Wedding Day

Swanston Community Center

Ceremony

Swanston Community Center 

Reception

Our Wedding

It&nbsp;was&nbsp;an&nbsp;ordinary&nbsp;evening&nbsp;when&nbsp;I&nbsp;pulled&nbsp;into&nbsp;the&nbsp;Vasari&nbsp;apartment&nbsp;complex&nbsp;after&nbsp;a&nbsp;long&nbsp;days&nbsp;work,&nbsp;expecting&nbsp;nothing&nbsp;out&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;ordinary.&nbsp;&nbsp;As&nbsp;I&nbsp;parked&nbsp;my&nbsp;car,&nbsp;a&nbsp;tall,&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;lady&nbsp;with&nbsp;a&nbsp;group&nbsp;of&nbsp;small&nbsp;children&nbsp;approached&nbsp;and&nbsp;knocked&nbsp;on&nbsp;my&nbsp;car&nbsp;window.&nbsp;Her&nbsp;radiant&nbsp;smile&nbsp;immediately&nbsp;put&nbsp;me&nbsp;at&nbsp;ease,&nbsp;so&nbsp;I&nbsp;rolled&nbsp;down&nbsp;the&nbsp;window. "Hi,"&nbsp;she&nbsp;said&nbsp;warmly,&nbsp;"Im&nbsp;Ina."&nbsp;&nbsp;There&nbsp;was&nbsp;a&nbsp;certain&nbsp;confidence&nbsp;in&nbsp;her&nbsp;voice,&nbsp;a&nbsp;blend&nbsp;of&nbsp;gentleness&nbsp;and&nbsp;strength.&nbsp;Without&nbsp;hesitation,&nbsp;she&nbsp;asked&nbsp;if&nbsp;I&nbsp;was&nbsp;attached.&nbsp;&nbsp;I&nbsp;explained&nbsp;that&nbsp;I&nbsp;was&nbsp;a&nbsp;widower,&nbsp;a&nbsp;truth&nbsp;that&nbsp;had&nbsp;often&nbsp;been&nbsp;received&nbsp;with&nbsp;awkward&nbsp;silence&nbsp;or&nbsp;pity.&nbsp;&nbsp;But&nbsp;not&nbsp;with&nbsp;Ina;&nbsp;she&nbsp;seemed&nbsp;unperturbed,&nbsp;her&nbsp;smile&nbsp;never&nbsp;faltering. I&nbsp;soon&nbsp;discovered&nbsp;that&nbsp;Ina&nbsp;lived&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;building&nbsp;right&nbsp;beside&nbsp;mine.&nbsp;Our&nbsp;initial&nbsp;conversation&nbsp;was&nbsp;just&nbsp;the&nbsp;beginning&nbsp;of&nbsp;a&nbsp;deeper&nbsp;connection.&nbsp;As&nbsp;we&nbsp;spent&nbsp;more&nbsp;time&nbsp;together,&nbsp;I&nbsp;learned&nbsp;about&nbsp;her&nbsp;long&nbsp;and&nbsp;dedicated&nbsp;career&nbsp;in&nbsp;foster&nbsp;parenting.&nbsp;It&nbsp;was&nbsp;a&nbsp;path&nbsp;remarkably&nbsp;similar&nbsp;to&nbsp;my&nbsp;own&nbsp;ministerial&nbsp;advocacy&nbsp;for&nbsp;foster&nbsp;care&nbsp;and&nbsp;adoption.&nbsp;&nbsp;Our&nbsp;shared&nbsp;passions&nbsp;created&nbsp;a&nbsp;bond&nbsp;that&nbsp;felt&nbsp;both&nbsp;natural&nbsp;and&nbsp;profound. Days&nbsp;turned&nbsp;into&nbsp;weeks,&nbsp;and&nbsp;weeks&nbsp;into&nbsp;months.&nbsp;Our&nbsp;conversations&nbsp;grew&nbsp;longer,&nbsp;our&nbsp;laughter&nbsp;more&nbsp;frequent.&nbsp;The&nbsp;children&nbsp;she&nbsp;cared&nbsp;for&nbsp;began&nbsp;to&nbsp;feel&nbsp;like&nbsp;an&nbsp;extension&nbsp;of&nbsp;myself,&nbsp;and&nbsp;I&nbsp;saw&nbsp;in&nbsp;Ina&nbsp;a&nbsp;partner&nbsp;who&nbsp;understood&nbsp;and&nbsp;shared&nbsp;my&nbsp;life’s&nbsp;mission. Our&nbsp;connection&nbsp;deepened,&nbsp;and&nbsp;it&nbsp;became&nbsp;clear&nbsp;that&nbsp;we&nbsp;were&nbsp;more&nbsp;than&nbsp;just&nbsp;neighbors.&nbsp;We&nbsp;were&nbsp;a&nbsp;perfect&nbsp;match.&nbsp;The&nbsp;way&nbsp;she&nbsp;embraced&nbsp;life,&nbsp;her&nbsp;dedication&nbsp;to&nbsp;caring&nbsp;for&nbsp;others,&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;genuine&nbsp;kindness&nbsp;she&nbsp;showed&nbsp;me&nbsp;made&nbsp;it&nbsp;easy&nbsp;to&nbsp;fall&nbsp;in&nbsp;love&nbsp;with&nbsp;her. The&nbsp;rest,&nbsp;as&nbsp;they&nbsp;say,&nbsp;is&nbsp;history.&nbsp;What&nbsp;began&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;simple&nbsp;knock&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;car&nbsp;window&nbsp;had&nbsp;turned&nbsp;into&nbsp;a&nbsp;beautiful&nbsp;story&nbsp;of&nbsp;love&nbsp;and&nbsp;connection,&nbsp;a&nbsp;testament&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;magic&nbsp;of&nbsp;unexpected&nbsp;encounters

