Real Wedding Wednesdays: Taya Traylor and Lateef Hafeez

Lateef and Taya Hafeez first met in 2014 when he moved from Atlanta to Columbus to become a pastor at The Gathering Place of Columbus and Taya became an official member of the church. Over time, their friendship grew as Lateef suffered the loss of 10 family members in one year. “Just being a friend and being there for Lateef was becoming what I desired daily,” Taya says.

In September 2018, Lateef asked Taya to be his girlfriend. Seven months later, he proposed in front of their church congregation, friends and family. “It was like a sigh of relief to know that I get to marry my person, my best friend, my soulmate and the love of my life,” Taya says.

Taya and Lateef married Sept. 8, 2019, in front of 300 guests. Taya says that while dating, Lateef asked what her dream wedding would be and “he gave me that and more for our wedding.” When she walked down the aisle, Taya sang “I Believe in You and Me” by Whitney Houston; after the couple said “I do,” they danced back down the aisle and throughout the night as husband and wife. 

The Details

Wedding date: Sept. 8, 2019

Wedding colors: Plum, white and gold

Attendants: Three bridesmaids, a junior bridesmaid, three groomsmen, a junior groomsman, two flower girls and a ring bearer

Bride wore: Dress from a boutique in Atlanta and accessories from David’s Bridal

Hair and makeup: Hair by Micah Jones at Glam Gallery Salons and makeup by Marquita Marie at M3 Artistry

Groom wore: Suit from Designs by Winborn

Bridesmaids wore: Dresses from David’s Bridal

Groomsmen wore: Suits from Designs by Winborn

Ceremony: Creekside Conference and Event Center

Reception: Creekside Conference and Event Center

Caterer: In-house

Cake: The Suisse Shop Bakery

Florist: Kroger

Photographer: The Comfort Photography

Videographer: St. Lerenz

Invitations: greenvelope.com

Cocktail hour band: Ground Zero

Reception DJ: DJ Opzzy (Odis Parker)