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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Mary and Alain

Alain first laid eyes on Mary at an AKA party, but he missed his shot and left without saying hello. After a second failed attempt to get her attention, he prayed for clarity. Afterwards Mary was still the only woman on his mind. As you can see, he finally got the girl!

By Charli Penn · February 26, 2014October 27, 2020
01
An Exemplary Love

“From the beginning Mary showed and exemplified everything that a woman of God would be,” says proud groom Alain. “She was so supportive of my dreams, my vision and my direction.”

Janelle C. Photography
02
Number One Stunner

Mary stunned her groom in this gorgeous La Sposa gown. “I found it off the rack at A Savvy Bride in Brookfield, Wisconsin,” she tells us. “I was blessed to have found it in my size. My mother and I set up four appointments in one weekend and I found this at the first bridal shop we went to.”

Janelle C. Photography
03
So Beautiful

Mary’s engagement ring is a real beauty. Alain popped the question in Dubai after he traveled to Wisconsin to personally ask her family for their approval.

Janelle C. Photography
04
A Reflection Of Us

“I most love Alain’s spirituality and his conversation,” says Mary. “He is steadfast and strong in his beliefs, and it is the cornerstone of his life and our marriage. It is our foundation. He is very committed to his life reflecting Christ and our marriage reflecting the love of Christ and the church.”

Janelle C. Photography
05
My Day

“At the point where I was getting my make-up and hair done, it finally began to feel like my day,” Mary admits. “Once my girls were all with me, and my mom too, it started to really sink in.”

Janelle C. Photography
06
From Test to Success

“I knew I wanted to show off the length of my hair and Alain really wanted it to be straight and not curly,” says Mary. “I knew my natural hair and didn’t want to risk it being bone straight with the potential to frizz in the heat. I tested my hair with my friend back in Orlando and she let me borrow her wand. After the test run I knew I wanted my hair that way.”

Janelle C. Photography
07
Posin’ Pretty

Mary’s bridal party posed pretty for the camera in their matching gift robes.

Janelle C. Photography
08
Pretty, Pretty, Pretty

“When I tried my dress on with a veil I looked at my mom, we teared up and I knew it was the one,” says Mary.  “I cancelled all the other appointments and negotiated a little since it was right off the rack. Then I walked right out with my wedding dress.”

Janelle C. Photography
09
Bargain Beauty

“My shoes were on sale for $20 by Nina,” Mary boasts. What a steal!

10
Something About You

“I knew there was something that first night we met,” says Mary. “Was it ‘the one’ feeling? No, but I knew he and I were supposed to connect. It came later in our discussions around faith and how we agreed on the word. We would listen to podcasts on different spiritual topics, take notes and come together to discuss in detail. It was in these moments I learned what drove him in purpose in his life and that was what I wanted, a God fearing man.”

Janelle C. Photography
11
Spirit Vibes

“What I love most about her is her spirit,” says Alain. “I was drawn to her spirit first, before I heard about who she was, what she does and where she came from. I just knew and loved her spirit.” 

Janelle C. Photography
12
A Perfect Choice

“I initially really loved the calla lilly but it wasn’t in our price range,” Mary explains. “I definitely wanted the bouquets to pop against my white dress and the dresses of the bridesmaids.” She enlisted the help of local florist Jamie Beauchamp of Jaimers Flora for help in coming up with this lovely creation.

Janelle C. Photography
13
A Circle of Trust

College friends (FAMU, anyone?), siblings and family members help to round out Mary and Alain’s beautiful bridal party.

Janelle C. Photography
14
Phenomenal Woman

“I sought God about where it was going, what it entailed and who she was supposed to be in my life,” says Alain of the moments he was falling for Mary. ” I felt that I was in a place where God saw fit to bless me with a phenomenal woman. As things began to develop, I recognized her for the woman she was.”

Janelle C. Photography
15
Wonder Kids

Alain’s god son served as their ring bearer and his niece their flower girl. Aren’t they just the cutest?

Janelle C. Photography
16
Contagious Love

Mary’s bridal glow is just contagious. We’re grinning from ear to ear!

Janelle C. Photography
17
An Exploration of Love

“We can talk about it all,” Mary insists. “Our vulnerabilities, our passions and any other random topic we dive into. We will pause any movie or TV show and engage into a discussion on the spot. We continuously explore every aspect of life.”

Janelle C. Photography
18
A God Fearing Man

“We would listen to podcasts on different spiritual topics, take notes and come together to discuss in detail,” says Mary. “It was in these moments I learned what drove him in purpose in his life and that was what I wanted, a God fearing man.”

