“I said yes because I knew that with God’s help, Rick and I could bring the best out of each other,” says Harriette. “Rick, not only made me a better person, but he made me a better follower of my faith in Jesus too. He challenged me, freed me and accepted me beyond what I thought I could be.” Aww!
“I knew Rick could lead me as my husband soon after we started dating,” admits Harriette. “I already knew him as a friend but I needed confirmation from God on a few particulars that I did not look for in him before because I was not considering him in that way. He already had the basics: He believed in God, he was a family man, supportive, fun, confident, strong, a provider and he loved me.”
Harriette’s wedding dress was designed by Demetrios (Atlanta). “I spent one day, went to five stores and probably tried on 15 dresses,” she recalls. “The last dress at the last store was the one I bought. I knew it was mine when I put it on and my legs were saying a sexy ‘hello.’ (Laughs) I loved the split in the front. It was so unique that I knew it would be a showstopper.”
“I thought it was going to be much longer before I found true love,” Harriette explains. “I was happy and in a good place when Rick and I connected so I was comfortable living the single life. I had just arrived at a place of confidence and acceptance and then God changed my life.”
“We had an outdoor ceremony at Boothe Memorial Park,” Harriette explains. “They have an intimate rose garden with a fountain that fit about 100 people. It was very informal. We had the guests stand for the ceremony while we faced them versus the traditional way where the guests stand behind you. They surrounded us, sort of like a semi-circle.”
“We planned the vision together at first but I handled all of the little details once the big day got closer,” says Harriette. “Rick was helpful and supportive. It was a pretty easy process. He picked the colors. We both agreed on location and style. He took care of all the music and I handled décor.”
“I was actually inspired to have a backyard wedding reception by the movie Jumping the Broom,” says Harriette. “My husband had already purchased a home next door to my sister and her husband, Rick’s best friend. It is because of them that we met, so it was only fitting that we get married by our home and have the celebration next door to the home of my sister and his best friend. It all came full circle.”
The theme of the couple’s wedding day was ‘A Love Story.’ “We wanted to tell our story through bits and pieces of the theme,” the bride explains. “The program was written like a story. The seating chart was designed as the ‘table of contents’ and each table represented a chapter with each guest’s placecard designed as a bookmark. Every table had a sign with its corresponding table number on it, the chapter and a story about that chapter in our relationship. Rick and I took the time to tell our story in 10 chapters to read across the 10 tables.” How unique!
“Our wedding cake was baked by my godmother’s mom, Karen Wiley,” says Harriette. “It was a simple 3-tier red velvet cake with butter cream icing.” That aounds like it was delicious. (And, it looks like the duo had a blast feeding it to each other.)
Harriette and Rick honeymooned in Mexico. If you enjoyed their romantic story and backyard wedding style as much as we did, don’t forget to leave the happy couple a little comment love below. Tell us which detail was your favorite. Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us now.