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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Chari and Carlton

Bridal Bliss: Chari and Carlton
By · April 13, 2010October 29, 2020
01
Sweet 16

In 1993, Chari Brooks and Carlton Horton met in their ninth grade P.E. class. On July 11, 2010, nearly sixteen years after their first encounter in the high school gym, the two got hitched at Fontainebleau resort in Miami, Florida, knowing their love is eternal.

02
Fly Times

Chari and Carlton spent a few days before their wedding in Miami living the jetsetter lifestyle. Their photographer Keith Cephus took a few snap shots of the couple on a helicopter ride.

03
Beach Bums

As part of their pre-wedding photo shoot, Chari and Carlton rolled around in the sand circa Chris Isaaks’ “Wicked Game” music video.

04
Beauty Beat

Chari’s and her bridesmaids’ flawless looks were created by makeup artist Candice Harris Rauch.

The bride’s hair was styled by Tracy Johnson of Allure the Salon.

Photography: Keith Cephus
05
Bridal Remix

Chari’s Sonnia Chollette gown was redesigned by her wedding seamstress Betty Jefferson who changed the back of the dress, adding lace.

“Never settle for something you don’t like,” Chari advises to brides who want to change details on their gowns.

Photography: Keith Cephus
06
Inspired By the Sea

Chari originally planned to have her wedding in Cancun and chose the Caribbean blue bridesmaids gowns for the feel of the seaside town. Luckily, the turquoise worked as brilliantly in Miami as it would have in Mexico.

Photography: Keith Cephus
07
A Good Girlfriend

“You have to have those people with you that are going to do things for you and tell you, ’don’t worry,’” says Chari, who had a small army of close friends by her side on her wedding day.

Photography: Keith Cephus
08
Fresh Flowers

The wedding’s floral arrangements were created by Al Davis at Pistils and Petals in Miami Beach, FL.

Photography: Keith Cephus
09
It’s Your Day

“Make sure you’re going with what you want and not somebody else’s vision,” Chari reminds brides. “There’s nothing about my wedding that I would change.”

Photography: Keith Cephus
10
Lover Boy

“He’s so loving and caring,” Chari gushes about her husband. “He makes me feel like I’m the only person for him.”

Photography: Keith Cephus
11
On Top of the World

The bride takes a quiet moment to take in Miami’s breathtaking scenery before heading down the aisle.

Photography: Keith Cephus
12
Get Involved

Carlton says he chose the suits for him and his groomsmen to wear on his wedding day. He also picked out a casual shirt for the men to change into for the wedding reception.

Photography: Keith Cephus
13
Father Son Time

Carlton and the couple’s son Amir get ready for the festivities.

“He’s the best father ever,” Chari says of her new hubby. “There’s nothing he wouldn’t do with Amir.”

Photography: Keith Cephus
14
Breathtaking

The Fontainebleau married the spectacle of the ocean and the glamor of South Beach for one perfect wedding destination.

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Photography: Keith Cephus
15
World’s Best Son

The couple’s son Amir was Carlton’s Jr. Best Man.

“He’s like our best friend,” Chari says of her son. “We couldn’t ask for a better son. He had ball in Miami and even gave us a speech.”

Photography: Keith Cephus
16
Spectacular

Chari remembers that Carlton teared up a little bit as he watched her walk toward him on their wedding day while guests cheered her on down the aisle.

Photography: Keith Cephus
17
Custom Made

The newlyweds designed each other’s rings. Chari’s ring featured a princess diamond surrounded on each side by baguettes in a scroll design along with channel-set princess cut diamonds on both sides. Carlton’s platinum band features two karats of channel-set princess-cut diamonds.

Photography: Keith Cephus
18
Put Your Hands Up

Chari and Carlton fist pump in celebration of their change of status.

Photography: Keith Cephus
19
It Takes A Village

Chari acknowledges that she and Carlton have had a lot of help through the years from their parents and extended family.

Photography: Keith Cephus
20
The Lucky Ones

The newlyweds swayed to the sounds of Maxwell’s “Fortunate,” for their first dance as husband and wife.

Photography: Keith Cephus
21
Magnetic Aura

“She just had this glow about her,” Carlton says of his initial assessment of Chari. “It drew me to her.”

Photography: Keith Cephus
22
The Good Guy

“There’s nothing that he won’t do for me,” Chari proudly says of Carlton. “He’s my best friend. He’s there to back me and support me always.”

Photography: Keith Cephus
23
We Pop Champagne

After the reception, the wedding party ran into Collins Avenue on South Beach and popped some bubbly.

Photography: Keith Cephus
24
Bag Lady

Unsatisfied with the gift bags they were finding, Chari and Carlton found these brightly-colored straw totes at a local shop in Virginia Beach, VA.

Photography: Keith Cephus
25
For a Lifetime

“We have a better connection and we’re closer overall, but I think being married hasn’t changed what we do for each other,” Chari explains. “He’s been the person that I’ve loved forever.”

Photography: Keith Cephus
26
Snap Shots

All photography by Keith Cephus, keithcephus.com.

To see more of this gorgeous wedding, click here.

Photography: Keith Cephus
27
Sweet 16

In 1993, Chari Brooks and Carlton Horton met in their ninth grade P.E. class. On July 11, 2010, nearly sixteen years after their first encounter in the high school gym, the two got hitched at Fontainebleau resort in Miami, Florida, knowing their love is eternal.

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