Shaniquia and Rashaad’s summer vows at Morais Vineyards in Bealton, Virginia, featured a beautiful Portuguese-style vineyard with fountains and lush greenery.
The couple, who first met on the campus of Virginia Union University, initially connected over a work project.
Shaniquia shares, “We decided to explore the option of dating each other. And just like our personalities, our first date was very informal and laid back.”
The two discussed their backgrounds, goals, college experience, degrees, and past relationships all over Shaniquia’s favorite food: Mexican. Their first date sparked romance and soon they were inseparable.
For the next seven years, they grew in life and love together. When the timing was right, Rashaad surprised Shaniquia by proposing on the beach during a romantic getaway to Cancun, Mexico! She said yes and they began planning their dream wedding.
Working with Soncerai Brown of Love Always Wedding Planning, the couple mapped out their nuptials in just over one year. They set their sights on the classic Portuguese-style Morais Vineyards in Bealton, Virginia for their wedding venue which provided a gorgeous backdrop for a summer afternoon ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception.
On July 2nd, 2023, they exchanged vows surrounded by friends and family. Wedding highlights included a rich and romantic color palette of olive green, gold, and ivory, a cocktail hour cigar rolling station, and a party bus!
Planner Soncerai Brown reveals, “We loved planning and executing a wedding with so many extraordinary guest experiences.”
Keep scrolling below for more details on Shaniquia and Rashaad’s love story.
- Couple: Shaniquia Epps & Rashaad Harris
- Occupations: healthcare professional (Bride), coach & educator (Groom)
- Wedding date: July 2, 2023
- Wedding location: Morais Vineyards, Bealton, VA
Quick Facts:
- Bridesmaids Gifts: Robes, personalized baskets, fans, and earrings.
- Groomsmen Gifts: Sunglasses, personalized sweat rags, and tiny alcohol bottles.
- Wedding Party Gifts: A yacht party through the Pacific Ocean passing Lovers Beach and the Arch of Cabo San Lucas.
- Ceremony entrance song: “Nervous” by John Legend
- First dance song: “Forever” by Jason Nelson
On the morning of the wedding day, Shaniquia and her bridesmaids enjoyed breakfast and mimosas in the private Cottage Wedding suite onsite. The Cottage Wedding Suite is saturated with natural sunlight, multiple vanity seating with LED lighted mirrors, a beautiful armoire, lounge furniture, a stunning fireplace, an outside terrace, and a French garden. This space provided an elegant and relaxing oasis for our bride and her best girls.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
The proposal:
Rashaad and I dated for seven years. While vacationing in Cancun Mexico, I was extremely tired from sightseeing that morning, so I canceled our dinner reservations not knowing at dinner Rashaad would be proposing. We decided to just have dinner at the resort.
After dinner, Rashaad asked me to take a walk on the beach. As I walked closer to the beach, I quickly stopped as there was a tremendous amount of seaweed washed up on the shore. Due to the amount of seaweed, I pulled out my phone and began recording. While I was recording, there was a moment I could no longer hear Rashaad behind me.
Immediately, I stopped recording as I thought he walked away. I quickly turned around and there he was on one knee. I was in shock and said “Oh no what are you doing down there” and we have been happy ever since.
Rashad and his groomsmen kicked back in The Venue Wedding Suite. This space is equipped with a full bathroom, spacious lounge area, candle-lit bar, and wine cooler. The Groom and his guys enjoyed the seclusion of this space as they prepared for the festivities of the day ahead.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
The squad…
Guests arrived at Morais Vineyards on this scorching hot day, greeted by venue staff serving lemonade and water. We took care to make sure all guests were comfortable by providing hand-held fans and tissues for happy tears.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
The magnificent sounds of Dr. Violin echoed through the vineyard for all to enjoy during the prelude and ceremony. Shaniquia and Rashaad dedicated their lives to one another just beneath an impressive pergola overlooking the vineyard’s pond.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
Favorite wedding day memory…
My best memory was coming down the aisle and seeing my husband for the first time but also seeing our family and friends who had traveled from miles away to share this special moment with us.
