From a serendipitous encounter at a house party to a breathtaking proposal on the very pier where their love story first blossomed, Jazmine and Carlos’s journey is a testament to fate, devotion, and unbreakable love.
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Rooted in the charm of their shared Maryland hometown, their wedding was more than just a celebration—it was a reflection of their deep connection, their laughter-filled adventures, and the unwavering bond that has carried them through life’s twists and turns.
In this heartfelt interview, the couple opens up about the moments that defined their love, the magic of their wedding day, and the lessons they learned along the way. Get ready to be swept away by their story, and let their journey inspire your own!
How did you and your partner meet and fall in love?
It all began at a house party in the DMV in the spring of 2018, where we briefly crossed paths in person for the first time. For context, we’re both from Prince George’s County, Maryland. We had mutual friends and were already connected on social media, but that was our first real interaction face-to-face. Not too long after, Carlos sent me a Snapchat DM asking for my number. We stayed in touch until he came home during a break from college. That’s when he asked me on a date, and we ended up at Nando’s at the National Harbor, where we enjoyed great food and even better conversation. He was impressed that I was not a shy girl and did not leave a single crumb behind. We both love to eat, so it was the perfect first date. From that day forward, we kept getting to know each other, and by January 1, 2019, it was official: we were a couple. It’s funny to think that two kids from PG County, who lived less than 10 minutes apart, were always meant to find each other.
As our relationship grew, Carlos was busy being a student-athlete playing football in New Hampshire, while I was working in Maryland and planning to take my passion for dance to the next level by moving to LA during the second year of our relationship. Even though long distance came with its challenges, our love continued to grow stronger. We both enjoyed supporting each other and staying connected in every way we could. Carlos couldn’t visit often because of his schedule, but I loved flying to him, especially during football season. I took my football girlfriend title very seriously. As time went on, we knew that coming together as one was a major goal. In July 2023, while we were both visiting home, Carlos brought our story full circle by proposing on the pier at the National Harbor, the very same place where we had our first date. Now we are happily married and building our life together in Atlanta.
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How did the proposal unfold? Were there any surprises along the way?
The proposal, as I mentioned, was a full circle moment because my husband set it up at the same place we went on our first date. I thought that was so sweet and very intentional. My family was in on the surprise, and the entire day I had it in my head that we were just going to dinner to celebrate my birthday, which had passed not too long before. He proposed during cancer season, and I am a true lover girl, so the timing felt perfect. It completely caught me off guard when we started walking toward the pier and I saw him, along with everyone he had invited, standing there with roses and a banner that said “Will you marry me Jazmine?” I was shook. As I started walking down to him, I was so nervous. I definitely had butterflies, my hands were shaking, and my heart was racing, but at the same time, I was so excited. Everyone handed me a flower one by one as I walked, and it felt like a model runway moment. By the time I reached Carlos, I had a big bouquet full of beautiful pink, red, and white roses. I was surprised he pulled it off the way he did, but not surprised that it happened when it did. We had been talking about marriage more than usual earlier that year, and I think deep down I knew we were ready to enter that next chapter together!
What was the biggest challenge in planning your wedding, and how did you handle it?
One of the most challenging parts of planning was making sure that we stuck to our budget no matter what. There are so many factors that influence how much a wedding will cost, like the type of wedding you want, what elements you choose to include, the number of guests, the location, and more. We learned how important it is to weigh all of your options and not just say yes to the first vendor you hear back from. Taking the time to compare services, prices, and really understanding what each vendor offers made a big difference. We were able to overcome the stress by communicating clearly with each other and staying true to what we actually needed or wanted. Saying no to anything that did not align with our vision helped us keep things intentional and manageable.
What was the most important thing for you and your husband when planning your wedding? What did you enjoy the most about planning your wedding?
The most important thing for us was to embrace the planning process, knowing we would never experience this specific part of our lives again. We also wanted to do everything our way. It was really important to us to create a day that truly reflected who we are—our love, our journey, and our personalities. I really enjoyed keeping the planning process intimate, which helped block out a lot of the noise and opinions that we just didn’t want to let interfere. Seeing all of our ideas and thoughts come together was such a rewarding experience. I’m also grateful that we were able to have a very low-stress and fun planning process overall.
Can you describe the process of finding your wedding dress and the groom’s attire?
