Marquita and Chris found love at a party and became lovers and friends. The pair were married on March 26, 2011 in Hope, New Jersey.
The blushing bride takes a look at her makeup as she prepares to meet her soul mate at the altar.
“I fell in love with a classic, long, A-line dress in silk taffeta,” says Marquita who wound up taking home this lovely J. Crew Bridal gown.
Marquita paired these pretty white heels with her modern-meets-classic gown.
Marquita loved this gown so much she bought it even though the biggest size it came in was still too small. She says she determined to lose the weight and fit into her dream gown, and that’s just what she did. How fab does she look? Let’s hear it for focus and commitment!
Marquita recalls checking out all 6 feet 2 inches of Chris the day he walked into her party; from “his black Timbs to his almond eyes.” She was instantly smitten!
Symbols of Marquita and Chris’ undying love for one another.
Marquita, we fell in love with your flower style. Toss that bouquet our way!
Marquita looked so graceful on her wedding day. Her vintage inspired birdcage veil is to die for!
Marquita’s lovely bridesmaids bare the late winter temps (sans coats!) to be sure and strike a pretty pose for the cameras.
Even the little ladies in attendance were styled from head to toe. What a cute bunch!
Happy groom Chris hails from the Brownsville neighborhood of Brooklyn. His mother is Trinidadian and his father grew up in South Carolina.
Marquita, who grew up nearby New Orleans, looks stunning as she arrives in her “carriage” — a white on white classic vintage car just dripping with sophistication and style.
Marquita begins her bridal march in true style. The couple choose a venue with rustic, classic style to match their wedding theme.
Marquita and Chris chose an intimate 18th century Gothic episcopal church to hold their ceremony in. The small church only had room for about 30 families, making it perfect for a cozy ceremony.
When it came to ceremony decor, Marquita and Chris chose seasonal accents for the aisle and lovely over-sized ribbons.
“One of the best decisions we made was to include the children,” says Marquita “They brought a joy and abandon that truly created the atmosphere we wanted.”
The bridal party eagerly awaits the arrival of the beautiful bride.
Marquita and her mom hold hands tightly as they maker their way down the aisle.
After Marquita and Chris picked their venue, she thought to herself, “this small country church is about to bare witness to something extremely powerful.”
A spectacular view of the couple’s first official kiss as husband and wife.
Marquita and Chris warmly lock eyes as they prepare to head back down the aisle together as the new Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell.
“It was a certain lightness of spirit and deep sense of familiarity that let us know this love was meant to be,” says Marquita.
The couple’s dear friends and family lined up to greet the newlyweds.
It seems that Marquita and Chris can barely contain themselves as they bask in the joy of their very special day.
Trolleys were used to transport the couple’s guests back and forth between ceremony and reception venues.
When Chris woke Marquita up one morning to ask her to go with him to Jared’s jewelery store she knew “the time had come.”
“Sometimes I think I knew he was The One the moment he walked into my house for my 4th of July party,” says Marquita.
To house their post-wedding parties, Marquita and Chris chose The Inn at Millrace Pond, which was comprised of an 18th century stone grain mill.
Guests dined at cozy king’s tables decked out in gorgeous table treatments that were both classic and chic.
The newlyweds are greeted by a room filled with welcoming applause and happiness as they’re presented as husband and wife for the first time.
Chris takes his new wife Marquita out on the dance floor for a romantic spin.
A younger Marquita and Chris greet guests on their stationery.
This is what we like to call wedding cake perfection. Sometimes less is much, much more.
During their reception the couple showed a slideshow of their family photos and the bride and her mother started the Second Line to pay tribute to their Louisiana roots.
Friends and family jump for joy as they try to get at least a finger on Marquita’s lucky bouquet.
Yummy favorites to help guests savor the little taste of New Orleans and Trinidad that the couple gave them at their wedding reception.
Guests gather around the happy couple and help keep things both cozy and lively on the dance floor.
This tender moment for two was captured beautifully by the couple’s photographer.
We love how in love Marquita and Chris appear — it’s an inspiration to see beautiful black love at every age.
