Rayesha & Donoven :: 8/30/2020 :: Micro Wedding in LA

Back in May, we partnered with an amazing team of vendors to create mini wedding for a couple whose plans had been ruined by the pandemic. After receiving 20 entries and going through each one carefully, Rayesha and Donoven were our lucky winners! Here are Rayesha's words from our entry form process describing their relationship and the way that 2020 has impacted them:

"Donoven and I met 12 almost 13 years ago in July at my cousins baby shower. We didn't start dating until 7 years ago 8/30/20 will be our 7year anniversary. We have an adventurous relationship, skydiving, hiking, camping, we love to try new foods cooking or dining out and spend a lot of time with our families. Donoven wanted to do a big proposal with all the bells and whistles, but listened to my not so subtle hints about having my family there. He and my futurw stepdaughter Lola (12yrs) designed my ring together and I cant believe she kept it a secret for so long. On my 30th birthday (6/23/18) in Carlsbad, Ca during my big beach bash he shocked me proposing in front of everyone I had no idea. Im so excited to marry my bestfriend,but im more excited to officially become Rommy (thats the name Lola gave me) and solidify what has already been established in love in our home. There is never a dull moment with the two of them and I look forward to having many more years creating adventures! On April 29th,2020, I (bride) lost my grandmother unexpected to COVID. She had Alzheimers, but was otherwise healthy and living in an assisted living home with no contact to the outside world. We visited at her window during that 1st month and from the day we found out she had the virus 24 hours later she was gone. We buried her on May 11,2020 and that day her brother also passed from COVID across the country in Boston where only 60days before his son also died from the virus. We postponed our big wedding as our family is large (originally 200 guests)and we don't want to risk having another get sick. Our family has been devastated by COVID and with all that's been taken from us I would like to give my father the honor of walking me down the aisle in the wake of losing his mother, the matriarch and glue of our family."

Their story struck a chord in the vendor team and we decided that they had to be our winners!

For their big day, only the vendors, the couple's daughter and their parents were in attendance. The intimacy of the guest list did not take away from the excitement and joy normally felt on wedding days and it was beautiful to be able to celebrate love again! We started out our day capturing some details and then some individual portraits of the bride and groom with Lola. Next, the bride shared an emotional first look with her dad and then it was time to walk down the aisle! This sweet family decided to save the ring exchange for their larger wedding celebration next year, so they decided to exchange necklaces instead- with their newly unified last name cut out of glittering gold. After they were officially Mr. and Mrs. the newlyweds returned to cut the cake, toast to their big day and then pose for some more photos around the incredible Naked Eye Studio space. After our day with them was over the wedding group headed out to dinner to celebrate. It was such an honor to document this amazing day and we wish the Johnson family all the love in the world!


Vendor Team


Venue: Naked Eye Studio Rental

Planning, Decor and Arch Design: True Splendor Events

Photo: Peterson Design & Photography

Video: The Siren & Co.

Personal Florals: Flowers by Lady Buggs

Officiant: Cindy Modesto

Cake: Nicole Bakes Cakes

Hair and Makeup: Makeup by Yesenia Torres 

Signage & Calligraphy: Calligraphy by Michelle T

Furniture: Lounge Appeal


Click any image to launch a larger viewing window.

Enjoy!


Video Teaser by The Siren & Co.



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