appointments where I tried out several fabrics and had several fittings, working with him to put together the best designs and colors for each of my wedding weekend suits. It was a lot of fun. We wanted fabrics suited for the Turks and Caicos weather but also a perfect fit that would stand out and of course custom lapels with my initials; the haberdasher’s (Brian Alexander Lunsford of Brian Alexander Bespoke) signature design.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
The bride is from Annapolis, Maryland, and comes from black families who have lived in Maryland since before the Civil War. The groom grew up in Tampa, Florida, and was born to parents from Antigua and Grenada.
Erica and Kamal shared, “We talked a lot about what to incorporate into the wedding and decided to jump the broom, a Black American and West Indian tradition that touches on the cultures that we both come from. Because of our love for Turks and Caicos and the local Junkanoo band, we also incorporated them into the reception. We also tried to have food from our families throughout the weekend.”
What is the best memory from your wedding?
This was really hard, but the welcome party was incredible. Walking out onto the beach the night before the wedding with all of our guests waiting and getting to see them all together for the first time was moving because it really hit us that all of these people flew across the world to be here for us. But on the wedding day, when we exchanged vows, that was the moment that stuck with us both the most.
What wedding planning advice can you give to engaged couples?
Hire good vendors, keep it simple, and do what you want.
The beautiful scenery was truly a highlight of the weekend, but the wedding reception highlight was the live Junkanoo band and fireworks on the water.
Looking for more destination wedding inspiration?
Click here!
Vendors:
- Wedding Coordinator: Adriana Weddings
- Photographer: Stanlo Photography
- Makeup: Joslyn Spurlock
- Hair: Asha Sophie Beauty
- Suiting: Brian Alexander Bespoke
- Wedding Dress Atelier: Mark Ingram Bridal Shop New York City
- Venue & Food: Wymara Resort + Villas
- Videography: Morgan Scott Films
- Flowers: Flowers By EA
- Cake: Cakes to Di for
- Decor & Rentals: Got U Covered Ltd.
Leave a Reply