Our Wedding Day

We are so excited to share with you an exclusive behind the scenes look of our Wedding Day! From the very start I knew I wanted something different and non-traditional. I also wanted it to be classy and elegant. So the theme was modern chic and the venue was the gorgeous Ashton Gardens. With ballrooms to die for, tons of beautiful chandeliers, and enormous windows everywhere, we were able to capture my dream wedding in one location. Served chef meals, a special bride & groom choreographed dance, and a surprise bridal party line dance was all incorporated in this non-traditional wedding! It was such a fabulous breathtaking experience!

[wc_highlight color=”gray”]Quick Facts:[/wc_highlight]

Wedding Date: 10/10/2015

Wedding Location: Ashton Gardens

Wedding Theme: Modern Chic

Wedding Colors: Black & White with a touch of Gold

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Wedding Menu: 1) Lemon Dill Grilled Salmon, Fingerling Potato Cake, Shaved Fennel, Sauteed Green Beans, Provencal Herb Jus 2) Parmesan Panko Crusted Chicken Breast, Creamy Risotto, Market Fresh Seasonal Vegetables, Chardonnay Roasted Tomato Basil Sauce

First Dance Song: Vivian Green’s “Get Right Back to my Baby”

Bridal Party Dance Song: Chris Brown’s “Fine China”

Bridesmaids Gifts: Wedding Jumpsuits, Personalized Wine Glasses, Survival Kit (wine, gum, bride & groom chocolates, lip balm)

Groomsmen Gifts: Wedding Vests, Ties, Michael Kors Shirts, Personalized Beer Mugs, Surival Kit (wine, gum, bride & groom chocolates, lip balm)

Wedding Style:

The style was modern chic. I’m far from old fashion and like setting my own trend and doing my own thing. My dress was custom made because I wanted something different that no one had worn before. I wanted it to be sexy, elegant, and trendy. Lace dresses are the trend now so I got a dress with brown lace, the color of my skin, with white beadings covering my private parts of the top of the gown. The bottom was made of satin and incorporated a long train. I wanted a dress that was very fitting. I also had a custom jeweled bouquet made to go with my dress. In addition, I had my bridesmaids in JUMPSUITS and my guys in VESTS with skinny ties. I even changed my outfit and put on a JUMPSUIT for the reception! I wanted everything to be modern and non-traditional! It’s time out with the old fashion traditions! I’m also obsessed with stripes so I tried to incorporate stripes everywhere from the groomsmen ties, the bridesmaid’s bouquets, the programs, menus, to the invitations!

Best Memory:

From the Bride:

My best memory was when I was saying my vows and said “If you’d asked me 5 years ago where I would be, I never would’ve imagined I would be standing here marring my bodyguard” and he turned to the audience and flexed his muscles! Everyone was so tickled and touched. It was so sweet and reaffirmed exactly why I was marrying him. He always had a way of making me smile.

From the Groom:

My best memory was when the security guard opened the double doors and I saw Angel standing there. Jamie Foxx’s “The Day I Married my Angel” was playing. My heart was pumping and I heard my best man say ‘Simmer Down.’ I felt estatic and I couldn’t stop smiling. That was the moment which I realized I REALLY was marring my Angel.

The Best Wedding Advice to engaged couples?

A couple things!

First and foremost, remember that the wedding is about you and no one else! Everyone is going to have their opinions and inputs, but remember everyone gets their own chance at planning their own wedding and this one is about you and your fiancé, so focus on what you guys want!

Secondly, if you’re planning a wedding at a venue and have to pay per person in attendance, keep the guestlist limited! Make sure to stick to your budget! No matter how much you love everyone, how many friends and family you have, and how much you want everyone there, there’s no sense in going into debt just for everyone to be there! Don’t go into debt! If you don’t have it, don’t spend it! You may have people mad, but remember the bill is coming to YOU (or your parents if you’re lucky), thus you need to only focus on those who are near and dear to your heart. If they love you, they’ll understand. We had plenty of people who wasn’t on the guestlist, but sent so much love & gifts our way in celebration of our love. Those people truly & genuinely love you! Speaking of budgets, pick one thing that is the most important to you. Everything else becomes secondary. You want to walk away from the wedding debt free with sigh of relief!

Lastly, REMEMBER TO EAT! No sense in paying all that money for the food and not getting a chance to enjoy it! Yes people will want to take pictures, but EAT FIRST then greet your guests and mix and mingle. I’m SOOOOO glad a few couples had told us that beforehand. So I’m passing on the advice! We are so glad we did!

Vendors:

Shoes: Giuseppe Zanotti

Photographer: Tasley Taylor

Videogrpaher: NMG Memories

Floral Design & Styling: Wilene Gadsen, Silk Bridals, Julie Williams Silks

DJ: DJ Qwest

Watch our Wedding Dance and our Bridal Party Dance