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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Love You For Life

After years of friendship, Maryland residents Ayana and Duriel took the leap of love. The college sweethearts made the ultimate pledge of their lives to each other on July 4, 2009 at the Glenview Mansion in Rockville, MD.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
02
Beauty Before Pleasure

Ayana was happy to have friends and family to help her on her wedding day. One of her best friends did the makeup for the whole bridal party while a nurse she used to work with took control of the hair.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
Photography: Kate Headley
03
Make It Happen

Ayana spotted her dream dress online. When she couldn’t find it anywhere, she bought material in Trinidad and had her favorite seamstress in Maryland replicate it. She also made her vintage-inspired scalloped veil.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
04
Can’t Buy You Love

In the end, the beautiful bride spent a total of $1100—$800 for her seamstress and $300 for the material—on her dress, a mere fraction of what a bridal gown costs these days.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
05
Feeling Blue

Duriel and one of his groomsmen are Sigmas, so naturally they wanted blue incorporated into the wedding. Luckily the blue of their vests complemented the bridesmaids’ purple dresses so well, it was a natural fit.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
Photography: Kate Headley
06
Frienship Jewelry

In appreciation of all of their help, Ayana surprised her bridesmaids with engraved bracelets for them to wear down the aisle.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
07
Melodies of Love

Ayana played the steel drum, which originated in Trinidad and Tobago, all through high school. She found a group of siblings to play Stevie Wonder’s “Isn’t She Lovely” on the pans while her parents escorted her down the aisle.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
08
A Time to Remember

Since they had already exchanged rings once before, Anaya surprised Duriel with a second ring on their wedding day. The band was engraved with all of the couple’s most significant dates including one future milestone—their 50th anniversary.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
09
Gift of Love

Duriel returned the favor by having a bracelet delivered to Ayana’s room while she got ready.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
10
Love’s Embrace

The newlyweds hold each other after being declared “husband and wife.”

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
11
Freshen Up

The wedding’s food and refreshments were catered by Maryland Country Caterers, whom Ayana used to work for. They created a signature drink—the Golden Sunset—that incorporated tropical guava and sweet cherries, for the wedding.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
12
Secret Garden

The newlyweds sneak away for a little post-wedding smooching session.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
13
Cheers to You

Ayana’s loyal bridesmaids sip their Golden Sunsets while they cheer on their best friend’s new union.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
Photography: Kate Headley
14
Living Life Like It’s Golden

Ayana and Duriel entered their reception hall as husband and wife to the sounds of Jill Scott’s “Golden” to celebrate Ayana’s recent name change.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
Photography: Kate Headley
15
Bailamos!

The spontaneous husband and wife switched it up on guests by strutting to Salsa, Bachata and Merengue for their first dance. They learned the steps at Pure Lounge on U street in Washington D.C.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
Photography: Kate Headley
16
Weakness for Sweetness

Ayana’s aunt made a bunch of traditional cakes (13 all together) from Trinidad and Tobago for the wedding reception. They surrounded a beautiful waterfall centerpiece with floating purple bubbles, that Ayana’s caterers assembled.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
Photography: Kate Headley
17
Dance For Your Money

Adding a touch of African tradition, the couple had sashes made with the embroidery “Mrs. Golden” and “Mr. Golden” that wedding guests pinned money to as the new husband and wife did a jig.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
Photography: Kate Headley
18
Perfect View

With the clear sky in background, guests gather round to take shots of the gorgeous bride on the balcony of the Glenview Mansion.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
Photography: Kate Headley
19
Lovely Day

Even as the night winds down, Ayana is still filled with the spirit of love.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
Photography: Kate Headley
20
Photo Op

Ayana and Duriel took some extra shots two days after their wedding day at the National Harbor. The newlyweds coo and kiss for the camera on the waterfront.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
21
Something Blue

The couple’s photographer donated these gorgeous hydrangeas to the shoot.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
22
Military Man

Duriel is in the Marine Reserves, and reports for training one weekend a month. Ayana finds her man in uniform simply irresistible.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
23
Soldier of Love

The new wife salutes her fellow officer in the battle of love.

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
24
Lifetime of Love

“We’ve done so much to get to this point,” Ayana sighs. “and there’s so much more life that we have together.”

Bridal Bliss: Ayana and Duriel
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