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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Erica and Khambrel's Destination Wedding

Erica and Khambrel became good friends in the 6th grade and kept in touch all the way through their college years. Then one day a “Happy New Year” text sparked an epic phone conversation and the distant friends became lovers. See their Valentine’s  Day wedding style!

By Charli Penn · September 23, 2015October 27, 2020
01
The Right Choice

“I knew that Khambrel was ‘The One’ once we made the decision to be more than friends,” beaming bride Erica tells us. “I realized that he had grown up to be such a gentleman, a hard worker and a man of God. He treated me so well and was always so thoughtful and considerate. All the things that I had learned to appreciate in a companion and the qualities I wanted in a husband. When I realized I had a good man and a true friend in him, I knew he was it for me.”

Cendino Temé Photography
02
Wow Factor

“I was blessed to find my dress on my first shopping trip,” says Erica. “It was exactly what I was looking for – a classic princess feel with a sexy, wow factor.”

Cendino Temé Photography
03
Custom Chic

A custom hanger for the bride’s lovley gown.

04
Fit For A Queen

Erica’s wedding day makeup was absolutely flawless.

Cendino Temé Photography
05
Dressed For Success

The groom and groomsmen wore charcoal Vera Wang suits from Men’s Warehouse.

Cendino Temé Photography
06
Teamwork

“I received my wedding day cut, color and initial styling from my hometown stylist and dear friend, Micah Cook of House of Opulent in Pembroke Pines, Forida,” Erica explains.

Cendino Temé Photography
07
SheTime

How sweet is this tender moment between Eric and her girls?

08
She Aced The Accessories

“I wore a beautiful crystal headpiece I ordered from Etsy that was just the right amount of bling I felt I needed to adorn my head,” says the bride. “I also just had to have a veil to complete the look I was going for and to look like a bride. I needed that added detail to complete my wedding day wardrobe vision. I completed the look with a simple pear shaped diamond necklace, diamond drop earrings and a diamond tennis bracelet.”

Cendino Temé Photography
09
Like A Boss

“It felt great being the bride!” Erica gushes. She looked amazing in her Allure Bridals gown.

Cendino Temé Photography
10
No One Like You

“I knew Erica was the one after our first road trip,” Khambrel explains. “While out of town, we stopped at a store and while looking for items for me, she realized that I had no answers to her questions about my size, what styles or colors I liked, etc., and instead of getting frustrated with me, she showed patience and care and that meant a lot to me. That’s what made me fall in love and keeps me falling in love with her. She puts me before herself. No one had ever done that for me before. She was special.”

Cendino Temé Photography
11
Dynamic Duo

“Kham is my best friend and the man I never knew I needed,” says Erica. “He is my complement and we make a dynamic team!”

Cendino Temé Photography
12
I’ve Got Your Back

“She looks out for me and always has my back,” says Khambrel. “I married my best friend.”

Cendino Temé Photography
13
Fits Like A Glove

“I loved the silhouette of the dress on my body,” Erica says. “I felt beautiful and definitely like a bride. I was also blessed to not need one single alteration. The dress fit me like a glove. It was perfect for me!”

Cendino Temé Photography
14
The Choice Is Yours

“I allowed my maid of honor and matron of honor to collectively choose the gown they would be wearing,” says Erica. “They chose a marine blue, strapless fit and flare gown with body contouring pleats and corset seam detailing by Zac Posen. Drop dead gorgeous! From there I found a fuchsia, satin, fit and flare gown with similar pleating for my bridesmaids to wear that was pretty and equally elegant.”

Cendino Temé Photography
15
XOXO

Erica’s bridesmaids kept her surrounded by love on her big day.

Cendino Temé Photography
16
This Is The Place

“Kham and I were married at the One & Only Ocean Club Resort in Nassau, Bahamas,” Erica says. “A major part of making our destination wedding dream come true was to find the perfect location. We researched several venues, but when Kham found photos of the Augustinian Cloisters there, we immediately knew it was the one. It was perfect! Beautiful, serene, luxurious and nothing like any other venue we had previously considered.”

Cendino Temé Photography
17
Thanks, Mom!

“My mom raised my sister and I as a single parent so naturally, her giving me away was always in my plan,” says the bride. “I needed her to have that role in the ceremony. She has always seen my sister and I as her little girls. ‘Giving me away’ during the ceremony was symbolic for the transition that was really taking place in our lives. She was handing over her oldest baby to her husband to care for her. It was a special moment.”

