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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Lovers and Friends

Dana Dillon-Townes and Nonye Onyewu met while studying at Virginia Tech. The two were friends first, but their love blossomed over Sunday dinners at another student’s home. This summer, after nine years together, the couple tied the knot in a fabulous affair.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
02
A Date to Remember

The couple said “I Do” at St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Portsmouth, Virginia on July 31, 2010. The reception was held at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel and the wedding was planned with the help of Antonia Christianson, www.antoniachristiansonevents.com

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
03
The Shoes Have It

Dana Dana shut it down with her shoes on her wedding day. She walked down the aisle in a pair of satin, magenta peep-toe Christian Louboutin heels. We saw a few red-bottoms at weddings this year. This pair may be our fave!

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
04
Second Time Around

Dana kept this pair of blue sandals to change into for her reception outfit.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
05
Make Me Over

Kim Wadsworth, www.kimwadsworth.com, kept it fairly simple for Dana’s wedding day, emphasizing her eyes with a touch of shadow and luscious lashes.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
06
Have a Little Help

One of the perks of working at L’Oreal is you get to hire the experts you work with to primp you for your wedding. Dana’s friend Siddeeqah Raoof, the testing director for Redken, came down to Virgina from New York to make sure Dana’s hairstyle was perfect.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
07
Shades of Love

Dana’s florists Lee Snyder and Bobo Smith created a bridal bouquet filled with an array of warm shades like lavender, violet, rose, fuchsia and magenta.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
08
Going to the Chapel

Dana and her dad prepare to be is whisked away to the church.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
09
So Proud

Dana’s father stares at his soon-to-be-wed daughter with pride and happiness.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
10
Waiting For You

Nonye waited patiently for his bride to arrive.

“It’s really exciting to start a new life with Nonye,” Dana says.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Elise Theuer Photography
11
Lookin’ Good Guys

Nonye had a crew of good looking men by his side as he headed down the aisle.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
12
Roses are Red

Red rose ball bouquets were hung on the church pews for a touch of color.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
13
Love, Actually

“When she started walking down I thought, ‘Hey. This is really about to happen,’” Nonye says.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
14
Daddy Dearest

“My dad is a very emotional person,” Dana says. “He was holding back tears.”

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
15
Customary

Dana and Nonye had a traditional Catholic wedding and read traditional vows.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
16
Togetherness

The bride and groom lit a unity candle to signify their joining together in holy matrimony.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
17
Sweet Kiss

Always a joker, Nonye pulled out lip balm to coat his lips before planting a kiss on his bride.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
18
Everybody, Everybody

Both Dana and Nonye expressed how overwhelmed they were by having so many people — nearly 600 guests — to support them on their wedding day.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
19
Life With You

“Life is much more forward-looking now,” Dana says. “It seems much calmer.”

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
20
Got Me Feeling Higher

“I’m always trying to better myself and having somebody that feels the same way about herself is a plus.”

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
21
Sweet Treat

Each of Dana and Nonye’s guests took home chocolates from chocolatier Vosges Haut Chocolate.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
22
It’s in the Flowers

The warm colors featured in Dana’s bouquet also filled the reception hall at the Portsmouth Renaissance Hotel as each table featured a gorgeous, full floral arrangement as its centerpiece.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
23
Patti Cake, Patti Cake

Dana raved that her and Nonye’s wedding cake was “amazing!” Nonye picked out the whimsical design for the five-tiered yellow cake with lemon filling, created by Emily Patti at Patti Cakes in North Carolina, www.patticakesinc.net

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
24
Fun and Games

Wedding guests tried their luck at trivia questions to see how well they really knew the bride and groom.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
25
Celebrate Tradition

Nonye’s family is Nigerian. Many of the guests wore the traditional dresses and headpieces.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
26
My Hero

Dana and her father were all smiles as they danced to “Hero” by Mariah Carey.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
27
Love Crept In

All the guests watch as the newlyweds swayed to Musique Soulchild’s “Love” for their first dance as husband and wife.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
28
Slice of Life

Dana and Nonye share the responsibility of cutting their beautiful wedding cake.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
29
This Is How We Do It

Dana gets some help getting done up in the traditional Nigerian dress for part of the reception.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
30
Fit For a Queen

Dana looks regal in her new outfit.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
31
Show Me the Money

Nonye and Dana laugh together as friends and family members pin dollar bills to their clothes.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
32
Family Affair

The groom poses with his brothers and sisters, including soccer player Oguchi Onyewu. What a beautiful family.

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Elise Theuer Photography
33
Best Friends For Life

“I really like it now,” Dana says of being married to Nonye. “It’s like having your best friend around all the time.”

For more on this wedding visit The Brides Cafe

All photos by Eleise Theur Photography

Bridal Bliss: Dana and Nonye
Eleise Theuer Photography
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