“I knew J.R. was the one for me two weeks after we met during one of our many late night phone conversations,” says Keshawn. “As he described his early childhood and how he was raised by wonderfully, loving parents, it dawned on me that he was the man I had prayed for. That conversation gave me a glimpse into his character and how he would be as a parent and husband, and I was convinced from that point on that we were meant for each other.”
“The name of my dress is Norma by Watters,” says Keshawn. “I tried on dozens before I found it in the 4th store I visited with my mom and then future mother-in-law.”
“After I ordered the dress, the process became tough because I didn’t get it until one week before my wedding day even though I ordered it and paid for it eight months beforehand,” says Keshawn. “It was hard to not be stressed about it. I would joke that all the wedding details were ready except the bride didn’t have anything to wear. Once the dress arrived from the manufacturer, it fit perfectly and I didn’t need any alterations.”
Keshawn chose two pairs of shoes for her wedding day. “One was Glint and the other was Audrey Brooke,” she tells us. These sparkly beauties were our favorite.
Keshawn’s hair and makeup were flawless. “I wanted an unstructured bun, something soft and romantic,” she tells us. “I found pictures of Carrie Underwood and Kerry Washington with similar hairstyles which I provided to my stylist and he pulled it off.”
Keshawn was savvy when it came to shopping for her lovely bridal accessories. “I wore an unstructured Fine & Fleurie tulle birdcage veil with pearl and rhinestone costume jewelry,” she says. “I also wore a branch-like, rhinestone headpiece in my hair that I purchased from a bridal consignment shop.”
“I knew it was the dress for me because as soon as I put it on, I began to twirl around and dance,” Keshawn admits. “I floated down the runway at the bridal salon and didn’t want to take it off. It was the only dress to solicit that kind of reaction from me.”
“What I love most about him is what he displayed when we first met; he’s a wonderful communicator with a caring heart and beautiful smile,” says Keshawn. “He gives the best hugs and kisses and I admire his hard work ethic.”
Keshawn’s bouquet was a small, teardrop shape created with beautiful textures and subtle colors of cream and sand. It including crème de la crème roses, vendela roses, seedy eucalyptus, dusty miller foliage, crème majolica spray roses and cream stock nestled in a romantic color of tea stained lace. The handle was finished with a pearl cuff. Put simply: It was absolutely fabulous!
“Being a groom was all I had dreamt it would be,” J.R. explains.
“That day, I felt the most peaceful I have ever been,” says Keshawn. “It was all that I dreamt it would be and so much more. It was such a fun day with several unexpected moments.”
Keshawn’s bridesmaids’ dresses came from Bari Jay. “I wanted them to be flowy and in the palest shade of yellow,” she says.
J.R. had one best man and three groomsman on his side of the bridal party. The dapper dudes wore Legend suits by Calvin Klein. “We wanted grey tuxes instead of traditional black and the groom chose them,” says Keshawn.
Keshawn and her lovely bridesmaids made sure to make time for fun photo opps on the big day. We absolutely love everything about this photo.
On her wedding day, Keshawn had a maid of honor, matron of honor and two bridesmaids by her side. We’re madly in love with those yellow gowns. What a fresh, fun color for a chic and modern bridal party feel.
“I knew Keshawn was the one for me during a road trip we took from Atlanta to Miami,” says the groom. “That was the first time we had spent several days together non-stop without a break away from each other. We actually enjoyed every moment, and after that, I was convinced we could successfully spend the rest of our lives together.”
“Keshawn is supportive, generous, loving, caring, ambitious, adventurous, God-fearing, educated, and wise,” says J.R. as he lays on the compliments for his new wife. “She’s the complete package of what I searched for and I feel like the luckiest man in the world to have her as my wife.”
The smaller bridal attendant bouquets had a bit more color, but were still soft and romantic with a loose rounded shape and plenty of texture. They were created from soft yellow roses tucked into green hydrangea blossoms with asymmetric clusters of scabiosa pods and finished with a coordinating ribbon wrapped stem.
“I always knew I’d find true love,” Keshawn reveals. “Difficult previous relationships and the crazy dating scene gave me doubts at times, but I took it all in stride and remained optimistic. I believed every experience, good and bad, was preparing me and leading me closer to the love of my life, and I finally met him on July 17, 2009.”
