Bridal Bliss: Kolandra And Sharonda's Richmond Wedding Was Black Love Magic

Bride: Kolandra RoShonda Watkins, 33, Hairstylist
Bride: Sharonda Martice Sykes, 32, Underwriter
The Big Day: 11/19/17
Location: Richmond, Virginia
Style/Theme: “Love Locked Down”

Vendors:

Photographer: Kimie James
Makeup: Nicole Laughlin
Hair: Kolandra Sykes (Watkins)
Venue: Historic Mankin Mansion
Florist: Strawberry Fields Flowers and Finds
 

“It felt AWESOME to be a bride,” said Kolandra. “I never thought I would get married because I knew of so many failed marriages but I knew that if God gave me the chance to get married then my marriage was meant to be.”

“My dress was a blush colored Maggie Sottero mermaid fitted with a full ruffle like bottom and a nice lengthy train. I knew my dress was ‘the one’ when I walked away from the dress at a bridal shop but went to a Bliss Bridal Consignment Shop and saw the dress I fell in love with for way lower than its original price. It was brand new and in my size. So I knew it had to be but a sign from God and ‘the one!”

“Being a bride, it was a little overwhelming at times,” said Sharonda. “I’m more of an introvert so all the people, socializing, and attention was a little more than I’m used to.”

Sharonda designed her look by opting for a Black and White suit with a chinese collar that had a gold toggle in the middle for a button from Lord and Taylor. To complement the look, she wore a white shirt with a pink bowtie, a black Gucci belt with some Black fur lined Gucci mules. She was going for a clean, sharp modern look while keeping her femininity.  

“Above everything, the woman I married is passionate,” said Sharonda. “She is passionate about her career, her relationships, and any other thing she puts her mind to. She exudes confidence and her personality can hypnotize a room. She demands power which can often be intimidating.”

The couple went to brunch on a Sunday afternoon after attending church when Sharonda suggested they take pictures in a nearby photo booth. What happened next was just picture perfect. 

“After taking pictures in the Photo Booth twice Sharonda wanted to take them again and because I love a good picture for the memories I didn’t think much about the request,” recalled Kolandra. “As we’re taking the pics she kept moving and I was like ‘what are you doing and why can’t you  keep still?’ Up and out the blue as we took the third picture, she pulled out a box that caught me so off guard because I thought it was her wallet which was the same color as the box. As the last picture snapped, I finally realized what was happening and I started crying! Needless to say, she did a really good job surprising me and the best part of it all is that we have pictures of that very moment when she proposed.”

“The woman I married is very bullheaded, stubborn, loving, thoughtful, caring, artistic and most of all my one-of-a-kind wife,” said Kolandra of Sharonda. 

We absolutely love Sharonda’s Kanye West-inspired cufflinks for her big day!

About 90 people attended the brides beautiful wedding. 

“My dad walked me down the aisle,” said Kolandra. “I chose my dad to walk me down the aisle because after talking to him and making sure he was on board with my life and my life choices I knew I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“When I was at the altar looking into her eyes I couldn’t believe how beautiful she looked and that we were finally doing it,” said Kolandra.

“I’m not sure if it’s possible but I was terrified yet calm all at the same time looking at Kolandra at the altar,” said the bride. “I could feel everyone eyes on me but all I could see was her. Her familiar warm eyes calmed me, reassuring me I was making the best decision of my life.”

They did it!

We had a three-tiered cake that had an octagon shaped bottom. The bottom tier was marble and strawberry flavor. The other two tiers had different shades of blush and maroon with gold accents on it and were Hummingbird on the top layer and Coconut in the middle. We topped it off with a cake topper that said “Finally”!

“I love her confidence and promptness; she is organized and driven. But what I love most is the way she loves me.”

“My Bouquet was done filled with hydrangeas, roses, peonies and other flowers with two types of greenery,” said Kolandra.  

Doesn’t Sharonda just look great on her big day?!

“We decided to do a lock ceremony. a lock ceremony signifies that when the two locks are locked together the two shall become one. We are unique and wanted to do something different from what we had seen. The locks were also engraved with the date of the wedding and the date of our engagement.”

“I chose to make Kolandra my wife because I knew I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her. I knew how great of a person she was and if I didn’t make her my wife then someone else would notice and make the commitment. The deciding factor was when I was having a conversation one day and describe her as my girlfriend but knew she was so much more.”

“I said yes because we have so much in common. We love boxing, shopping, shoes, art and we’re foodies just to name a few. We always finish each other sentences or start a sentence the other is thinking. I’m her Sugar and she’s my Spice. I said yes because I couldn’t imagine spending my life with anyone else.”

“What I love most about my wife is that she is very thoughtful and very good at anything she does because she is so creative and artistic,” said Kolandra of Sharonda. “What I love most about her is that she’s my warm when I’m cold and she’s my umbrella when it rains. She’s always there when I need her and when I least expect it.”

“I knew she was the one when I realized I was the best version of myself when I was with her. She allows me to be myself but also helps me to grow and be better. She just makes living life and loving easier,” said Sharonda. 

Kolandra and Sharonda dated for 9 years before they tied the knot so the perfect wedding song for them was Janelle Monae’s song, “Primetime” featuring Miguel. 

“No, I didn’t believe in true love,” Sharonda admitted. “I believed 2 people could love one another but only true love was in the movies. But once true love hits, like a ton of bricks, it’s no denying it.”