When former high school acquaintances Faisha and Leonard reconnected at a fundraiser, neither knew they had found their soul mates. Nine years after their serendipitous run in, they tied the knot. Share their love.
Faisha and Leonard chose a chic black and white theme for their wedding day. Faisha found her black floor-length Jim Hjelm bridesmaids gowns at The Wedding Shop in Wayne, PA.
Faisha wanted her dress to be modern and unique. She changed the white sash on her Junko Yoshioka gown to black to add contrast and coincide with the wedding colors.
Faisha’s simple, yet stunning bridal makeup look was created by Leonard’s long-time friend Tiffany Stout, a makeup artist based in New York City.
The bride called on her regular hair stylist, Philly based Susan Bolden, to sweep her hair back into a romantic bun. The jeweled clasp adds a touch of glamor to this look.
“My dress was beautiful, but for me the shoes were amazing,” Faisha gushes. “I was very excited about them.” The bride found her wedding day Christian Louboutins during a trip to New York.
Philly based florist Petals Lane gathered together different white flowers for Faisha to hold while walking down the aisle.
Faisha says she remained calm throughout her wedding day. However, when her father gathered the bridesmaids to pray, she teared up from his sweet words.
Faisha’s family supported her as she prepared to become Mrs. Cherry.
Leonard had his guys behind him 100 percent as he got ready to pledge his life to Faisha. Leonard rocked a custom-made tux from Distante Philadelphia down the aisle.
Faisha says her dad was pretty emotional on his baby girl’s big day. It was a very proud moment for him.
The Westin Philadelphia set guests chairs around where the bride and groom would be married to create a feeling of warmth.
Faisha remembers feeling excited to be next to Leonard again as she walked down the aisle.
When she did reunite with Leonard she said, “I missed you, honey.”
“That really touched me,” Leonard says.
“Seeing all of our friends and family there with well wishes really made the day special,” Leonard recalls.
Faisha and Leonard added personal touches to their traditional wedding vows. They were married by Leonard’s childhood family pastor, Charles Quann, who baptized the groom as a young man.
Leonard’s friend Kenyatta Black — the proprietor of The Philadelphia Diamond Company — crafted the couple’s wedding bands.
“It was very sweet,” Faisha says of her and Leonard’s first kiss as husband and wife. “It was like he’s my husband now so it was nice.”
Guests clap and smile as Mr. and Mrs. Cherry head down the aisle hand-in-hand.
“I’m in love with Leonard because he’s probably the most kind person and the most thoughtful person I think I’ve ever met in my entire life,” Faisha says.
“I really can’t imagine what life is like without her,” Leonard says.
“We have an understanding that only we understand,” the new husband continues, “and I just can’t say that I would want to find it with anyone else.”
“She’s the love of my life,” he gushes.
Each table at the couple’s reception was decorated with lush floral arrangements and glowing candles.
Faisha and Leonard are elated to be husband and wife.
Although Faisha is married to Leonard, she’ll always be daddy’s girl. She and her father danced to Nat King Cole and Natalie Cole’s “Unforgettable.”
Leonard and his mother smiled sweetly as they danced to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”
The bride and groom got lost in each other’s arms as they danced to John Legend’s “I Will Stay with You.”
Wedding guests laughed, danced and shared stories all night long.
The couple’s four-tiered vanilla cake was created by the Westin Philadelphia.
Faisha says she’s most excited about “life” with Leonard. “Bring it on!” she says.
“I’m really looking forward to building a strong Christian home,” Leonard adds.
“I know that whatever challenge life has, I wouldn’t want to be with anybody else but him,” Faisha says.
For more on Faisha and Leonard’s wedding, visit The Bride’s Cafe
All Photos by Susan Stripling Photography