Cendino Temé Photography
18
A Moment He’ll Never Forget

“Kham definitely got teary eyed as he saw me coming up in my dress for the first time,” says Erica. “Good thing his best man had a handkerchief ready. Good looking out, Tad!”

Cendino Temé Photography
19
Best Friends Forever

“In that moment, I was soooo happy,” says Erica. “All of our hard work was coming to fruition and all I kept saying to him was how good everything looked and how happy I was that we were finally having this moment. It was all happening. I was about to marry my best friend!”

Cendino Temé Photography
20
In The Moment

“It was a moment that I wanted to last forever,” says Khambrel. “She was beautiful.”

Cendino Temé Photography
21
Traditional Love

The couple exchanged traditional Christian vows at their ceremony.

Cendino Temé Photography
22
Pretty In Pink

The couple’s wedding location was absolutely stunning from corner to corner.

Cendino Temé Photography
23
The Look Of Love

We just adore the way Erica and her new husband look at one another. Their love radiates from the pictures.

Cendino Temé Photography
24
You May Now Kiss Your Bride

The newlyweds puckered up to perfection.

Cendino Temé Photography
25
A Beautiful Day

“We had a beautiful outdoor ceremony,” shares the bride. Agreed!

Cendino Temé Photography
26
Posed To Perfection

These two were all about the photo opps on their big day, and it paid off beautifully!

Cendino Temé Photography
27
Dapper Darlings

Well, hello there, fellas! They make our best dressed guys list for sure.

Cendino Temé Photography
28
A True Partner

“She loves me like crazy, takes care of me and whips me in shape when I need it,” Khambrel shares. “The true definition of a partner.”

Cendino Temé Photography
29
A Beautiful Surprise

“I never thought in a million years that we would be where we are today,” says Erica. “Our relationship came out of nowhere and was a complete surprise to me. The man I fell in love with was not the boy I had known for most of my life. We had both grown and changed since our initial meeting in the 6th grade. God was preparing us for each other and was working in His own impeccable timing.”

Cendino Temé Photography
30
Super Woman

“She’s selfless,” says Khambrel. “She’s also thinking about me and others before herself. She has a great heart.”

Cendino Temé Photography
31
For The Love Of You

It was Khambrel’s loyal friendship that showed Erica he was the right man to spend her life with.

Cendino Temé Photography
32
Smooch Time

Their big day was filled with romantic kisses.

Cendino Temé Photography
33
Her Dream Come True

“For as long as I can remember, I wanted a destination wedding,” Erica tells us. “Although we flip-flopped a few times, we ultimately decided that making my destination wedding dream come true was most fitting with our desire to do something less traditional and to create an experience that our guests and we would never forget.”

Cendino Temé Photography
34
A Vision Of Love

“Khambrel would love to say that he did most of the wedding planning, but I would disagree,” jokes the bride. “He knows how important our wedding was to me and did everything he could to make it perfect. I like to think that I was the visionary and he was great at executing.’

Cendino Temé Photography
35
Sincerely Yours

“Khambrel is probably the most sincere and caring person I know,” shares the bride. “He finds the good in everyone and everything. I love that about him.”

Cendino Temé Photography
36
Dance The Night Away

“We danced the night away on a pearl white-monogramed dance floor and enjoyed the ambiance that the uplightling placed around the perimeter of the room provided,” says the bride. “It was beautiful. Tasteful and classic. We were extremely happy with final product!”

Cendino Temé Photography
37
Glam Style

“For our reception, changed everything up and went with a black, white and gold color scheme,” says Erica. “Our centerpieces were white florals accented with glass cylinders of varying heights, pillar and floating candles with scattered white rose petals on alternating black or designer black and white patterned floor length linens. Each guest was seated in a black chiavari chair with a tufted white cushion.”

Cendino Temé Photography
38
Calling All The Single Ladies

How fun is this picture?

Cendino Temé Photography
39
An Evening Of Surprises

The couple’s reception was filled with fun surprises, from the outfit changes to the live entertainment.

Cendino Temé Photography
40
Keep The Party Coming

“We had both a live Junkanoo band that created an entrance like none other and a great DJ who happens to be one of Khambrel’s close childhood friends,” Erica shares.

Cendino Temé Photography
41
Boogie Nights

We sure missed a great party!

Cendino Temé Photography
42
Share In Their Moment

Join us as we congratulate Erica and Khambrel on their magical day. Leave your comment love below!

Cendino Temé Photography

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