Wedded Love takes the long way around RSVP
DATE: April 28, 2017 HER STORY: Sabrina Delores Washington, 40, was born and raised in Baltimore. Sabrina works as a claims operations manager at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield in Owings Mills. Her parents, Patricia A. Walker and James Washington, live in Baltimore.
HIS STORY: Corey Dante’ Bradford, 41, was born and raised in Baltimore. Corey works as deputy chief for Preventative Protection Investigations LLC in Baltimore. His parents, Maggie and Gregory Bradford Sr., live in Catonsville.
THEIR STORY: The two first met in 1988 at Fallstaff Middle School.
“As an 11-year-old I said that I was going to marry him and began writing his last name as my own on school work,” Sabrina said. “Who knew that he would be my forever handsome tall drink of water?”
The two remained in contact throughout their teenage years and dated in high school. They even went to senior prom together. Although their romantic relationship fizzled after that, the two remained each other’s support system throughout their 20s and 30s.
“Life happened and time passed, but we never were too far from one another,” she said.
THE PROPOSAL: Corey proposed on July 26, 2016.
Corey was recuperating from major neck surgery and Sabrina was helping him settle into bed for the evening when he caught her by surprise by revealing a ring and popping the question.
“It was so like him to think of me in the midst of a hard period for him,” she recalled.
Needless to say, Sabrina was stunned by the scenario.
“I was speechless. I cried and said yes. And cried again then managed to gather my words to tell everyone that answered the phone,” Sabrina recalled.
VENUE: Two hundred guests attended the wedding and reception at the Sheraton BaltimoreNorth in Towson.
FLOWERS AND DECOR: The colors of the wedding were black with “lots of bling,” according to Sabrina. There were also a slew of red roses everywhere. Event planner A Bride’s Fancy styled and organized the day.
HER DRESS: Sabrina wore an ivory trumpet dress with a sparkling beaded belt made by Sophia and Camilla Bridal purchased at Lily’s Bridal in Sulphur Spring.
BRIDESMAIDS’ ATTIRE: Bridesmaids wore black Vera Wang gowns from the White Collection, purchased from David’s Bridal.
MEN’S ATTIRE: Corey wore an ivory tuxedo jacket and bow tie from the Vera Wang collection at Men’s Wearhouse. Groomsmen also wore Vera Wang tuxedos with a vest and bow tie also from Men’s Wearhouse.
MUSIC: DJ Darrell Scott from Sterling, Va., provided music. The couple’s first dance was to “You and I” by Keke Wyatt and Avant.
FOOD AND DESSERT: The Sheraton catered the food. Appetizers included scallops wrapped in bacon, spring rolls, Thai chili shrimp, beef tenderloin with caramelized onions and Maryland Chesapeake crab dip. Dinner was a duet plate, flounder stuffed with crab meat and chicken Francaise with herb risotto and asparagus. Little Sweets by Marie provided a gourmet dessert bar. Their fourtier red velvet and chocolate mousse and almond cake with raspberry mousse wedding cake was provided by La Cakerie in Towson.
FAVORS: The couple handed out personalized coasters that read “We love because He first loved us — The Bradfords” as favors.
SPECIAL TOUCHES: The couple honeymooned for seven days in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.