Janelle C. Photography
19
#LoveBirds

The social media savvy couple made sure that their smart-phone carrying guests knew exactly which hashtags to use on their special day. We absolutely adore this idea! It’s both original and fun.

Janelle C. Photography
20
For the Fellas

Ciagrs for the fellas’ photo opps on the couple’s celebratory big day.

Janelle C. Photography
21
Woman of My Dreams

“Her very belief in me was what made me strong and what encouraged me to keep going,” says Alain. “After fasting and praying I came to the decision that it was time to have this woman with me for the rest of my life.”

Janelle C. Photography
22
Write This Way

Chalkboards were used as decor signs at the couple’s outdoor ceremony location to indicate which sides the guests should gather on.

Janelle C. Photography
23
Close to Home

“At the time of our engagement Alain was being considered for opportunities in the northeast and I did not want to risk having to travel back to Orlando to have the wedding when the majority of our families were not in the state of Florida,” says Mary. “Therefore, we went with tradition and have it in my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.” The couple decided to tie the knot at the gorgeous Olympia Resort and Spa.

Janelle C. Photography
24
Hold Me In Your Arms

Pretty bouquets for the pretty ladies. The blooms complement their gowns perfectly!

Janelle C. Photography
25
Baby, Come to Me

Alain was overcome with emotion as he watched his lovely bride-to-be Mary make her way down the aisle.

Janelle C. Photography
26
Ready For Love

“My father walked me down the aisle to the song ‘I’m Ready For Love’ by India.Arie,” says the beaming bride. “He walked me down for the significance of me going from one covering of a man to another, in addition to tradition.”

Janelle C. Photography
27
Rise Up

“When I saw Mary from a distance, all the emotions came rushing in like a flood,” says Alain. “I was standing before my family and friends who were all here to support this very moment. I was overwhelmed with emotion when Mary came around that corner.  She was so beautiful, I was getting married to this beautiful woman before all these people and most importantly before God. I felt all the love for her rise up in me.” 

Janelle C. Photography
28
All Grown Up

“Our officiant was Dr. E. Allan Sorum,” says Mary. “I attended a small private school in Milwaukee and he was the pastor of the church for the duration that I attended the school. He is now a professor at a seminary college in Mequon, WI, but I wanted nothing more than the man who preached to me as a child to be there to oversee this covenant.”

Janelle C. Photography
29
Uniting As One

“We included the unity candle tradition at the wedding to symbolize two becoming one flesh,” says Mary. “It was about 65 degrees and the wind was blowing so we had to act it out as the candles kept blowing out.”

Janelle C. Photography
30
Before God

“We had a Christian based ceremony with scripture readings and traditional marriage rites,” says Mary. “We wrote our own vows. Our guests were included in a scripture responsive reading. I wanted to have a direct connection with God. I wanted to be in his created nature.”

Janelle C. Photography
31
Sealed With a Kiss

Congrats to the happy couple!

Janelle C. Photography
32
Introducing the Mr. and His Mrs.

Here come Mr. and Mrs. Pompilus!

Janelle C. Photography
33
A Peaceful Love

“I felt good to be a groom,” Alain admits. “I enjoyed the time hanging out with my groomsmen kicking it in the suite. We joked, we laughed and we talked about me becoming a married man in a matter of hours. At the altar, I felt happy to be there.  I was at peace about what I was about to do.”

Janelle C. Photography
34
Groove With Me

We love Mary and Alain’s first dance song pick. They chose Anthony Hamilton’s “Best Of Me,” a true classic.

Janelle C. Photography
35
A Sweet Friendship

“Our wedding cake was made by my former classmate from FAMU,” Mary tells us.  “Her name is Amber Martin and she started a bakery, Seasons Baked Goods, and I wanted to help her grow her business. She traveled all the way from Manhattan to bake in my mother’s kitchen for three days. She made our wedding cake, cupcakes and cake pops too.”

Janelle C. Photography
36
There’s Something About Mary

“I have never met someone so gentle, so loving and so sincere in my life,” says Alain. “Her commitment to God is real, and she is dedicated to feeding her spirit with His word. Anyone that meets her, would say the same thing. There really is ‘something about Mary.'” Ha! We agree.

Janelle C. Photography
37
Romance Realized

We just adored Mary and Alain’s love story and wedding day. If you did too, don’t forget to leave them a little comment love below.

Janelle C. Photography

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