“She’s not overly complicated, and it’s just so easy to love her,” admits the groom. “We’ve had our ups and downs, but we’ve worked through our issues to become better and stronger individuals, therefore becoming a stronger and better couple.”
How precious is this bridal party portrait? The black and white effect was the perfect touch.
“My father walked me down the aisle and I wanted to honor him for the role he has played in my life,” says Keshawn.
“Once we got engaged, it was a no brainer on where we’d exchange vows,” says wedding planner and bride-to-be Keshawn. “We chose TWELVE because it was in close proximity to the Millennium Gate and enabled me to have the processional for my wedding that I’d always envisioned.“
Keshawn walked down the aisle to classical favorite “Canon In D.” Her wedding planning company Event Passion managed all of the planning details for the big day.
“As our guests entered the lower courtyard at the Millennium Gate, we wanted them to take in the classic architecture and natural beauty of the venue,” explains Keshawn. “Rather than compete with that, our floral designer designed a unique display involving two medium sized footed urns flanking the bridal aisle with fresh green sheet moss, green hydrangea, soft yellow roses, creamy colored stock and more.”
“We both got choked up as we read personal vows we had each written to one another,” says Keshawn.
Over 130 special guests arrived at Keshawn and J.R.’s ceremony to cheer them on as they finally united in holy matrimony.
“I felt very happy at the altar,” says Keshawn. “I whispered to him and giggled throughout the entire ceremony.”
The new Mr. and Mrs. Hughes make us swoon as they seal the deal with a romantic pucker.
“I cherish having her on my side to push me and support me, and I look forward to having a family with her, and instilling the characteristics that we both live by so that our children will be successful,” J.R. says.
“All is right in my world when he holds my hand tightly and says, ‘Everything’s going to be okay babe.’ I love that we share a passion for running, cute dogs and good food,” the bride admits.
“J.R. is the most friendly and caring man I’ve ever met,” Keshawn happily tells us. “He’s a gentleman. He’s very disciplined and inspiring and a lot of fun to be around. He has a great sense of humor and mild mannered temperament that puts anyone at ease.”
“Keshawn is truly my best friend,” J.R. says. “I can tell her anything and everything. I look forward to spending the rest of my days with her, building our family and building our legacy.”
The reception was created around 16 banquet tables arranged in an “H” configuration. There were low floral and candle displays alternating with tall silver candelabras dispersed evenly across the banquet tables.
“I always thought our love deserved a parade and we finally got one!” says Keshawn. “Trumpeter Extraordinaire “Milkshake” Mayfield played a Big Easy style tune that stopped traffic. Many people get married in Atlantic Station all the time but I don’t know of anyone who did so in such a way that made spectators a part of the celebration. They honked their horns, cheered us on and walked along side us. In those moments, I felt the contagion of our joy and feel so blessed to have experienced that.”
The bride and groom end their processional with a fabulous group photo to be remembered.
“I chose to make Keshawn my wife because I believe our future is so limitless,” J.R. exclaims. “We’re so encouraging of one another that there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.”
“The centerpiece arrangements were created using green hydrangea, soft yellow roses, cream stock, seedy eucalyptus, dusty miller foliage, craspedia balls, scabiosa pods and fresh green sheet moss,” says Keshawn. “Mixed in with the floral arrangements was a collection of graduated crackle glass hurricanes, each with a twinkling candle surrounded by ivory votive candles in clear cut glass containers.”
Keshawn and J.R. entered their reception party to the sounds of Rihanna’s “We Found Love” then shared a romantic first dance as husband and wife to Anita Baker’s “Angel.”
The couple’s fantastic wedding cake had four tiers, buttercream icing and hand-piped swirls and embellishments. The layers were lemon and French vanilla with raspberry puree filling (yum!) and their florist, The Savage Garden, added real flowers for decoration. “I chose it because it’s a classic southern style wedding cake that I wanted to be soft, sweet and delicious through and through,” says Keshawn.
Keshawn couldn’t help but cry tears of joy when her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority sisters paid tribute to her with a sweet serenade ar her wedding reception.
Keshawn and J.R.’s wedding theme was “Once In A Millennium.”
Keshawn and J.R. honeymooned in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. If the couple’s modern wedding style wowed you too, tell us your favorite detail below and leave them a little comment love. Plus, see more fab photos from their wedding over at The Bride’s Cafe now. Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us now!
