Bride: Kadija “Dee” Faison, 39
Groom: Tory Hunnicutt, 32
Occupations: Faison, accounting professional; Hunnicutt, home improvement business owner
Homebase: Washington, D.C.
Wedding Date: August 7, 2010
Wedding Location: Ceremony & Reception – Lake Presidential Golf Club; Upper Marlboro, Maryland

A House is Not a Home Dee was in contract to purchase a home and contacted Tory — who was referred by her ex-husband — for the home inspection. Her male co-worker accompanied her to the inspection. Tory was attracted to Dee but assumed she was dating said co-worker. The house fell through but Dee didn’t give up. When she needed an inspector for the next home she planned to buy,  she called Tory for her inspection again. They clicked in Cialis. Tory learned that Dee was in fact single and she discovered that he was in the midst of a painful separation. However, this time she got her house and a new friend. The possibilities were endless.

Time Heals All Wounds “We had this crazy connection,” recalls Dee of her early friendship with Tory. Their friendship blossomed and their connection was undeniable but the pair was faced with a dilemma. “A divorce is like a funeral. Emotionally I wasn’t ready to be in a relationship, I needed to heal,” explains Tory of his first marriage. He adds, “I told Dee, ‘I’m half a man right now.'” Because he knew Dee deserved all and not just a fraction of him, he suppressed his feelings for her until he was ready to commit fully.

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[All images (excluding honeymoon pic) by Leonard Poteat.]

We Belong Together Once Tory was ready to give Dee his all, she had reservations and feared she might be a rebound. “I wanted to make sure it was real,” she says. “But I was so much in love with Tory that I wanted the best for him whether we were together or not,” she adds. Tory admits why he was head over heels for Dee, “She’s so supportive and I couldn’t imagine anything we couldn’t get through together. She’s a good mother to her son and she treats my kids like her own.” So after all the bumpy false starts — and an awkward discussion about the future of their relationship — Tory asked Dee to be his wife. And she said yes!

Your Love Deserves an Encore Since it was a second marriage for them both (referred to as an “encore” wedding by bridal industry insiders), the couple wanted to keep their nuptials as low-key as possible. “Our goal was to keep the wedding simple, simple, simple,” says Dee but quickly adds an important caveat. “Sometimes simple is grand.” Their simple affair certainly didn’t lack style — from their African dancers and drummers during the ceremony to the breathtaking purple and white wedding cake at the reception, the Hunnicutt wedding was one to remember.

Dee’s Money-Saving Tips for Future Brides

Invest in Memories “I missed our African dancing and drumming because I wasn’t at the altar yet. I thought pictures would be enough but I wish I had those moments on video too,” Dee admits. Chances are you will have forgotten about the Christian Louboutins you maxed out your credit card for by your first wedding anniversary but a video clip of your grandfather delivering a speech at your reception is unquestionably timeless. Remember this and budget your wedding dollars wisely.

Simplicity Rocks! Dee explains, “Those rocks that held down the programs at our reception were understated and [cost-effective].” Remember,  sometimes simple is grand.

Quality Over Quantity “Hone in on one thing you really want and are willing to splurge on. Everything doesn’t have to be elaborate,” warns Dee. Don’t be surprised if that “thing” is an experience. She notes, “Our honeymoon was worth every penny. The entire hotel was built over water — we could see fish through the floor!”

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