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Home · Love & Sex

This Couple Said 'I Do' In Philadelphia During The Black Lives Matter Protest

While folks were on the front lines fighting for justice, love still reigned supreme.
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
By Jasmine Grant · Updated December 6, 2020

Across the globe, citizens everywhere have flooded the streets to protest police brutality amid the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and countless other victims. One couple made the bold decision to use this historic time as the backdrop of their wedding, and their powerful wedding photos instantly went viral.

Kerry Anne Gordon, a Jamaica native and OBGYN, and her husband Michael Gordon, a wireless deployment manager originally planned to wed on May 26th of this year, but like many engaged couples, their wedding plans were interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Vogue, the couple found out that The Logan Hotel in Philadelphia was offering garden ceremonies with 25 or less guests for couples whose ceremony had been affected by the pandemic. Knowing that they wanted to be married by this summer, wedding or not, they went for it.

Article continues after video.

Just three days before their ceremony, the Gordons were informed that a peaceful protest would be happening in front of the hotel on their wedding day. Rather than go into panic mode, the bride and groom embraced this as a moment to be apart of history. “We could hear the sounds in the air. We could hear the sounds of the helicopters above us,” Kerry Anne told Vogue. “You could almost feel the energy around you, and in addition to that, we’re about to get married.”

View this post on Instagram

My first in-person elopement since quarantine… It couldn’t be a better @marriedbyrevroxy WEDDING… First looks in the heart of protest…😉 #blacklivesmatter . . . Today’s photographer is @lindamcqueenphotography … photo to follow… . . BRIDE 👰🏾 @callmedoctor.p

A post shared by REV. ROXY (MORRIS) Birchfield (@marriedbyrevroxy) on Jun 6, 2020 at 11:44am PDT

The viral moment was filmed during the couple’s first look, which happened outside of the hotel. As soon as she stepped outside, protesters surrounded the bride with cheers. Michael heard the commotion from around the corner and met her there. “I come running around the corner and I see Kerry standing with a circle of people around her just cheering, and she’s literally standing there looking like a Black princess,” the groom said. “That’s all I see. These peaceful protestors, positive energy, cheering, yelling, people with their phones out taking pictures and videos,” he says.

The couple’s wedding officiant, Reverend Roxanne Birchfield, told ESSENCE what it was like to be apart of such a special day. “Although touching many people in a single moment, I felt like this was my rainbow promise from God – like Noah at the end of the flood,” she said. “This symbolized hope for what is to come for Black people, this generation and beyond. When God comes to bless, it touches everyone.”

Though they initially planned to keep their nuptials a secret until their bigger wedding in 2021, the Gordons are proud to have shared this moment with such a pivotal moment in history. . “The narrative of love, of Black love, doesn’t always get put out there,” Michael said. :But that’s what [the movement] is about, that’s what we’re looking for. Black love is a beautiful thing. Black love exists. Black love is powerful.”

Congratulations to the beautiful couple.

01
True Beauty
Kerry Anne looked like a queen as she got ready for her big day.
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
02
Dressed For Forever
According to Vogue, the bride found her off-the-shoulder wedding gown just two weeks before the wedding.
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
03
A Date With Destiny
The groom looked dapper as he got wedding-day ready at the hotel.
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
04
Black Lives Matter
This moment was epic.
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
05
Black Love
The couple shared their first wedding day kiss as the crowd cheered them on.
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
06
Here Comes The Bride
Simply gorgeous!
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
07
Vows From The Heart
The bride and groom exchanged vows in front 25 family members and friends.
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
08
You May Now Kiss The Bride
What a heart-melting moment.
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
09
The Tribe
Safety was not compromised during the making of this union.
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
10
Fairtytale Ending
This couple looked picture perfect as they continued taking wedding photos in their neighborhood.
This Couple Said ‘I Do’ During The Black Lives Matter Protests
Photo: Linda McQueen/Vogue.com
TOPICS:  behind bridal bliss Black Lives Matter bridal wedding wedding makeup weddings love wedding wedding weddings
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