A vacation proposal
DATE: Dec. 3 HER STORY: Rose Marie Samaniego, 65, was born and raised in New York City. She works as a pediatrician at Johns Hopkins Community Physicians in Odenton.
HIS STORY: Vincent Lamont La Form, 62, was born in Selma, Ala., but raised in England. He is a project manager in the nuclear sector. His mother, Patricia Wilkinson, lives in Skegness, England.
THEIR STORY: The two met on July 25, 2015, at a crab feast organized by a social group.
“We were both late, and there were two remaining seats side by side,” Rose Marie recalled. “Call it destiny, serendipity or divine intervention, but I believe a miracle occurred that day.”
Rose Marie was immediately struck by Vince’s polished appearance.
“He was very debonair and classy,” she said. “Everyone was drinking beer, and he was sipping a glass of Cabernet.”
Vince wasted no time showing his generous nature.
“He asked me if I would share a dessert with him. I was still hungry, so I gladly accepted. I was quite impressed by his chivalry,” she said.
The two solidified their feelings for each other and fell in love after visiting Longwood Gardens Nightscape in August 2015. They live in Ellicott City. THE PROPOSAL: Vince proposed on Jan. 1, 2016, during a vacation in Florida. The two were at Max’s Grille in Boca Raton.
“We were having dinner with his youngest daughter and her husband,” she recalled. “All of a sudden he got up from the table, got down on one knee and pulled out the ring.” The gesture took Rose Marie by surprise. “I was so excited I was lost for words, and his daughter asked, ‘Well, is that a yes?’ I was completely surprised, expecting an intimate setting between the two of us and not a proposal in front of his daughter,” she said.
VENUE: Sixty-two guests attended the ceremony at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church in Elkridge and the reception at The Elkridge Furnace Inn, also in Elkridge.
FLOWERS AND DECOR: Flowers were provided by Raimondi's Florist. Rose Marie's bouquet consisted of white roses, greenery and berries.
BRIDE’S DRESS: Rose Marie wore a champagne beaded tulle and satin cap sleeved sheath by Maggie Sottero, which she purchased at Kleinfeld Bridal in New York City.
BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Full-length navy blue gowns embellished with shining metallic beads and sequins by Adrianna Papell, which were purchased at Nordstrom in Columbia.
MEN'S ATTIRE: Vince wore a black jacket with tails and pinstripe gray pants from Tuxedo House. The best man wore a black tuxedo.
MUSIC: DJ Mugshott provided the music. The couple's first dance was to "Here, There and Everywhere" by the Beatles.
FOOD AND DESSERT: Elkridge Furnace Inn catered the event. Hors d'oeuvres consisted of vegetables with French tapenade, hot spinach and cheese dip with assorted crackers, and sausage-stuffed mushroom caps. Dinner options were pork tenderloin with Tarragon mustard sauce, orange roughy, rosemary roasted potatoes and winter vegetable medley. Their threetier wedding cake — also from Elkridge Furnace Inn — included layers of chocolate, almond and sponge cake with a strawberry preserve, all within a vanilla bean icing.
FAVORS: The couple gave glass coasters with pictures of lovebirds and "Love is all you need" printed on them.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: Bridesmaids' bouquets were later used as centerpieces on the tables.