When Bobby Rouse wrote an article about finding love for ESSENCE Magazine, he was inundated with thousands of responses from women — one of them being from his future wife, Erica Davis. The two tied the knot in an elegant affair at the Bell Tower on 34th in Houston, Texas on October 2, 2010. Share their love.
Erica’s romantic curls were created by Suzette Moss and Katosha Staves from Savvy Shears.
She glowed on her wedding day thanks to makeup artist Elroy McDaniel who created a natural bridal look.
Erica found her ivory Allure Bridals gown from Wardrobe in Sugar Land, Texas.
“It was a little bit fitted, and sexy and the price was fantastic,” she says of her gown. “It had all the elements that I was looking for.”
Erica’s ivory bridal shoes featured a little bit of bling on the heels.
Erica’s bridesmaid helps her get suited up to say “I do.”
Erica’s bouquet of white roses and lilies was touched with a few crystals to give it some extra sparkle.
“It was really attractive to me for him to be like, ‘Okay, you’re the one,’” Erica says of being chosen by Bobby.
We love Erica’s choice of a bright teal for her bridesmaids dresses. The color complements every skin tone, making all the ladies stand out.
Bobby waits patiently for his bride to meet him.
“I see the big impact he’s made on my son, who is 13,” Erica says of her new hubby. “He tried out for the basketball team. Before, that was something that was out of the question for him. Now that Bobby’s been there, he’s been more open minded.”
Erica’s father escorted her down the aisle to Heather Headley’s “If It Wasn’t For Your Love.”
“I said, ‘I promise not to pout too much when you want to watch SportsCenter and ask me to turn the TV off,’” Erica said.
“When we kissed, I got a little carried away,” Bobby says. “I was like, ‘Yeah! We did it!’”
Erica and Bobby combined turquoise and brown colored sand to signify the joining of their lives.
“I was really working hard to be present and live in the moment,” Erica shares. “I was there and I felt like I was there.”
“She never judged me, she always listened to everything that I said and I would listen to everything that she said,” Bobby says. “Her communication was the key factor in everything.”
Erica’s son and Bobby’s daughters pose with their newlywed parents.
“This is the person that accepts me and wants to be with me,” Erica explains. “He’s not saying, ‘You need to be this or that.’ I really felt a sense of acceptance for who I am and what I am and how I operate.”
For the reception, Erica and Bobby recreated a cover of ESSENCE Magazine featuring their engagement photo, to remember how they met.
The dining room was set up to form a circle, creating a more intimate experience for guests.
Erica and Bobby danced to “The Point of It All” by Anthony Hamilton for their first dance and transitioned into “There Goes My Baby” by Usher.
Bobby’s mother was happy for her son to join his other siblings in the married life.
Erica was all smiles as her father spun her around on the dance floor.
The Rouses’ classic three-tiered white cake was created by Edible Designs by Jessie. They added the “R” as a topper to commemorate Erica’s name change.
Since Bobby used to play professional basketball in Europe, Erica ordered him a grooms cake with a basketball.
Bobby’s groomsmen lined up to catch the garter belt. We wonder who’s next.
All the single ladies line up catch the bouquet and be the next bride.
“I’m looking forward to having someone to share all my good things and bad things with, raising our children together and just traveling and doing our volunteering in Houston and Atlanta.”
“I’m looking forward to continuing to tell my story,” Erica says. “Just saying love could be anywhere. It could be around the corner or in the next issue of ESSENCE.”
All photos by Monique Montoya at www.mmperspectives.com
