View exclusive photos from Lakisha’s wedding ceremony and reception »
Luther Vandross’s classic “Here and Now” resounded throughout the Beverly Hills Wilshire Hotel as former “American Idol” contestant LaKisha Jones walked down an aisle of red roses to her groom on their special day.
On Sunday, October 5, Jones, who costarred on Broadway in “The Color Purple,” married Larry Davis, a financial adviser from Houston, before about 60 guests, including her former “Idol” contestants Sanjaya Malakar, Melinda Doolittle, Gina Glocksen and Haley Scarnato. The couple’s pastor, Dr. Ed Montgomery, flew in from Abundant Life Cathedral Church in Houston, to preside over the wedding.
In true Hollywood fashion, the black-and-white ceremony was glam-chic. She wore a quarter of a million dollars worth of diamonds, including earrings, a necklace and bracelet donated by jeweler Neil Lane. The designer of choice was Alfred Angelo for the bride, flower girl (Jones’s 5-year-old daughter, Brionne Stevens) and three bridesmaids.
Jones’s white, strapless, sapphire-beaded gown and its semi-cathedral train was complemented by white, satin, peep-toe pumps with a satin rose and Swarovski crystals by Stuart Weitzman, a custom-made gift from the designer, whose shoes Jones often wore during her “Idol” days. Weitzman personalized her shoes by accenting her silver heels with Swarovski crystals and blue crystals on the bottom of the shoe for her “something blue,” with a blue inscription of the couple’s initials and wedding date.
The 6-foot, 6-inch-tall Davis, who towers over his 5-foot, 1-inch-tall bride, proposed to Jones four months after meeting her in February through a mutual friend. He presented Jones with his deceased mother’s Louis Vuitton purse, which held a 4.5-carat Zales diamond and card that read: “Happy today. Happy together. Happy forever. From Mr. to Mrs.”
“There’s not just one thing I love about my wife,” said Davis, 30, who also enjoys ballroom dancing with his special lady. “I love her heart, feisty and fun spirit, and the way she supported and loved me through a difficult time in my life.”
After the ceremony, guests were ushered to the rooftop to witness the newlyweds’ first dance to the Isley Brothers’ “Heaven Hooked Us Up.” Then the groom, who lost his mother, Stephanie Davis, to cancer in May, danced with his mother-in-law, Beverly Jefferson, to Natalie Cole’s “I Wish You Love.” Later, LaKisha joined her mom for a dance to The Temptations’ “My Girl.”
As family and friends danced the night away, Jones took a breather to smile and reflect on her blessed union. “People might say we did everything too soon, but no one can ever tell you what your heart feels, and when the time is right to have those feelings,” said Jones. “I saw the way my husband took care of his mom when she became ill and he’s the most kind, patient and sweet-spirited man I know. We’re trying to do what’s right by God and what’s in our hearts, so I’m looking forward to a long and wonderful life together.”
Jones’s first single, “So Glad I’m Me,” from her self-titled debut is scheduled to hit the airwaves on Oct. 21.