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Three hundred guests traveled to Charlotte, North Carolina, to celebrate the lavish nuptials of New Orleans Hornet Chris Paul, 26, and his college sweetheart, Jada Crawley, 27. Aunties and cousins mingled with celebs and NBA superstars, including groomsman LeBron James. “Chris and Jada are like an extension of my family,” says James. “He’s like the brother I never had. I’m here for him no matter what — and not only for Chris but also Lil’ Chris and Jada.”
Support from friends and family has been a blessing for the couple. “Chris and I just are hometown, everyday people,” reveals Jada, who met Chris at a basketball tournament in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, during her sophomore year in college. “She used to wear Jordans,” recalls Chris fondly. “Jada was with me when I was broke.” Even so, Chris sometimes had to check family members when he first started dating Jada. “Sometimes they gave me the side-eye like, Is she here for the right reasons? But Chris stood up for me,” says Jada. “It made us stronger.”
That bond was strengthened even more with the birth of their son, Chris II, now 2. “People can say, ‘They had a baby out of wedlock,’ ” says Jada. “But when I got pregnant, Chris’ clubbing came to a halt because he wanted to be a good father. And being a good father meant being a better boyfriend.” Chris concurs: “Becoming parents made us closer.”
Chris proposed to his beloved in the same gymnasium where they met. R&B star Robin Thicke serenaded Jada as she walked down the aisle with her father, and guests gushed about the David Tutera–decorated reception. The bride wore Vera Wang, and the groom and their son wore Ralph Lauren. LaLa Anthony, who attended with hubby Carmelo, summed up what seemed to be on everyone’s mind: “Anytime two people who have been together that long, who are that in love and who are great parents... I can’t do anything but be happy for them."
Bridgette Bartlett is a contributor for ESSENCE.com. Follow her on Twitter @blkbridalblliss
Chris Paul and Jada's Crawley's wedding is featured in the November issue of ESSENCE magazine, on newsstands now.
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