Finding my dress was such a smooth process! I visited three boutiques, and the dress I ended up saying yes to was from the very first boutique I visited. Although we didn’t have a bridal party, I thought it would be special to include my mom and little sisters. So, I surprised them with a wedding dress shopping day, and we had an absolute blast. The type of dress I thought I wanted originally ended up not being the vibe I was going for. The gown I chose made me feel like such a princess! I actually went with my husband to try on suits one day, but he went back without me to choose what he wanted to wear so I wouldn’t see the full look. I will say, I smiled the entire time seeing him try everything on. I just knew he was going to look so handsome on our big day.
Were there any unique elements or personal touches incorporated into your wedding ceremony?
We definitely had a good amount of unique elements and personal touches. One of the most meaningful moments was exchanging our vows privately during our first look. It was such an intimate and beautiful experience. We also surprised our core family and friends with a first look after ours, so we could capture their reactions, receive their love, and take group photos before the ceremony. It was something we’ll cherish forever. In honor of our loved ones who couldn’t be there, we reserved memorial chairs in the front row for our beautiful guardian angels—my grandparents and his parents, along with his grandmother. Although we didn’t have bridesmaids or groomsmen, we had my siblings and his cousins walk down as the flower girls and ring bearers, which was a non-traditional touch we loved. Lastly, we made our ceremony unplugged, which allowed everyone to truly be present and soak in the moment.
Why did you choose the specific venue for your wedding ceremony and reception?
Once we scratched the idea of having a destination wedding, it was a no-brainer to have our wedding at home in the DMV. It just felt right to bring our PG County love story full circle. We met in PG, we dated and got together in PG, he proposed in PG, and now we can say we got married in PG. As a bonus, most of our loved ones are from the DMV and still live there, so it made perfect sense to choose a venue in Prince George’s County, Maryland. We wanted a space that was indoors, convenient, easily transformable, and that could host everything in one place. I loved how our ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception were all held in the same building, yet each part felt different because they were in separate areas of the venue. The decor was unique for each space but still tied together effortlessly, and I love that we were able to create such a cohesive flow.
What were some of the most memorable moments from your wedding day?
Honestly, there were so many memorable moments. The entire day was unforgettable. Our wedding was the highlight of our year and we’ll probably be living in that bliss for who knows how long. It was just that special. Some moments that stand out for me include our successful first look and private vow exchange, which felt like the calm before the storm.
Giving my parents their gifts on the day of was also so meaningful. And the mini first look we did with our people? Their reactions were priceless and something we’ll never forget. The moment we were pronounced husband and wife was filled with unmatched excitement and energy. We even nailed a seamless dip + kiss to seal the deal.
Our entire reception was a highlight within itself. My brother’s speech pulled at my heartstrings and our dance floor was never ever empty the entire night. I also performed a dance for my husband, which was a huge surprise. I was so nervous but everyone loved it, especially him. There were so many beautiful, emotional, and joyful moments that I could go on and on. I’m literally smiling while typing all of this.
Looking back, what advice would you give to other couples planning their weddings?
It’s your day and you’re allowed to do everything your way. Don’t be afraid to make it your own. Traditions are beautiful, but so is tailoring the day to fit who you are as a couple. Set boundaries and be okay with standing firm on them. If your people truly love you, care about you, and support you and your partner, they’ll understand and won’t have a problem with how you choose to do things for your special day. Also, try to find the joy in everything, even in the moments when you might feel stressed, overwhelmed, or annoyed with the planning process. It’s a lot, but it’s also a beautiful privilege to be able to celebrate your love in a way that feels right for you.
What emotions did you experience on your wedding day, and how has it impacted your relationship since then?
So many emotions were felt on our wedding day — excitement, joy, gratitude, nervousness, and just an overwhelming sense of love. It was truly one of the most emotional and meaningful days of our lives. Since our wedding, I feel like we’ve been continuing to fall in love with each other more and more each day. We already felt like we were married even before the big day, but something about it being official just hits different. We’re so proud of our growth, both as individuals and as a couple. Knowing that this is still just the beginning and that our story is still unfolding is such an unexplainable feeling. We’re truly blessed to experience this kind of love and to do life together in this lifetime. I had no idea we’d be married at 25, but it was already written.
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