Crystal and DJ found love at the front desk of Crystal’s job, where DJ was delivering the mail. The pair were married on September 10, 2011 in Hanover, Maryland.
Crystal proudly displays her soon-to-be new name embroidered on a hoodie along with her memorable wedding date of 9/10/11.
The bride’s lovely bouquet of orchids and roses bears a stunning spectrum of purple and lavender blooms.
Crystal’s bridesmaids gave her this personalized hanger to hold her beautiful dress on her big day.
Forgoing the perfect pair of pumps, Crystal decided to wear blinged out Chuck Taylors on her big day. “I’m a jeans and tennis shoes girl,” says Crystal. “I love Converse sneakers and I knew when I got married I was wearing Chucks!”
As DJ gets ready to head down the aisle, he takes a quiet moment to say a prayer with his groomsmen.
“When we first started dating, it was so comfortable. It felt like I had met my best friend,” Crystal says of her instant connection with DJ.
“When I saw Crystal coming down the aisle, I thought she was so beautiful,” said DJ. “I was happy that we were getting married and all of our friends and family were there to see it and witness the day with us.”
DJ shares a loving gaze with his soon-to-be wife as they exchange vows during their traditional ceremony.
“I remember thinking to myself that I never wanted to forget that moment,” Crystal says of her wedding ceremony. “I made sure that I was taking it all in.”
The bride and groom honor their African heritage by “jumping the broom” following their wedding ceremony.
The happy bride beams with joy after saying “I Do!”
DJ and Crystal are such fun-loving people that they decided to have their wedding party dance to “I Feel Good” by James Brown as they exited out of the church after their ceremony. Fun!
The bride and groom head off to the reception where a big party awaits them!
“My favorite part of being married to Crystal is knowing that she’ll always have my back and I’ll always have hers,” said DJ.
The couple shares a special moment with their wedding party.
One thing this laid back couple noticed they had in common is their love for Chuck Taylor sneakers. “I have nearly every color ever made!” said Crystal.
The bride glows in her beautiful Watters and Watters Collection wedding dress and flowing mid-length veil. “It’s true what they say— as soon as I tried on this dress I knew it was ‘The One,’” gushes the beaming bride.
“My bridesmaids were a combination of my sorority sisters and my best friends,” said Crystal who shares a fun moment with her bridal party.
“Since I plan events for a living, I always wanted a small destination wedding, but DJ is so connected to his church family, that it was important we got married at his home church,” said Crystal.
“My hostesses were such a huge part of my support system,” says Crystal. "I wouldn’t have been able to pull this off without them.
We love the upbeat energy that Crystal’s photos exude!
“I’m so happy that I married Crystal,” said DJ. “The whole day was perfect and I know our lives together will have even more wonderful memories.”
Not only did Crystal enjoy her day in Chucks, but she ordered custom sneakers for her bridal party, too! Cute!
The beaming bride glows alongside her bridal party before the reception.
Crystal is an event planner and her decorating skills were in full effect at her fun-filled reception!
Crystal’s place cards doubled as gift boxes filled with Ringpops candy for her guests.
The couple ordered custom lighting to illuminate their dance floor with their initials, wedding date and the phrase, “Eat, Drink, and Be Married.” Love that!
Crystal designed her table decor and made the centerpieces herself. “I’m definitely a creative, DIY person,” said Crystal. “I ordered the branches for the centerpieces and my girls helped me spray paint and decorate them. At one point, we had an assembly going!”
Crystal enjoys a special moment on the dance floor with her father at her fabulous reception.
Crystal, who is adopted, was reunited with her biological father a few years ago and invited him to be a special part of her big day.
The couple’s menu cards feature a few fun photos of the pair set inside stand-up frames. We love this idea!
The couple’s cake table featured framed photos of Crystal and DJ’s mothers, who both passed away during the year prior to their wedding. “When my mother passed, Crystal was by my side every step of the way,” says DJ. “That’s when I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her.”
The couple’s diamond and white gold wedding bands symbolize their undying love for each other.
“Our wedding was definitely one big party!” said Crystal. “Towards the end of the night, I lost all of my pretty. We danced the entire night through!”
All of that dancing wore these newlyweds out! The couple takes a load off at the end of their party perfect day!
