Dear Family & Friends, We’re so delighted to have you here as we prepare for a celebration truly close to our hearts! On Saturday, February 20, 2027, we invite you to join us for a destination wedding like no other. Our love story, fit for royalty, will unfold in the heart of a tropical paradise. Our wedding, "A Royal Gala in the Gardens", promises an unforgettable weekend of elegance, laughter, and love. Picture cascading waterfalls, vibrant blooms, swaying palms, beautiful arches, and koi-filled ponds, all coming together to create a dreamy oasis for our “I do.” Whether you're traveling near or far, we can't wait to share this magical moment with you. Here on our website, you’ll find everything you need for the wedding weekend, including travel details, accommodation, event updates, dress code, RSVP links, and more. We want this celebration to feel just as seamless and magical for you as it does for us, so be sure to check back often for updates! We can’t wait to celebrate love, laughter, and happily ever after with each of you by our side. With all our love and excitement, Meka & Ben

They say love finds you when you least expect it… and in our case, it also had the persistence of a Marine. Their story began with a digital crossing of paths on a dating site, but timing wasn’t on their side. Meka had sworn off dating and dating apps and was focused on living life to the fullest, juggling double and triple shifts, side gigs, and weekend getaways with friends. Meanwhile, Ben, a determined small-town Pennsylvania country boy and Marine veteran, knew he had found someone special and didn’t give up. For over a year, he reached out through other platforms, quietly hoping our stars might finally align. One day, a friend request appeared from someone Meka didn’t recognize. She assumed he was someone she met during a night out or perhaps an old college classmate. She accepted, and just like that, Ben sent a message. It was sweet, respectful, and charming. However, Meka still wasn’t looking for anything serious, but something about his energy made her stay a while. They talked and slowly got to know one another. Despite coming from two different worlds, she's a liberal first-generation Bahamian-American from a vibrant, multicultural background, and he’s a conservative mountain-raised Marine with deep Pennsylvania roots; they discovered common ground in the most unexpected places. Eventually, he asked her to dinner. She hesitated, but thought, what’s one dinner? On a warm September evening in 2022, they met outside the Federal Taphouse in downtown State College. She was nervous, and he was beaming. Over dinner, they went through the usual first-date questions and somehow ended up debating politics, a bold choice for a first date! But instead of clashing, they listened, laughed, and saw each other’s hearts. Eventually, their conversations led to a late-night walk, and they ended up under the stars on the top deck of a parking garage, where they talked until time slipped away. From that moment on, their worlds began to merge. Dive bars and pool games. Family introductions. Weekend trips. And a first kiss on New Year’s Eve, just as the clock struck midnight in 2023. A year later, they found themselves in Philadelphia for another New Year’s celebration. They visited landmarks, explored the city, took touristy photos, and indulged in amazing food. On New Year’s Eve, they boarded the Spirit of Philadelphia for a magical dinner cruise. As midnight approached, they stepped onto the top deck to watch the fireworks. When Meka turned to take it all in, she heard her name, and there he was, on one knee, ring in hand, asking the most beautiful question. She said yes, with tears, laughter, and fireworks bursting above them. And the rest? Well... It’s their forever in the making. 💍✨