“I knew he was the one for me when Alain would come to visit me at my dad’s house just to say hello,” says beaming bride Peace. “He would make every effort to spend time with me. Even if it was to sit down next to me as I studied for a test in the library.”
Peace’s stunning updo only complemented her gorgeous strapless gown more.
Peace carried Victorian-themed details throughout her wedding day to stay true to the romantic theme she and Alain chose.
“Being a bride was exactly what I imagined,” says Peace. “It was dreamy and magical and I felt like Cinderella.”
“My florist Black Dahlia was a breath of fresh air,” says Peace. “She was very attentive and paid close attention to all the little details I added. I am a very specific bride; I handpicked each flower to show a garden Victorian appearance still within the wedding colors.”
“I knew she was the one when I first laid eyes on her at Starbucks where we first met,” says Alain.
Alain had his suit custom tailored so he would look flawless for his wife-to-be on their wedding day.
Peace couldn’t choose just one little flower girl on her big day. Adorable!
“I accepted Alain’s proposal because I knew that he would go to the edge of the world and back for me,” says Peace.
The groomsman’s dapper attire for the big day was purchased at Men’s Warehouse.
When Alain laid eyes on his bride for the very first time on their wedding day he was blown away with joy and excitement.
Sisterhood and love were in abundance with Peace and her bridesmaids, who wore rose dresses from After Six.
The happy couple and their bridal party posed for pretty portraits in the garden.
“I planned my wedding by myself, with help from some great friends and some of my bridesmaids,” says the bride. “They helped me with some of my bulk DIY projects too.”
“My maids of honor were my sister and my close friend,” says Peace. “My bridal party was made up of my close female friends and family members and four lovely flower girls.”
“My wedding ceremony and reception were held at the Westbury Manor,” Peace shares. “I chose Westbury Manor because I love the Victorian era setting. It was unique and had character. Plus, peacocks roamed the outside grounds. It combined those thing an Old Age ambiance all rolled into one.”
Peace and Alain encouraged their friends and family to pick a seat not a side because they were becoming one big happy family.
Lanterns lined the aisle as the bride prepared to meet her groom at the altar.
“On my wedding day I saved my mother a seat,” says Peace. “I had her picture frame sitting where she would have sat.” Peace’s mother passed away, but this was a beautiful way to pay tribute to her on the couple’s special day.
One hundred and thirty guests attended the couple’s garden ceremony.
We just love the bridesmaids’ one-shouldered rose gowns. Don’t you?
“One of my favorite wedding memories was when I walked down the aisle, escorted by my father, and I saw the look on Alain’s face,” says Peace.
“Looking into his eyes at the altar, I felt like I was home and that it was right,” says Peace.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Calixte make their way back down the aisle!
“She and I share the same values about life, family and career,” says Alain. “We may have some differences, however, the differences are what connect us to each other and complement our personalities.”
“What I love most about Peace is her dedication to whatever she sets her mind on, and her ‘go getter’ attitude,” says Alain.
“Yes, I knew one day by God’s grace somehow I would find true love,” says Alain. “I wasn’t sure how or when, but I was hopeful that I would.”
Peace and Alain played Chris Brown’s “Don’t Wake Me Up” as they made their grand entrance into their reception party.
“I love for flowers to have great texture, a vintage look and greens, which are the reasons why I chose dusty millers, stock, garden roses, queen ann lace and chrysanthemums for the centerpieces and bouquets,” Peace explains. Her Victorian-themed wedding reception was expertly executed.
Calling all Twilight fans. Peace and Alain danced their first dance to Christina Perri’s “A Thousand Years,” which scored the final film in the series’ uber romantic ending.
“My wedding cake was a fondant ivory cake, with pearls draped over the top and a Victorian cameo in the middle,” says Peace. “I chose a strawberry and banana filling with vanilla cake and canoli with chocolate chips filling.” Yum!
Pearl and lace accents helped the couple create a romantic Victorian-era ambiance throughout their tablescapes.
There was an abundance of sweets to go around for the couple’s honored guests.
“I am Nigerian so we changed into native outfits in the middle of the reception,” says Peace. We love a good wedding outfit change, especially when the bride and the groom get in on the fun.
“I loved every moment of that day, I was so happy to be in that moment I did not want it to end,” says Peace. “I danced so much.”
Peace and Alain left for a honeymoon in Greece two days after they exchanged “I dos.” See more of the couple’s Victorian wedding style over at The Bride’s Cafe. Want to see your wedding featured in 2014? Email us now.