Brad And Gheni

Vow Renewal Countdown

Oct 8 ,2021

“I Do Part 2”

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we postponed last year’s larger wedding event in lieu of a small, intimate gathering with our immediate family members and bridal party members. This year, however, we are vaccinated, still madly in love and still in possession of a gorgeous event venue that we booked last year (We transferred our booking to 2021).

Therefore, we hope you will join us for our one-year anniversary celebration!

We realize the process of physically mailing and collecting RSVP cards can be cumbersome and challenging.

So, Brad and I ask that you please RSVP using our ONLINE reservation site listed below:

platenburglewisweddi.appycouple.com

Please note this is a different link than the site you are currently visiting (BradAndGheni.com). You MUST visit our separate reservation site to confirm your attendance plans.

To do so, you will need an access code, which you can find on the details card included with your formal mailed invitation.

The deadline to RSVP is Aug. 31, 2021.

Additional details for the big day (start times, hotel accommodations, etc.) can be found both here on our wedding website and the reservation app.

We hope to see everyone in-person (and hopefully vaccinated) in October!

Save The Date

Oct 8, 2021

The bride

Gheni Platenburg is a lifelong storyteller. As a multimedia journalist, she spent time traveling the country, meeting new people and sharing their stories of joy, loss, survival and fortitude. Now as a college professor of journalism, she spends her days cultivating future journalists and gathering data to share stories focused on the intersection of black identity and media. She also does freelance reporting and media consulting. Gheni was born and raised in Houston. She is a graduate of Florida A&M University, the University of Alabama and Louisiana State University. During her free time, Gheni enjoys visiting wineries, trying new restaurants and spending time with her two terriers, Whitley and Sadie.

The Groom

Brad Lewis was five years old when he first programmed a bouncing ball on a Commodore 64. Although that was Brad’s first programming feat, it would not be his last. His early interest in computers eventually fueled his future career in information technology. Currently, Brad works as a software developer at an international environmental risk and safety company. He was born and raised in Zachary, Louisiana, and attended Southern University. When he is not working, Brad enjoys fishing, sports cars and video games and spending time with his inherited dogs, Whitley and Sadie.

Our Love Story

How We Met

In fall 2012, Gheni moved from Texas to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, to begin a new chapter in her life. She was starting her doctoral program at Louisiana State University. As if that wasn’t enough of a challenge, she decided it was also the perfect time to recharge her love life. She decided to try Match.com because she didn’t know many people in town.

Fast forward a few months and a couple of mediocre dates later, Gheni was still single and wondering why it was taking so long to find her “match.” Her subscription to the dating platform was quickly approaching an end when she noticed a cute guy with an attractive profile. Feeling like she had nothing to lose, she gave his picture a like.

He responded by sending her a private message and introducing himself. His name was Brad. With interest on both sides to learn more about each other, the two started chatting regularly online.

First Date

After about a month of chatting online, the time had come to take the next step –- meet in person.

Nervous about whether the two would mesh well in person and the very real possibility that Brad could be a Catfish or worse, Gheni’s bridesmaid Jahri agreed to provide a check-in call during the date with a fake emergency ready to go if needed. Brad and Gheni decided to meet at the Wine Loft, a local wine bar.

Upon their arrival at the bar, both Brad and Gheni were both relieved to confirm that neither was a catfish and the conversation was even better in-person. The date went well enough that when Jahri called to deploy operation end-the-date early, Gheni called off the rescue mission and told her friend she would call her after the date ended. It would be hours before Jahri got that callback.

Brad and Gheni have been inseparable ever since.

Proposal

Gheni was set to graduate with her doctorate on Aug. 3, 2018. While she was excited about closing that chapter and starting a new one, she was equally hopeful about moving to the next phase of her relationship with Brad. Gheni spent the summer planning an epic graduation party with a venue, DJ, caterer and décor. She invited all her family and friends and many of Brad’s, too.

The day of graduation, Brad, like usual, was Gheni’s partner in handling logistics and making sure everything moved smoothly. In the middle of the party, he escorted Gheni to the DJ booth where she was going to make a short speech to her guests. After she finished, Brad took the microphone. Gheni found this move a bit strange because Brad hates all forms of public speaking. Gheni figured he just felt moved to say something given the happy occasion and thought nothing else of Brad’s pending public address.

Imagine her surprise when he not only delivered a loving speech but he also proposed! Gheni was in total shock! Afterward, she learned Brad started making secret proposal plans months earlier, even looping in Jahri and asking Gheni’s parents for her hand in marriage.

Brad wanted their loved ones to be in attendance for this memorable event and the graduation party was the perfect unsuspicious setting. As it turned out, Gheni planned her own engagement party without even knowing it! She ended the day with a new degree and a fiancé! It was indeed a day they will always remember!

