Regina and Corey’s Vintage Glam Wedding in Virginia

Regina and Corey’s relationship started online. From the beginning they knew they were meant to be together. Their bond is both emotional and spiritual and they credit their faith in God for bringing them together.

Read all about Regina and Corey’s relationship as well as their vintage glam inspired wedding in Virginia.

Bride & Groom: Regina and Corey
Occupations: Corey: Salon Owner & IT Security Engineer
Wedding date: March 25, 2017
Wedding location: John Marshall Ballrooms, Richmond, Virginia

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal. We met on Match.com.
(Regina) I had a dream a few days before I met him. I felt God was revealing a lot about Corey’s past and how I’d be used as a vessel to help restore a lot. (Corey)I knew I was ready but also knew God required a relationship of purity from me. I told God I couldn’t do that alone and would need someone willing to take that journey with me, happily, on our first date Regina actually brought this up!

The proposal: ( Corey) We’d planned a romantic picnic atop carter mountain consisting of Michies Tavern food with sparkling cider and apple cider donuts.nWe arrived and Michies Tavern and they wouldn’t allow us to have a to go plate without an advance order. We tried the grill on Carter mountain and they were closed due to an event the previous day. Regina was HAAANGRY. All that I could find to enjoy on our picnic was a small roll of salami and wine tasting crackers (the palate cleaning kind). While I was preparing the crackers and cheese 3 bus loads of preschoolers also arrived for apple picking and lunch creating quite the scene. I pulled out the engagement video of all our loved ones congratulating Regina and presented it to her. After she watched it, I got on one knee and asked her to Marry me.

What was wedding shopping like for you? (Regina) Dress shopping was the most difficult but not for obvious reasons. I loved every single gown I tried on. I quickly realized after visiting a third bridal shop and trying on more than 20 dresses that I wanted/needed a gown that was unique. After a long and exhausting day of fittings I decided to leave Bridal Elegance and try another store on another day; but as I was exiting the store I walked past the plus size section and a gown caught my eye. I’d found my dress!!! But it was a size 26. I asked if I could try it on and the staff looked at each other and said, “Why not??!!!” With more than 15 clips they clipped the dress to me as snug as possible and I fell in love. We ordered a size 4 dress moments later. My dress was a strapless horsehair handkerchief mermaid with a beaded lace bodice. Corey wore a navy blue Joseph Abbound tuxedo with silk trim.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? (Regina) I grew up in California, Virginia, and Louisiana but I have the most connection to my southern roots. New Orleans and the Cuisine of Louisiana bring back the fondest memories for me. I wanted my wedding to feel just as magical and southern as the wedding from the Disney movie “The Princess and the Frog” which takes place in New Orleans. We incorporated the Fleur De Lis, The Louisiana state flower (Magnolias), Beignets, and gave personalized Hot Sauce bottles as wedding favors.

Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: The bridesmaids received silk robes, foldable ballet flats in a small purse, and rose gold earrings. The groomsmen received personalized mugs, patterned socks, and cuff links

Favorite item on the menu: Beignets

First dance song: “Always and Forever” by Heatwave

What is your best memory from your wedding? Ever since I was a little girl all I could think of was my wedding day and everyone circled around me dancing. During the reception, Unbeknownst to me, my mother handed out handkerchiefs to the attendees. The DJ started playing New Orleans Second line music and my mom started a second-line dance grabbing guests from each table until the dance line spilled over onto the dance floor. Everyone crowded around me shaking their handkerchiefs and cheering me on and I danced the night away to saxophones and trumpets. It was a dream come true!

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? The best investment you can make into your wedding and ever after is Pre-Marital Counseling. The wedding is only one day but it is the start of your covenant agreement of FOREVER together. My husband and I attend 8 weeks of counseling with a local christian counseling/marriage coach. This husband and wife duo had been married for over 30 years. Aside from their own advice, they were able to offer coursework and comprehensive knowledge about what this covenant agreement means, uncovering things about each other we didn’t know and how to be pleasing to God and representative of His love for us in our marriage. This was a valuable experience. Their course helped us tremendously through wedding planning and we are still applying practices we learned from this experience, today.

Vendors:
Photographer – Amanda Beside Eric
Venue – The John Marshall Ballrooms
Coordinator – Taryn Francis, Kingdom Heart Events
Decorator- Posh Parties
Cake – Cakes to Remember
Flowers – Vogue Flowers
DJ – Black Tie Entertainment
Catering – Homemade by Suzanne
Bride’s Dress – Bridal Elegance, Allure Bridal
Bride’s Shoes – Betsey Johnson
Groom’s Attire – Men’s Warehouse
Bridesmaid Dresses – Badgley Mischka
Flower Girl’s Dress – Handmade
Hair – Trakita Brooks, K’Marie Salon
Makeup – Joye of Beauty
Hot Sauce Favors – Muscadine Moon
Vintage Car – Family Friend Gifted it to us