Bride: Amber C. Jaynes, 38, Vice President, Marketing and Communications, National Urban League
Groom: Donovan V. Casanave, 42, Supplier Diversity Specialist, Shell Oil
Married On: October 13, 2013
Ceremony Location: Rose Garden Ballroom, Hyatt at the Bellevue, Philadelphia, PA
Reception Location: XIX Restaurant, Hyatt at the Bellevue, Philadelphia, PA
Wedding Style: Vintage Chic
That’s What Friends Are For
Sometimes a night out with your girls can end in some pretty unexpected ways. In Amber’s case, she wound up meeting her future husband, Donovan. She and her best friend Simone were enjoying a fun evening at the Congressional Black Caucus convention. Amber was briefly introduced to Donovan and his colleagues, and the moment they locked eyes, something magical seemed to happen. A little later that evening, she hinted to Simone that she’d like to know more about Donovan. Simone, like any great girlfriend would, immediately took action. She walked over and grilled Donovan on the basics—his current relationship status, career, etc. Donovan was already smitten with Amber from their first encounter that evening, so when Simone told him the feeling was mutual he knew that he might actually have a chance. At the end of the night, they bumped into each other yet again. “As I spoke to Amber, there was a light framing her face and I knew that she was the one,” Donovan admits. “We exchanged business cards and she emailed me a few days later.”
Queen For a Day
For his big proposal, Donovan planned a weekend trip to New Orleans for them to enjoy. When they arrived, it was all about her. “I was treated like a queen,” she gushes. After a fun-filled day of activities and an intimate dinner in the French Quarter, he popped the question. Donovan went all out—there was champagne, a singer and a photographer on hand to secretly capture the moment. “After I said yes, there was a horse drawn carriage waiting to take us for a romantic ride throughout the French Quarter,” Amber shares. “We spent the entire ride calling our family and friends to share the news. It was like 1 a.m.” When they arrived back at their hotel suite the newly-engaged lovebirds danced the night away doing their best renditions of Michael Jackson, Beyoncé and Notorious B.I.G. hits. Aww!
See their romantic Philly “I dos” and share their love!