Wedding attire:
My dress was simple but classy. It was a spaghetti-strap mermaid dress with a double veil. Rashaad wore a custom olive green suit with gold buttons.
Immediately following the ceremony, friends and family were ushered to the main building for cocktail hour where they could sit on the patio and watch the sunset over the vineyards while enjoying a live violinist, cool off in the Wine Tasting Room, and take a spin on Curated by Phoenix’s 360 Photo Booth, or enjoy a glass of bourbon while savoring a hand-rolled cigar from The Mobile Cigar Lounge.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
Mr. & Mrs…
A first stroll as husband and wife…
The color palette was rich, romantic, and sophisticated. We opted for olive green, gold, and ivory. The final design was a perfect mixture of the bride and groom’s Pinterest inspiration, our detailed finishings, and the florist’s flawless floral execution.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
To find their seat, attendees found their names and table numbers printed on a glass of wine by KK&S Designs. This wine wall was placed in the grand foyer surrounded by cream marble floors.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
Guests were seated at a mixture of gold and ivory tables paired with gold starburst placemats, gold beaded chargers, satin olive green napkins, and brushed gold flatware provided by Beyond the Decor by LaToya. And Beyond the Decor dressed the tables in alternating, trumpet vase floral centerpieces, bud vases, and gold mirror boxes.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
Shaniquia and Rashaad sat slightly elevated above their guests, on the stage anchored by columns elaborately painted with Portuguese tiles, surrounded by Palladian-style windows, and six champagne-leaf grand chandeliers.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
For those with a sweet tooth, there was a donut wall filled with olive green and gold donuts, a treat cart full of the couple’s favorite things, and a three-tier vanilla bean and red velvet cake baked by The Sweet Stop. The cake also featured a cascade of fresh blush roses.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
Guests danced the night away to the sounds of DJ Rayvon, and ended the evening on the vineyard patio, lighting up the night sky with LED light sticks for The Harris’ send-off Shaniqua and Rashaad enjoyed one final dance in private. Once they headed outside, their friends and family cheered them on as they exited the ballroom and onto their party bus.
– Soncerai Brown | Love Always Wedding Planning
Advice from the couple:
The best advice is to hire professionals!!! They know exactly how to make your vision come true.
Looking for more wedding inspiration like these summer vows?
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Vendors:
- Wedding Planner & Coordinator: Love Always Wedding Planning
- Designer/Luxury Furniture Rentals/Uplights/Linens: Beyond the Decor by LaToya
- Venue: Morais Vineyards
- Floral Designer: Onieé’s Engagements
- Photographer & Videographer: Judah Avenue
- Caterer: Taste of Elegance Catering
- DJ: DJ Rayvon
- Cake Baker/Donut Wall: The Sweet Stop
- Bride’s Makeup Artist: Raw Skyn Beauty
- Bridesmaid’s Makeup Artist: Khilia Chantal
- Hair Stylist: Wendy Cousins, Salon 2000
- 360 Photo Booth/Grass Wall/Neon Sign: Curated by Phoenix
- Violinist: Dr. Violin
- Champagne Wall/Market Cart: Vintage is for Lovers
- Stationery: Alexandrio Lindo
- Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Denzel Honore Bespoke
- Bride’s Attire – shop: Tiffany’s Bridal
- Bride’s Gown Designer: Christina Wu
- Bridesmaid Attire: Tiffany’s Bridal
- Ice Sculpture: Ice Lab
- Cigar Bar: The Mobile Cigar Lounge
- Drone Videography: R Boyd Photography
- Soloist: Ashley Felder Music
- Wine Tag Acrylics: KK&S Designs
- Transportation: Fredericksburg Limousine
We will never forget this beautiful wedding day