Connie and Elliott were married by her father on their “Ultimate Date Night,” Friday, June 27, 2008, at Martin’s Crossroads in Greenbelt, Maryland, at 7 P.M.
“We wrote our own vows,” Connie shares. "He spoke about how we entered our relationship with respect and will govern our lives together with that same respect. It was beautiful.”
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The gorgeous bride surveys her David’s Bridal ivory and cream lace gown moments before the ceremony.
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Elliott, left, poses playfully in the mirror with his son just moments before meeting the love of his life at the altar.
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The blushing bride gets the finishing touch before making her way down the aisle in front of 150 loving guests.
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Connie’s daughters and the surrounding guests look on eagerly as the bride takes her final walk as a single woman.
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Members of the bridal party look on in tears as Connie makes her way to the altar.
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“I lean on God for everything,” reveals Connie, who has been saved for more than 16 years. “I prayed for a husband that would be my best friend, love my children as his own and love me without conditions. He sent me that and more when he brought me and my best friend together.”
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Connie and Elliott prepare to seal their eternal pledge to one another with a kiss. Even today, Connie shares she still gets butterflies when she hears her husband’s name.
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The groom gazes lovingly at his soul mate during the ceremony. After reading his vows and facing their guests, he told Connie, “I knew I’d found my life partner [in you].”
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The bride describes her wedding and marriage as an abundant source of happiness. “I am experiencing love and marriage in such a fulfilling way,” shares Connie. “In a way that I didn’t know existed and never thought it would for me.”
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“I wanted the people who shared through my 14 years of struggle to see me in my happiness,” says Connie. “My best friend, the maid of honor, and my sister, the matron of my honor, were there to hear my tales of woe. They helped me to grow stronger and believe in myself. I had to have them right by my side on my wedding day.”
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With prayer, patience and a true partnership, the couple says they were prepared for the challenge of uniting their families. “We have a blended family of five wonderful, bright children and we make it work as a team,” says Connie, pictured here with her new extended family.
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The couple captures their love in a beautiful photograph placed on the reception floor on their wedding day. With a smile, Connie explains that years later, their love still hasn’t faded. “He calls me until this day and leaves me wonderful messages. He does this on a daily basis. Those things warm my heart.”
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Admittedly not a fashionista, Connie still shopped everywhere from David’s Bridal to Nordstrom to achieve the perfect look for her bridesmaids.
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The groomsmen take a picture at the beautiful venue. Despite Elliott’s sober expression here, Connie says he loves that she makes him laugh. “I do silly things to make him chuckle; and I take care of him, not because I have to, but because I want to see him smile.”
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“When something would go wrong in my life I would call Elliott crying and he was always there,” Connie says of her new husband. “He still is my very best friend.”
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The beautiful bride wore a stunning strapless David’s Bridal gown with beaded appliqué designed by Michelle Lui. For a unique touch, she had pearls and crystals from her jewelry placed on her handmade headpiece created by Vivian Pollard from the Beatles Workshop.
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The beautiful bride takes a moment to pose with the youngest members of the bridal party, whose adorable dresses were found at Nordstrom.
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The loving couple steal a kiss while guests mingle and party in the background.
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Connie recalls wanting every detail from the cake to the dress to be a joyous representation of their love. “I didn’t have any reservations about going all out for my second wedding,” explains Connie. I wanted to have a party because it’s a celebration of he and I.”
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The newlyweds, who often go out dancing on “Date Night,” wanted their first dance to feel natural to them. “We don’t slow dance. We bop and do hand dances, so why not do that at the wedding?” says Connie of their upbeat dance to a medley which included Jeffrey Osbourne’s “Love Ballad.” “Eliott’s great at dancing. I kind of hang on to him,” she admits with a smile. “We always have fun.”
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A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Connie says her sisters rallied around her for encouragement during the difficult times, even if they didn’t know every detail of her struggle. “Their support helped me come out on the other side,” she shares.
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“They had to kick us out at 11:30 P.M.,” Connie says with a laugh. “We were still dancing and carrying on. Everyone had a great time.”
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“My daughters—Savannah, Andrea and Lindsey—gave me away. When asked, ‘Who gives this woman to be married to this man?’ they answered, ‘We do,’” recalls Connie.
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“There’s no one I’d rather be with,” Connie says of the love of her life. “He’s right there whenever I’m not feeling well. He anticipates my need and takes care of it. I can talk to him about anything. And we still do romantic things even now like holding hands and flirting.”
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