I Was Minding My Own Business. . .

Our Story

Moments with Eric & Ina

Photos

This is far from a traditional wedding because Eric and Ina bring to this marriage families of their own so, the wedding party is comprised of our family members. The wedding party is as follows: - Ina’s family - Eric’s family The attire for the wedding party is as follows: - Summer whites - White Sundresses are preferred but if you aren’t comfortable with dresses then White Summer blouse and White pants are acceptable as well - Nice White Summer linen outfit for the men

Wedding Party

Q + A

This hotel is great for anyone that wants to take in some of Sacramento's attractions while in the area. The hotel overlooks the Sacramento River, next to the iconic Tower Bridge. It is within a 10-minute walk of the Old Sacramento Waterfront District and events at the Golden 1 Center. Local art throughout the hotel depicts Sacramento history and life along the river. Enjoy free made-to-order breakfast and our complimentary evening reception

Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade

This hotel is closest to the wedding venue, only 3 mi away by car.  Near Arden Fair Mall, The Doubletree has 448 guestrooms featuring MP3 docking stations and flat-screen televisions, and the pillowtop bed comes with down comforters. Rooms have private balconies, and cable television is provided. I'm not sure if they still do this, but back in the day they used to hand guest a free warm chocolate chip cookie upon check-in.

DoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento



The Fairfield inn in Rancho Cordova is between Sacramento and Folsom which are two cities with major attractions. The hotel is also less than 30 minutes away from the wedding venue. This newly renovated hotel is moderately  priced, and provides all the amenities you need for a satisfying stay. Fuel up for your day with the hotel's complimentary breakfast buffet, and maintain your fitness routine at the 24-hour fitness center, or take a dip in their outdoor pool or enjoy the new Gold Rush Bar and Bistro! 

Fairfield Inn &
Suites Rancho
Cordova

Hotel Accommodations 

Things to Do

Registry

Hey Tyler, Eddie, Steve - Are You Still Using Those Wedding Sets?

Wedding planning can be an overwhelming endeavor, as many of you already know. The sheer number of details to consider can quickly add up, and before you know it, the costs can skyrocket. In fact, the average wedding in America costs around $30,000&#8212;and that doesn't even include the honeymoon! Expenses can range from church and reception hall rentals to wedding arch and chair rentals, flower arrangements, invitations, wedding gowns, tuxedo rentals, alterations, champagne, bands, DJs, photographers, hairdressers, makeup artists, cakes, rings, and so much more. And let's not forget about the food!

Sometimes, it feels like the best way to afford a wedding nowadays is to place it in a movie&#160; budget. Remember all those fabulous wedding movies we've grown up with? Take, for instance, the "Paris In Springtime" scene from Madea's Family Reunion, complete with an Eiffel Tower replica in the backdrop and live human beings dressed as angels complete with halos and harps, suspended in mid-air.

Or how about the movie Father of the Bride? While the original starred Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor, most people fondly remember the remake with Steve Martin as the uptight father and Martin Short as the over-the-top wedding coordinator&#8212;truly hilarious!

Coming to America with Eddie Murphy was a wedding movie (lest we forget)! Who could forget the grand entrance of Princess Imani Izzi, played by the stunning Vanessa Bell Callaway, with her 100-foot train on that gold-laced wedding gown? And let's not forget Oha, the royal balladeer, who sang, "She's Your Queen!" Coming to America was so fabulous, it had two separate wedding scences written into the script!
 
I wonder if any of these sets are still available for rent? Would that be a great idea?
 
