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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
By · Updated October 29, 2020
01
Love Is In The Air

University of Virginia college sweethearts Lauren Williams and Malik Shareef tied the knot in a bright and beautiful celebration on May 8, 2010 at the Hotel Monaco in Washington D.C.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
02
D.I.Y. Diva

Lauren added a personal touch to her wedding invitations and programs by designing them and assembling them herself.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
03
In Her Eyes

Lauren’s make-up artist, Nikki Fraser, kept the gorgeous bride’s wedding day look simple yet dramatic with special attention to the eyes.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
04
Mom’s Touch

Lauren’s mother does the honors of placing the veil in her daughter’s hair.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
05
Mellow Yellow

To go along with her yellow wedding color, Lauren found these beautiful marigold wedding pumps to wear on her big day.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
06
A Second Look

At first glance Lauren did not like the Pricilla of Boston wedding gown she eventually chose.

“The bridal consultant said, ‘you can try it on first to get it out of the way.’” Lauren remembers. “So I tried it on and it ended up being my dress. She put a broach on it and it just made it come alive.”

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
07
Like Mother Like Daughter

Lauren’s big sister, ESSENCE.com Beauty Editor Tia Williams and her daughter show off their bright smiles.

“My sister’s wedding was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen,” Tia says, “and not just because she art-directed every detail with Martha Stewart-like precision. The wedding reflected Lauren and Malik’s love and their love of family in the sweetest, most touching way.”

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
08
Brotherly Love

Malik and his groomsmen take some time out to chill before heading down the aisle.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
09
Where My Girls At?

Lauren’s bridesmaids stand beside their friend and sister on her big day.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
10
Monumental Love

For this couple that fell in love so close to the nation’s capitol, historic D.C. was the perfect place to celebrate their union.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
11
Mother’s Love

Malik shares a private moment with his mother before heading to the altar.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
12
Daughter Dearest

Just before heading off to start a new life with Malik, Lauren takes a time-out to share a smile with her mom and dad.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
13
Sister Sister

Lauren chose her two sisters as her matrons of honor.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
14
Feels Like Spring

Lush yellow roses for the bridal bouquet keep the spring theme going.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
15
Daddy’s Girl

Lauren and her father play a quick game before walking down the aisle.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
16
Flower Girl

Lauren’s darling niece tiptoes down the aisle.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
17
Feeling Emotions

Lauren tears up a little while reading her vows to Malik.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
18
With Thing Ring

Malik places the wedding band on his beloved.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
19
Made With Love

Lauren’s cousin designed the couple’s wedding bands. The bride’s is a two-piece band made to curve around her engagement ring and Malik’s band features a jagged line of diamonds that run through the center of his ring.

“They are very special,” Lauren says.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
20
Sealed With A Kiss

The happy newlyweds kiss as husband and wife for the first time.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
21
So Excited

Lauren and Malik revel in their newlywed status as they walk down the aisle together as husband and wife at last.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
22
All In The Family

Malik’s folks welcome Lauren into their family with open arms.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
23
Love Is Bubbling Over

“He has this infectious positivity around him at all times,” Lauren says of Malik, “and it rubs off and makes everyone happy. He’s just an amazing person and everyone loves him.”

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
24
Never Too Much

“Now that we’re married, we don’t want to be away from each other for one second,” the new wife says.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
25
Every Minute of Every Day

“I had to go to New York for work last week, and it was painful to be away from him for one day,” Lauren says of never wanting to spend another day away from Malik.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
26
So Happy Together

“We joke that in a few years we’ll be like, ’isn’t your next business trip coming up soon?’” Lauren kids. “But for now, we’re in wedded bliss.”

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
27
Light Up My Life

The golden lights in the reception hall add warmth to this joyous family gathering.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
28
Lemon Fresh

Lauren’s wedding coordinator Sara Muchnick of Engaging Affairs helped he find a florist that would add an extra touch of spring to each of her tables.

Yellow Door Floral Design’s short bouquets of white flowers accented with lemon halves were the perfect centerpieces.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
29
My Other Half

“He brings out the best in me,” Lauren says of her new husband. “And I hope that I do the same for him.”

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
30
Dance With My Father

Lauren’s father smiles proudly at his newlywed daughter as the two dance to Stevie Wonder’s “As.”

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
31
Lover’s Waltz

For their first dance as husband and wife, Lauren and Malik danced to Jill Scott’s “Not Like Crazy.”

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
32
Lost In Your Love

Malik and Lauren are lost in each other’s eyes as the two dance together on their wedding day.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
33
Hug It Out

Malik is congratulated with big hugs.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
34
Design of a Decade

Lauren also designed and assembled the menus for her wedding reception.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
35
Hey Cupcake

“I think a lot of people are shying away from cakes,” Lauren said of choosing cupcakes for her wedding day, “I wanted the option to have a variety of flavors. And it’s a lot less expensive.”

Lauren and Malik’s wedding desserts were made by Fluffy Thoughts and included cupcakes made with blackberry buttercream filling with lemon buttercream frosting and lemon buttercream filling with vanilla frosting.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
36
Slice of Life

The newlyweds cut their wedding cake together.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
37
Here’s To You

Lauren and Malik raise their glasses to a happy union.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
38
He’s Got The Look

Lauren’s dad jokingly lets his new son-in-law know he’ll be watching him.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
39
Officially Yours

“We are so happy to be together and to finally make it official,” Lauren says.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
40
Sweet Thought

For gifts, Lauren and Malik found lemon sugar cookies decorated like lemon slices on Etsy.com.

“They were delicious!” the new wife exclaims.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
41
What’s in Store

“Our relationship is so strong and I just look forward to building on the great foundation of trust, love, friendship and mutual respect that we already have,” Lauren gushes.

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
42
One More Thing

“Oh and babies of course.” she continues. “But not for a few more years.”

Bridal Bliss: Lauren and Malik
Stephen Bobb/Love Life Images
43
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