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.
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.
As part of their pre-wedding photo shoot, Chari and Carlton rolled around in the sand circa Chris Isaaks’ “Wicked Game” music video.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
The wedding’s floral arrangements were created by Al Davis at Pistils and Petals in Miami Beach, FL.
“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.”
“He’s so loving and caring,” Chari gushes about her husband. “He makes me feel like I’m the only person for him.”
The bride takes a quiet moment to take in Miami’s breathtaking scenery before heading down the aisle.
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.
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.”
The Fontainebleau married the spectacle of the ocean and the glamor of South Beach for one perfect wedding destination.
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.”
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.
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.
Chari and Carlton fist pump in celebration of their change of status.
Chari acknowledges that she and Carlton have had a lot of help through the years from their parents and extended family.
The newlyweds swayed to the sounds of Maxwell’s “Fortunate,” for their first dance as husband and wife.
“She just had this glow about her,” Carlton says of his initial assessment of Chari. “It drew me to her.”
“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.”
After the reception, the wedding party ran into Collins Avenue on South Beach and popped some bubbly.
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.
“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.”
All photography by Keith Cephus, keithcephus.com.
To see more of this gorgeous wedding, click here.
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.
