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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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“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.
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Philly based florist Petals Lane gathered together different white flowers for Faisha to hold while walking down the aisle.
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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.
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Faisha’s family supported her as she prepared to become Mrs. Cherry.
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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.
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Faisha says her dad was pretty emotional on his baby girl’s big day. It was a very proud moment for him.
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The Westin Philadelphia set guests chairs around where the bride and groom would be married to create a feeling of warmth.
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Faisha remembers feeling excited to be next to Leonard again as she walked down the aisle.
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When she did reunite with Leonard she said, “I missed you, honey.”
“That really touched me,” Leonard says.
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“Seeing all of our friends and family there with well wishes really made the day special,” Leonard recalls.
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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.
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Leonard’s friend Kenyatta Black — the proprietor of The Philadelphia Diamond Company — crafted the couple’s wedding bands.
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“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.”
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Guests clap and smile as Mr. and Mrs. Cherry head down the aisle hand-in-hand.
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“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.
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“I really can’t imagine what life is like without her,” Leonard says.
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“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.”
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“She’s the love of my life,” he gushes.
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Each table at the couple’s reception was decorated with lush floral arrangements and glowing candles.
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Faisha and Leonard are elated to be husband and wife.
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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.”
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Leonard and his mother smiled sweetly as they danced to Frank Sinatra’s “The Way You Look Tonight.”
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The bride and groom got lost in each other’s arms as they danced to John Legend’s “I Will Stay with You.”
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Wedding guests laughed, danced and shared stories all night long.
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The couple’s four-tiered vanilla cake was created by the Westin Philadelphia.
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Faisha says she’s most excited about “life” with Leonard. “Bring it on!” she says.
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“I’m really looking forward to building a strong Christian home,” Leonard adds.
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“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
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