Tashanna and David’s elegant waterfront wedding was a five-part celebration planned by wedding designers Bliss and a Kiss and featured a beautiful indoor + outdoor venue by Lake Mary.
The summer event had guests enjoying the lakeside nuptials with family traditions, elegant decor, and a stunning bridal gown by Justin Alexander. David and Tashanna’s love story was definitely a meet cute. Before the couple even said their “I Do’s,” amazingly they both found themselves in Orlando at the same moment and it was no time before David took a chance and asked Tashanna for her number.
To learn more about their proposal story and for more on their waterfront wedding, be sure to scroll down through the gallery below!
- Couple: Tashanna Hammond & David Smith Jr.
- Occupations: Attorney & Department of Veterans Affairs Employee
- Wedding date: May 19, 2022
- Wedding location: Lake Mary, Florida
Quickfacts
- Bridesmaid gifts: Navy blue robes, white fuzzy slippers embroidered with their names, gold compact mirrors with their names, diamond pens, and face masks to match their wedding dresses.
- Groomsmen gifts: Cigars, mini-Bourbon flasks with their names, and face masks to match their suits.
- Gifts for one another: Our honeymoon was our gift to ourselves!
- Ceremony entrance song: This is why I love you by Major
- First dance song: Best part by H.E.R
How we met…
We met casually in downtown Orlando while hanging out with our prospective friends. David approached me and asked for my number. I was busy with law school at the time (6 years ago) so I was not looking for a relationship but figured he could be a phone buddy from time to time. When he called later down the line, I discovered he lived in Texas and was actually in Florida on business when he decided to check out our downtown area. As time passed, we spoke more frequently and began to take trips to see each other regularly until we were in a full-blown relationship! He proposed four years later!
Our proposal story…
Throughout our relationship we both enjoyed spending time together hiking, going to wineries, and on nature walks, you know, just trying new things. David previously asked me if I would ever be interested in horseback riding. He grew up around animals on a farm in Oklahoma as a child before moving to Texas. I said sure that would be cool. He indicated that we would make plans for us to go horseback riding someday.
Fast forward a year later the subject of horseback riding came up again. David told me he found a nice ranch and would be taking me riding on the weekend. When the weekend came he told me to throw on some comfortable boots and clothes I didn’t care about getting dirty. I got dressed and realized he was dressed in light colored jeans and full white (sneakers and shirt, etc.). It was definitely fishy but I didn’t think anything of it.
We arrived at this ranch in Geneva, Florida and the place looked deserted! I mean no one in sight! Not an employee or other riders. I watched the horses grazing while he went to “find an employee ” to assist us. The employee came, taught us the basics, and we went on a beautiful ride around the ranch which had trails through the wood and nearby lake.
As we rode it started thundering so we headed back to the stables where the employee told us to slice apples and feed them to the horses. David ran out of apples and asked me to go slice some more (which I did). As I turned around to hand David the apples, he was down on one knee with the most beautiful yellow gold diamond ring and the employee was recording the entire thing! Come to find out, David reserved the entire ranch for us so we could have it all to ourselves as he knew he was going to pop the question!
Wedding style…
Our theme for our waterfront wedding was ivory, navy blue, and gold. I wore a beautiful designer dress by Justin Alexander which was the perfect mix of elegant and sexy! It has a low V-neckline, sheer panels covered in lace detailing on the bodice, along with a chapel train. I added a tulle over-skirt for more formality and extra body during the ceremony which was removed for the reception.
David wore a navy-blue suit with a matching vest and blazer with black accents and a black bow tie. I found my dress at the very first store I visited. When I originally tried it on, I did not have a feeling that it was the one. But when the associate “dressed it up” by adding the headpiece and overskirt, I fell in love!
Celebrating our culture…
My family is Jamaican. Our officiant was Jamaican and conducted the ceremony as such, leading with prayer and scriptures that honed in on Caribbean traditions. We ended the ceremony by performing the sand ritual. During our reception we played several Jamaican musical selections.
The ceremony…
Making memories…
My best memory is walking down the aisle with both my parents, my mother on my left and my father on my right. My father is Jamaican and still resides there, so I was very happy he was able to make it to my wedding. Because of my father’s geographical location, my mother has played the role of lead parent, sometimes single parent. I would not be the woman I am today without my mother’s sacrifices and hard work to raise me. I wanted both of them to take part in giving me away.
Before “I Do”…
It is never too early to start planning! Planning early prevents stress and allows you to actually enjoy the planning process, to soak it all in. When the planning is done, relax and enjoy your special day. There is no such thing as perfection! Something will be out of place, someone will miss rehearsal or show up late, guests and wedding party members will drop out at the last minute. It doesn’t matter! Do not let anyone or anything prevent you from enjoying this special moment together!
Looking for even more gorgeous waterfront wedding inspiration?
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Vendors
- Photographer: Epiphany Image Photography
- Videographer: Reality Weddings
- Venue: Lake Mary Events Center
- Planner| Florals| Wedding Cake: Bliss and a Kiss
- Hair: Natural tresses
- Bridal bouquet: Flowers by Lesley Tweed
- Bridal Gown: Justin Alexander
- Bridesmaids Dresses: Revelry
- Groom’s suits: Men’s Warehouse
- Catering: Puff N Stuff
- DJ : Accent Entertainment
- Pastor : Dr. Dolphy Cross
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