Ultimately, whether a wedding is large or small, the most important aspect is celebrating it with loved ones. Having a community that supports you and prays for your marriage to thrive and flourish is what truly matters. Amidst the whirlwind of planning and details, it's crucial to remember that the essence of a wedding is the love and commitment I share with my partner and the support from our community. In many of the weddings I've officiated, my prayer has always been that the marriage itself is far better than the wedding day (and I prayed that would be fabulous too), and that the community continues to support the couple throughout their journey together.
 
What's your favorite wedding movie or movie scene? Be sure to share.

Thoughts on Wedding Planning 

Our Wedding Menu: A Cajun-Inspired Affair

Selecting the perfect menu for our wedding was an adventure as delightful as our love story. A few weeks before our big day, we met the charming Chef Harold Williams and his lovely wife, Yvette, at the wedding venue. Instantly, we connected. After touring the kitchen, we settled outdoors to discuss our culinary vision.
 
Yvette, a minister's daughter, and Harold, a Louisiana native who met her in college, were the perfect dynamic duo. Harold's passion for Louisiana cuisine was evident, and he proudly proclaimed his crawfish &#233;touff&#233;e to be his masterpiece. While intrigued, I voiced concern about its spiciness for our health-conscious guests. Ina, ever the adventurous foodie, countered with the idea of fruit and vegetable trays as a lighter option for anyone with dietary concerns. However, a quick crawfish anatomy lesson had us both reconsidering that approach!
 
It became clear that we needed a menu that catered to diverse tastes while still offering something unique. Then, Chef Harold introduced us to a dish that embodied his heritage and culinary prowess: shrimp and grits. From a humble fisherman's fare to a gourmet sensation, anyone who has binged on cable television food channels has come across this classic crowd-pleaser. We envisioned the plump prawns , creamy grits, and endless flavor possibilities. Whether done with shrimp&nbsp; or an alternative flaky fish like grouper, red snapper, or catfish; or whether covered with a savory sauce, or mixed with provolone, cheddar, parmesan or pepper jack cheeses, this entree has won awards and staved off elimination in cooking competitions. We were all in agreement . This was the perfect balance to the comforting baked chicken and mixed vegetables we also selected.
 
As the day drew to a close, we were thrilled with our menu choices. It was the perfect blend of tradition and excitement, leaving plenty of room for champagne, cake, and dancing. A heartfelt thank you to Chef Harold for creating such a memorable culinary experience for our special day.

Reception Dinner Menu

A Family-Centered Wedding 

As you've likely noticed, this isn't Eric and Ina's first marriages. Both have previous marriages, and they've experienced the highs and lows that come with wedded life. While their marital journeys differ, they share a profound bond: family.
 
Family has been the cornerstone of their lives, and now, as they unite, family will become even more central.
 
Eric's family includes two adult children. His eldest, a high school graduate, works in education, fast food, and retail. His younger child, also a high school graduate, balances work, college and college football.
 
Eric has two siblings. His older brother, a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, and his Eastern Star wife reside in Houston. Their two adult sons are employed, and the elder is soon to be a father. This will be the first grandchild for Eric's brother and sister-in-law. Eric's younger sister works in pharmaceuticals in their hometown of Detroit and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta. We consider her the family historian.
 
 
Eric's father hailed from a large family of thirteen siblings. Only one aunt and one uncle remain. His mother had three siblings, with one uncle still living at 87 years old.
 
 
Ina's family is even more extensive. She has two brothers&#8212;one in Colorado, the other in Florida&#8212;and a sister in Sacramento. Ina&#8217;s two adult biological children, that have families of their own. Her son has a child, while her daughter has five, including two sets of twins.
 
 
Ina's dedication to fostering children spans over 30 years. She has adopted seven, most of whom are independent adults or have transitioned from the family. Others remain cherished members.
 
 
Inspired by Ina, Eric renewed his foster parent certification. He and his late wife fostered children while living in Maryland.
 
 
Last Thanksgiving, Ina received emergency placement requests for four children, two of whom shared the Donaldson surname ( no accidents). Three were reunited with their parents, while the fourth remains in their care. Shortly after, they welcomed three more foster siblings: a one-, two-, and four-year-old. They hope to adopt all three.
 
Currently, there are a total of&#160; over 20 family members in Sacramento and many more living elsewhere. Last year, Eric, Ina,&#160; his children and the youngest twins visited Eric's family during the Donaldson family reunion. It is their hope that Eric can attend a reunion with Ina's family in the future.

Hotel Accommodations

Embassy Suites by Hilton Sacramento Riverfront Promenade

DoubleTree by Hilton Sacramento

Fairfield Inn & Suites Rancho Cordova