“I remember sitting in the car outside of my house one night after Jai and I had just returned from dinner,” says Rebecca. “I glanced over at her and realized that I never wanted her to go home. I wanted her to stay. I wanted to spend every moment with her.”
“I liked the vintage look for me hair,” says Jai. “I thought it went well with my dress and I wanted something classic.” Job well done, Jai. We love those curls!
When it came to her accessories, beaming bride Jai didn’t miss a chance to add a touch of fabulous. She wore her grandmother’s diamond sapphire necklace for her “something old” and “something blue,” a pair of new Jimmy Choo shoes and “something borrowed” from her mother.
The romantic brides exchanged hand-written love letters on the morning of their big day. It was a special touch that really made our eyes misty.
“I’ve always dreamed of how it would feel to be head-over-heels for someone and how it would feel to have someone head-over-heels for me, too,” explains Jai. “I live that feeling every day now with Rebecca.”
“I’ve always wanted to fall in love with a friend,” says Rebecca. “Someone who I could run my errands with, watch movies with and just lay around all day and do nothing with. I wanted that effortless love and I found that with Jai.”
“I love Rebecca’s thoughtfulness and her ability to make me feel like I am the most important, most beautiful and cared for woman in the world,” boasts Jai.
“Rebecca is simply amazing,” says Jai. “Her heart is huge, her hugs make me happy and her eyeball kisses cure anything my worst day could hit me with.”
“I want to have children and start a family with Jai,” says Rebecca. “In order to be an important example for my children, I wanted to make sure I honored their mother and made our commitment official.”
Rebecca and her attendants arrived to the ceremony in style — the ladies looked mighty sharp in their suits. We love the vintage feel of this chic, city shot.
Jai found Amsale gowns for her gorgeous bridesmaids at a bridal boutique called Hitched in Georgetown. “Rebecca and I went shopping and I modeled all of the dresses in eggplant.” The girls were pleased with their pick, and it showed.
Jai’s father passed away in 2005, so her older brother Joseph W. Pelham, Jr. walked her down the aisle. “We’ve always been close,” she tells us. “I couldn’t have imagined anyone else with me in that moment.”
Jai chose Amel Larrieux’s “No One Else” as the soundtrack for her romantic stroll down the aisle, and it was the perfect choice. (The look on Rebecca’s face says it all.)
At the ceremony, Rebecca and Jai had two vocalists, an African drummer and a pianist perform.
“I dreamed of that moment from the moment we got engaged,” says Jai, when asked to describe what it was like standing at the altar. “It was everything that I imagined and more. I walked slowly and when I got there I took it all in. I wanted to remember everything.”
Sugar Taylor of DIYva Designs, LLC helped the happy couple plan a romantic indoor ceremony at Longview Art Gallery in Washington, D.C. “The moment we walked into the space, we absolutely fell in love,” says Rebecca.
Rebecca’s sister Colette and her husband read a passage from Corinthians and the The Peace Prayer by St. Francis of Assis during the couple’s ceremony. “Reverend Romie Pallidino conducted the ceremony beautifully,” says Jai. “Her wedding message was to be the partner you want.”
The newlyweds are proud to report that planning their wedding together was a team effort and they were both thrilled with how each aspect of the big day turned out.
After jumping the broom, Rebecca and Jai took pictures with their bridal party while their guests enjoyed the cocktail hour.
The lovebirds used their modern monogram to decorate throughout their reception.
From frosted bars to chic couches, Rebecca and Jai went with a modern lounge theme for their reception to keep their guests entertained.
For dessert, guests were served a three-tier round cake that was decorated with a metallic color and eggplant ribbons.
After entering the reception party to the sounds of John Legend’s “Best You Ever Had” Rebecca and Jai danced to Will Downing’s “Nothing Ever Felt.”
One hundred and fifty well-dressed guests were in attendance to help Rebecca and Jai celebrate their love.
Guests could not resist snapping photos of the happy brides on their big day.
Their fabulous wedding cake wasn’t the only sweet treat on the menu at Rebecca and Jai’s reception.
The couple opted for a deejay for their reception party to keep their guests on their feet. Jai’s Maggie Sottero gown was gorgeous but she changed into a more comfortable dress to party comfortably throughout the night.
Jai has a lot of favorite memories from her wedding day, but she tells us that the one that stands out the most was Rebecca’s identical twin sister Rachel’s heartfelt toast.
It’s safe to say that the newlyweds and their guests had a fabulous time.
You can really feel the love in all of Jai and Rebecca’s bridal portraits. #reallove
Jai and Rebecca honeymooned at an exotic resort in Mexico.
If you loved Jai and Rebecca’s big day as much as we did, leave the newlyweds a little comment love below. See more of their fab wedding over at The Bride’s Cafe. Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us now.
