Eric & Seth: Through The Fire
Photographer: Tony Valadez Photography
Eric and Seth are well into their third year of marriage, but their Dallas wedding remains as chic as it was on the day and their love story just as timeless.
The two met in 2003 when Eric threw a party at his home for about 15-20 people. “When Eric opened the door, it was love at first sight for me,” Seth explained. No so for Eric, however! “I wasn’t sure about his intentions.” However, the two eventually decided to go on a date.
“I could tell he was nervous because he would not stop talking,” Eric said of their first dinner together. Eric would soon learn that Seth is a talker in all situations! “I was excited because I had already had my ‘love at first sight experience,” Seth added. But the two were recently out of relationships and were sensitive to getting back into the saddle too quickly. Seth continued: “What I saw every time we were together was that we had more in common than we did difference and I wanted to build on that daily. As we said, if we could make it one month, we could make it three. Make it three, make it a year. Make it a year, we can make it three. If we make it three years, we can make it ten. If we can make it ten, we can make it a lifetime, and here we are!”
However, having made it about 10 years, the two took a break from each other and it was during that separation that the two realized they were meant for each other. Seth said of their getting back together: “I realized I didn’t want to be in a relationship that I thought I ‘needed,’ but in one that I knew I ‘wanted.’ There is a difference. Need speaks internally, Want speaks externally. When my love for him developed to be more external than internal, I knew.” Eric knew Seth was the man he wanted to marry and spend the rest of his life with.
Proposal Photographer: Luka Mario
Eric spent 6-8 months planning his proposal which would be in Venice, Italy. He enlisted the help of a friend to pick out the ring. Because Seth didn’t wear jewelry, Eric and their friend had to devise a plan to bait Seth with a school project, in which the friend’s daughter needed to know ring size and shoe size of 10-15 adults. With ring in hand, after a day of sightseeing in Venice and aboard a gondola for an afternoon glide down the canals, Eric proposed. “I pride myself on not being able to be surprised, but I was none-the-wiser until I saw Eric with the ring in hand! People on other gondolas cheered as I said yes.”
So did the 175 guests who attended their 3-day wedding weekend in Dallas in October of 2019.
The two hosted their guests at the Adolphus Hotel to kick off their “Eat, Drink and Be Married” themed weekend. Family and friends toasted the couple with specialty cocktails. The following day, guests again gathered in the French Room Parlor at the Adolphus for a midday brunch prior to the main event at the Nasher Sculpture Garden Center.
Reciting their vows stood out for both Seth and Eric as the most memorable part of their wedding day. For Eric, “[the] vows perfectly described the love and commitment we have for each other, the ups and downs of a relationship, and the journey to a happy ever after.” For Seth, in addition to the vows, “the song sung by Tomeka Williams of Seattle after reading ours vows, “Through The Fire” by Chaka Khan definitely described our journey to this point in finding our happily ever after. As Tomeka sang people rocked, they swayed, they sang along, they cried.”
Following the ceremony reveled in the reception festivities that included a comedy set by Nanette Lee and music by K Cooks of Dallas and, again, Tomeka Williams of Seattle. The space was decorated in white lights and roses with chandeliers hanging from trees and the sculptures of the center providing a unique touch to the décor. And thanks to the King David Band, dancing was never-ending.
Truly never-ending as the following day they hosted a rooftop pool brunch featuring the True DJs of Dallas! From pool to Aegean Sea, Eric and Seth spent their honeymoon—and, coincidentally, both of their birthdays—island-hopping in Greece.
When asked to describe their experiencing planning and at their wedding, both grooms really focused on their guests and making sure they spent enough time with each person who “graced [them] with their presence. 70% of our guests were coming from out of town and many of them we’d not seen in years, so we wanted to make sure we got more than 2-3-minutes with all of our guests,” Seth explained.
Which led to Eric’s advice about planning a wedding: “Make sure you’re well-rested! Make sure you have prioritized eating well and staying hydrated. The day will be a blur while you look to take care of your many guests and must maintain taking care of yourself in the process.”
After being together for 12 years, little changed for Eric and Seth after tying the knot, minus the fact that their rings went from the right hand to the left hand! “To us, we have taken the necessary next step in cementing our relationship for the ‘forever chapter’ of our story.” Seth added: “We were much more guarded about our relationship in public prior to the wedding – family, work, church, social scenes. But one of the reasons for the public wedding celebration was wanting others around us and in the community and coming up behind us to know what is truly possible – two professional black men finding love and happiness forever. So, we won’t call it our ‘coming out’ party, but definitely our if you didn’t know, now you know moment, and there’s no going back!”
With love at your back, there really is no going back!
Ceremony & Reception Venue: Nasher Sculpture Center
Photographer: Tony Valadez Photography, @thetonyvaladez
Videographer: Abi Matesum
Planner/Designer: Marion Adele Marshall
Invitation Designer: Artifacture Studios
Caterer: Wolfgang Puck
Cake: Dallas Affaires Cake Co
Apparel/Accessories: Don Morphy, @don_morphy
Floral Designer: AbsolutelyBlooming by Marion Marshall
Live Music: The David Whiteman Band
Rentals: TLC Event Rentals
Hair Stylist: Eddie Degrate & Eric Degrate
