"I knew Abu was for me in August of 2011," says Dedrina. "We took a boat to a private beach and as we sat on the beach staring at the water, he held me so tightly, and at that moment, I knew my future husband was holding me close."
Dedrina's ceremony hairstyle was inspired by a YouTube video she once saw. "My hair dresser Jacata put her own special touch to it, which made it even better," she recalls.
Makeup artist Brandi Holmes created this look of timeless beauty for Dedrina. "She is by far one of the best makeup artists in Houston," says the bride.
"After about 15 different bridal boutique appointments, numerous hours of extensive online searching and trying on countless dresses, I finally found ‘The One," says Dedrina when describing her dress hunt. "I always wanted a dress different from anything I had seen in the past; I wanted it to look classic, vintage and modern all in one dress." Success!
Dedrina had no problem securing "something blue" for the big day. She wore these embellished blue pumps by Steve Madden. How fun!
"To be honest, I was not even looking for a boyfriend, let alone true love or a husband, when we first met," says Dedrina. "I definitely would have never dreamed the man God ordained for me would be living across the Atlantic Ocean."
We love it when sweet and tender moments like this one are so beautifully captured on film.
"I used mainly all white lilies for my wedding bouquet," says Dedrina. "They are so beautiful and they completed our heavenly theme."
"When the sales associate brought the dress into my fitting room on the hanger, I knew it was the one," says Dedrina of her Impression Bridal gown. "It was beyond beautiful and unique."
"Abu is God-fearing, intelligent, ambitious, funny and someone I will always respect and feel safe with leading our home," the bride admits. Keeper alert!
"My wife has many qualities I didn’t find in other women I’ve dated in the past," says Abu. "She has a very strong spirit. That’s why I chose to make her my wife. Sometimes that same strong spirit drives me crazy at times. (Laughs)"
"The moment she opened up one day after a heated argument and apologized for her wrongs, I knew she was the one for me," Abu admits.
"My wife is the beauty that my spirit has always longed for," says Abu. "I couldn’t ask for more."
"I didn’t think I would find true love in this life," Abu admits. Finding his bride Dedrina was a real dream come true. Now, let's all take a moment to admire his bride's elegant and dramatic ceremony entrance. Wow!
"My grandfather walked me down the aisle because he has been like a father to me since I was a young girl," says Dedrina. "My biological father passed when I was young and I never got a chance to meet him." She chose to march to "Heaven" by Jamie Foxx.
The couple's wedding officiate was Pastor Cedric Robbins, the bride's second cousin. "I only wanted people that had our best interests at heart to attend our wedding, the pastor included." Dedrina tells us.
"Being a groom was much more than I ever expected because my wife made sure it looked like something out of a fairytale book," Abu admits. Let's hear it for Mr. and Mrs. Sule.
An eager, cheery recieving line greeted the newlyweds after their ceremony.
"What I love most about my husband is his love for God, because it gives me faith beyond measure in our future," says Dedrina.
"The man I married is handsome, funny, selfless, humble, caring and loving," says Dedrina. "He's a great husband, friend, role-model for me and our future children (God-willing), and above all God- fearing."
"Immediately after the ceremony our guests were led to an outdoor cocktail hour," says Dedrina. "It was followed by an indoor cocktail reception which started around 8:15pm."
For their first dance song, Dedrina and Abu chose a classic—Luther Vandross' "So Amazing."
We're in love with Abu and Dedrina's elegant all-white reception style. After the cocktail hour, guests filled back into the room where the ceremony was held for dinner and dancing in honor of the couple.
We're not sure which we love more, the couple's uber-romantic sweetheart table or that gorgeous staircase they entered from. It really was the perfect venue choice for an elegant affair to be remembered.
For her reception look, Dedrina chose long, full curls inspired by a look she once saw on reality TV star Kim Kardashian.
"Our wedding cake was amazing," says Dedrina. "It was a five tier strawberry cake with cream cheese filling. I chose the cake flavor as a gift to my mom because she loves strawberry cake. It was created by Cakes by Gina." Just stunning!
Abu and his lovely new wife were all smiles as they worked together to create another lasting wedding memory. Seriously, what a cake. We're in absolute awe!
Over 100 guests attended the couple's elegant wedding. A toast to them and to the friends and family in our lives who always support us in our finest hours.
Beaming bride Dedrina plants a big fat kiss on her grandfather, who proudly walked her down the aisle during the ceremony.
We just love to see brides having this much fun tossing their bouquet to their single friends.
"If I can do this all over again I wouldn’t change a thing," says Dedrina. "It was truly a dream come true!"
"I have already asked my husband if we can we have another wedding on our anniversary," Dedrina jokes. "I’m sure everyone knows his answer to that question. (Laughs!)" We'll keep our fingers crossed for you just the same, lady!
Sweet surprises awaited guests who visited the dessert table. Yum!
"I said yes because he is everything I ever wanted in a husband," says Dedrina, who never thought she'd fall for a man as fast as she fell for Abu.
If Abu and Dedrina's wedding made your day like it did ours, leave the happy couple a congratulatory message below. Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us now.