First Year of Marriage

Brad and Gheni have spent the last year enjoying this special time in their lives as newlyweds. Working from home during the pandemic provided the happy couple with lots of cherished quality time together. Now that “outside” is slowly reopening, the pair plans to continue enjoying their happily ever after and expanding their travel beyond their backyard.

“You don’t marry someone you can live with–you marry someone you cannot live without.”

-Unknown

Wedding Details

VOW RENEWAL and Reception

The Springs Event Venue
10-08-2021 4:30 p.m.

Both the vow renewal ceremony and reception will take place at The Springs Event Venue in Angleton, Texas.

1950 County Road 220
Angleton, TX 77515

The ceremony starts promptly at 4:30 p.m. CT followed by cocktail hour and a reception. Weather permitting, the ceremony will be held outdoors.

Please note this is an adults-only celebration.

All guests must be 21 and older

“I love her, and that’s the beginning and end of everything.”

-F. Scott Fitzgerald

Wedding Attire

Guests are expected to wear semiformal (black tie optional) attire. For guidance on semiformal attire, please visit one of the websites listed below.

https://www.brides.com/story/wedding-dress-code-explained
https://www.theknot.com/content/what-to-wear-semi-formal

October weather in Texas can be unpredictable but tends to lean toward cooler nights. Keep this in mind when deciding what to wear.

Hotel Accommodations

We secured room blocks at two hotels in Pearland, Texas. Located roughly 30 minutes from the wedding venue and 25 minutes from downtown Houston, the selected hotels are in close proximity to shopping centers, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Courtyard Houston Pearland
11200 Broadway St, Ste. 2000
Pearland, Texas 77584
Rate: $114-$129/ night (group discount rate)

Last Day to Book and Receive the Discount Rate: Sept. 23, 2021

Hilton Garden Inn
12101 Shadow Creek Parkway
Pearland, Texas 77584
Rate:$129/night (group discount rate)

Last Day to Book and Receive the Discount Rate: Sept. 27, 2021

To receive these discounted group rates, please visit our online reservation site to find the required discount codes and booking links.

platenburglewisweddi.appycouple.com

Please find the access code for the website in your invitations

Travel

The wedding venue is a short drive from the Houston-Pearland area, roughly 30 minutes. If you are traveling to Houston via plane, we recommend flying into into William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). Hobby offers several rental car options. Taxis and rideshares are also available.

We want you to eat, drink and be merry at the festivities. Unfortunately, we cannot offer group transportation to and from the venue. Parking is available at the venue. Also, we encourage you to take an Uber or Lyft. Group rides are a great option to share the fares.

You will find a discount for Uber via our wedding reservation site.

Things To Do

Thank you to everyone who is traveling from near and far to share our big day with us! If you have never been to Houston or it has been awhile, we encourage you to stay a few days and enjoy some of our favorite spots. Houston is the fourth largest city in the nation with several attractions and upward of 8,000 restaurants representing cuisine from more than 35 countries and American regions. Enjoy!

TO DO:

TO SHOP:

TO EAT/DRINK

*The operating hours for these venues may be impacted by Covid-19. We suggest you give them a call first.

“In all the world, there is no love for you like mine.”

-Maya Angelou

Social Media

We assembled a few social media hashtags to help capture the excitement before, during and after our big day! Help us keep track of all your photos by using one or more of the hashtags below! #AisleGoWithLewis #ItBradToBeGheni #HappilyEverLewis

Also, feel free to

Wedding Registry

The happy couple is registered at the shops below.

For guests who would like to send e-gift cards, please use the email address gnplatenburg@gmail.com.

Covid-19 Safety

First and foremost, we want all of our guests to be safe and healthy. We are continuing to monitor the coronavirus situation nationally and specifically in the Houston-area.

We plan to take every safety precaution we can on our big day including strategic seating, hand-sanitizing stations and food served by waitstaff.

We will fully determine mask requirements based on CDC guidance closer to the big day. However, regardless of CDC guidance, unvaccinated guests will be required to wear masks.

Keep up with the latest coronavirus mandates in Texas here .

Periodically check our website for any updates.

The Wedding Party

Timberlynn Platenburg

Maid of Honor

Kim Black

Maid of Honor

Jana Demandante

Matron of Honor

Sherika White

Matron of Honor

Monique Harris

Bridesmaid

Camille Doty

Bridesmaid

Jahri Wilson

Bridesmaid

Ron Lewis

Best Man

Navin Denu

Best Man

David Cordell

Groomsman

David Le

Groomsman

Se’ Kou Mosley

Groomsman

Trung Luong

Groomsman

Michael Wallace

Groomsman

Our Wedding Gallery