Office manager LaChelle, 27, bumped into future love Larry, 31, a sales manager, while stuck in a traffic jam in the parking lot of a popular nightclub. They locked eyes and instantly knew something had changed. Four years later he proposed in the same park where they spent their first date and this spring they tied the knot in a dreamy destination ceremony in Puerto Rico. Share their love!
“We both wanted to have a destination wedding,” LaChelle explains. “Somewhere beautiful, exotic, but that you didn’t need a passport to get to. I found the Gran Melia.”
“I said yes because I have never met anyone like him,” says LaChelle. “He’s my best friend; someone I can always count on for anything. He makes my life so much brighter.”
“I stepped into the dress and I knew it was ‘The One,’” says LaChelle. “It had the ruffles, the sweetheart neckline and it didn’t feel heavy and overwhelming. They zipped me up and I knew it was my dress.”
On her wedding day, LaChelle wore yellow pumps by Mimi, jewelry from Charming Charlie and a veil from Bride Beautiful.
“My bouquet was made up of orange and yellow tiger lilies and roses tied with a white ribbon,” LaChelle recalls. Such a lively color combination always brings out big smiles.
LaChelle’s bridesmaids’ dresses were designed and made by seamstress Tony Ruffin. Because LaChelle didn’t force the ladies to choose looks right off the rack, each of their gowns fit to perfection.
When the groom chose a linen look for the groomsman, the same seamstress who designed the bridesmaid gowns created the look for the gentleman too.
“My something old and borrowed came from my mom,” says LaChelle. “She gave me a ring of hers; it was gold with ruby sapphires. She also gave me a pin with a ballerina on it that I put between the ruffles on my dress. I’ve been her little ballerina ever since she put me in dance class at the early age of two.”
This photograph is nothing short of stunning.
The Mr. and Mrs. chose these wedding bands to signify their undying love.
“At first we wanted a beach wedding by the ocean, however, once we chose the location, our plans changed,” says the beaming bride. “We narrowed down our choices for the ceremony location, and in the end, we went with the huge gazebo outside.” Great pick guys!
LaChelle and Larry chose to have a traditional, non-denominational ceremony on their big day.
Although LaChelle and Larry wrote their own wedding vows, and were very much looking forward to reciting them, after the bride’s parents walked her down the aisle, the minister got so carried away with the program he forgot to include that part. Luckily, this didn’t ruin the moment for the bride. “When I looked into Larry’s eyes at the altar, I felt amazing and very happy.”
During the couple’s ceremony, they held a unity sand ceremony to signify the joining of their two families.
“I made yellow and orange pomanders that hung from the chairs and the aisle had yellow and orange rose petals sprinkled throughout,” says the DIY bride.
A soft kiss seals the deal!
Fifty guests were on hand to witness the new Mr. and Mrs. Sessoms walk from the altar hand in hand.
Instead of bouquets, LaChelle’s lovely bridesmaids carried yellow parasols that she decorated with an orange flower stamp around the brim of the parasol. We love that she added a personal touch to an already unique idea.
In keeping with their tropical theme, the couple’s place cards were mini umbrellas with the guest’s name and table number stuck in sand pots.
The mango and yellow color theme from LaChelle and Larry’s wedding really brought out the beauty of the island and the joy of the day.
Their two-tier wedding cake was decorated in a tropical theme with fondant flowers.
The newlywed’s evening reception was held just a few steps away from where they tied the knot. After the ceremony, their was a cocktail hour then sit down dinner.
“My inspiration was a Martha Stewart wedding I saw once at a Sandals resort,” explains the bride. “The reception centerpieces were crystal vases with petals and floating candles inside. We also had a tropical flower arrangement with orange and yellow tiger lilies and the florist incorporated fresh fruit as well.”
LaChelle and Larry hit the dance floor for the first time as husband and wife to the sounds of Eric Bennett’s “Real Love.”
A father-daughter dance moment to be remembered.
We love that LaChelle and Larry’s wedding day was cheery, beautiful and a whole lot of fun. What did you love most about it? Leave the couple some comment love and your best wishes below.
