Imagine your middle school boyfriend or girlfriend. Now imagine if that’s who you ended up marrying. Crazy, right? Not for Kristen and Efra Rosales. It all started at a school field day when Efra had the courage to walk up to Kristen and make a move — with the intention of making Kristen laugh — telling her she looked like Avril Lavigne and asking her for her autograph. Instead she wrote her phone number down, and it all began.
We know that Efra had the moves in middle school, so it only makes sense that their engagement was just as smooth. Kristen was out with her sister-in-law all day and came home to Efra standing at the front door with a rose in hand. He walked her to the back deck where he had their favorite love song playing, candles lit, a fire going and her favorite desserts — chocolate-covered strawberries and cheesecake. He asked her to dance, and in the middle of it, got down on one knee and asked her to marry him. They cried and held each other, and of course she said “yes!” Now, let’s get to the good stuff — the wedding!
Kristen and Efra were married at The Palisades Country Club in Charlotte. Searching for the perfect venue is a daunting task, and it seemed that Kristen and Efra were looking for months. Kristen knew she wanted somewhere romantic, and her mom suggested Palisades. After they went to look at it, they knew it was the one for them.
Kristen and Efra had both traditional and non-traditional touches to their wedding. They decided to write their own vows, but a first look was a no-go as they wanted it to be a surprise. They also wrote letters to each other on the big day and exchanged them before the ceremony. Leading up to the ceremony Kristen wasn’t really all that nervous, something she admits was very out of character for her. She felt a sense of peace inside of her — a peace she had never felt before. Kristen said, “I waited so long to marry the love of my life, and it was finally happening. There was a beautiful moment in the bridal suite where all of my bridesmaids left to walk down the aisle and I was left upstairs in the bridal suite alone.” She continues, “I had a moment with the Lord. I prayed asking to feel the Lord’s presence walking down the aisle. I asked that it would be so special between Efra, me and the Lord, a moment I’d never forget. When I finished I looked out the window, looked down, heard the music play and saw the man I’ve been waiting to marry since I was 14, and I felt nothing but a flow of love for him and excitement to be his wife, finally. I just couldn’t believe after all that time I was finally going to marry him.”
Kristen wasn’t the only one feeling the love. Efra also was so excited to finally marry his bride-to-be. He says, “I was so nervous! I was so scared I would mess up and everyone would see it, but I was so excited to finally marry Kristen. I couldn’t even believe the wedding was finally here — it came so fast.” He even took a video on his phone for her to see on their honeymoon saying how excited he was to see her and see how beautiful she looked, how much he loved her and how much he couldn’t wait to see her coming down the aisle. Too cute.
For their cocktail hour, guests enjoyed Mexican-inspired bruschetta that had vine-ripened tomatoes, garlic herb cheese and balsamic vinegar dressing. Their sit-down meal consisted of Caesar salad and chicken piccata with a white wine and lemon sauce, sautéed broccolini and roasted red bliss potatoes. For the cake they went with a white cake with raspberry filling and buttercream icing made by Sweet Scene Cakes. Another fun dessert addition? Homemade flan made by Efra’s mom!
When asked what her favorite memory from the wedding is, Kristen says, “When I walked down the aisle and Efra looked at me and he started wiping tears from his cheeks and putting his head down … that pure look of love in his eyes will forever be one of my favorite memories.” When asked what advice they would give to couples planning their wedding, the pair offers, “Planning a wedding is extremely stressful. If the couple is not hiring a wedding planner, I would recommend entrusting the details to a friend or family member who can not only be a huge help in the planning, but also help to eliminate stress on the bride and groom.” Due to Efra being in college during their wedding they had to postpone their honeymoon until summer 2017, when they will spend a week in Naples, FL.
Happy honeymooning, Mr. and Mrs. Rosales, and cheers to a lifetime of love and happiness!
RESOURCES:
Venue: Palisades Country Club — Charlotte, NC
Photographer: Old South Studios
Bride’s gown: New York Bride and Groom — Kenneth Winston
Bridesmaid’s dresses: New York Bride and Groom– Dessy
Groomsman’s attire: New York Bride and Groom
Groom’s attire: Express
Flowers: Jane’s Creative Designs
Catering: Palisades Country Club
Music: Anything Music DJs
Cake: Sweet Scene Cakes
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