Former co-workers Melissa and Abiola found true love on the job, and discovered forever in each other. See their fun, romantic beach wedding.
Melissa wore a custom gown she had designed just for her special day.
Abiola proposed to his ladylove Melissa on Mother’s Day.
Although Melissa walked barefoot down the aisle, she had these elegant heels on hand for her reception party.
“My king is strong, spiritual, respectful, and loving,” says Melissa.
Modern bride Melissa carried a wedding cufff by Diann Valentine down the aisle.
“I chose her to be my queen because in her presence is where I am complete,” says Abiola. “She is open-minded to my dreams and aspirations. She encourages my growth and achievement.”
“Each bridesmaid chose their own style,” Melissa explains. “We kept the dresses light and white.”
“Abi completes me,” says Melissa. “His spiritual view on life keeps me calm when my emotions run high and helps me see life from a positive yet realistic perspective.”
Even the fellas wore all white to match the ladies and the guests on the big day.
Everyone looked amazing in their all-white attire.
Close to 50 people attended the couple’s wedding.
“Both my father and stepfather walked me down the aisle,” says the bride. “They have played significant roles in making me the woman I am today.”
Melissa walked down the aisle to Kem’s “Saving My Love For You.”
“We wrote our own vows,” says Melissa. “Abi did a freestyle that moved me so much. I had prepared my vows almost a year in advance. When it was time to share, I only said a fraction of what I wanted to say.”
“I felt like I was the only one that mattered,” says Melissa. “He made me feel like his empress.”
There were lots of little ones in their wedding part. “Our daughter Maliyah Yearwood and goddaughter Paige Lindsay were flower girls, and our son Malakai Yearwood was ring ring bearer,” adds the bride.
“We made this a wedding week where all events took place in the Dominican Republic,” says the bride.
The couple tied the knot during an outdoor ceremony that began in the early evening.
“We were married under a pergola, in the sand with white chairs,” says Melissa. “Since the location we chose was elevated, the tranquil blue water and beautiful sky were our backdrop. We did not have a lot of décor because of that.”
“We both love the water, sun, and sand,” says the bride. “We wanted to share this moment in a place that neither one of us had visited before. We decided to make it a destination wedding because we love our Caribbean culture and wanted to be able to celebrate our love by incorporating some of those things that make us who we are.”
For their first dance, the couple chose John Legend’s “So High.”
The couple chose an island theme for their reception to make the transition seamless.
The newlyweds and their closest friends and family partied into the night to celebrate the magic of the day.
Yeah! We love everything about this photo. Don’t you?
Did Melissa think she would find true love when she did? “Not in the least,” she says. “My focus was partying and traveling, and before I knew it, I was in love.”
“I believed that I would find my queen,” says Abiola. “I had no idea my journey would have unfolded in this manner, but that’s what makes it even sweeter.”
“Her spirit radiates through her smile and personality,” says Abiola. “It was one of the very first traits that I acknowledged—that love of life, people, culture and travel.”
Abiola says he believes life is truly what you make it. “I love his attitude on life,” adds his wife.
“My queen is an honest, trustworthy, courteous and compassionate woman,” says Abiola.
Join us as we congratulate the newlyweds on their wedding bliss. Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us now.
