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Home • Weddings

Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding

The couple chose a fun alternative to the traditional wedding cake at their industrial reception.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
By Jasmine Grant · Updated December 6, 2020
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Maya and André’s love blossomed online. André cofounded an apparel line with a friend, who then asked Maya and her twin sister to model in their photo shoot. “About a year after the photo shoot, André reached out to me via Instagram to get my ‘help’ with a design concept,” says Maya. “That help eventually transitioned into a good morning text, which eventually led to our first date at a local speakeasy. Love soon followed.”

Shortly after their meeting, Maya moved five hours away to North Carolina for graduate school. Though André instinctively felt she was the one, he wasn’t initially sure a long-distance relationship could work. “I volunteered to help bring some of her belongings down for her and help her get settled,” André says, “At this point, I knew I was head over heels crazy for her.”

Two years into the relationship, during a trip to Paris, André planned a carefully laid out proposal that blew his bride-to-be away. Just like both of their parents, the couple decided on a March wedding date. “We first decided on North Carolina because we both have family down there and my parents recently moved there,” says Maya. “We had to change our venue six months out from our wedding date because our original venue was required to undergo unforeseen renovations mandated by the city. We ended up choosing our second option, a refurbished Cadillac service garage, which turned out to be a perfect fit for us and our design.”

Scroll through the gallery to see the most gorgeous moments from Maya and André’s modern North Carolina wedding.

Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Send your story and a link to your wedding photos to [email protected] for consideration.

01
Meet The Revells
Bride: Maya Barrow, clinical oncology researcher, 29 Groom: André Revell II, communications strategist, 31 Theme: Modern Venue: Cadillac Service Garage, Greensboro, NC Planning/Florals & Design: J. L. Evans Consulting Photography: Tory Bass Photography DJ: DJ KDOT Art/Stationery: Kelli Anderson Bridal Makeup: AmberLynne Bridal Hair: Zina Barrow & Chante Robinson Wedding Dress: Caceres by Pronovias Atelier Bride’s Shoes: Evamarie by Badgley Mischka Bride’s Chapel Veil: Etsy Groom’s Suit: Custom Tuxedo by Suitsupply Groom’s Shoes: Gucci Jordaan GG Velvet Loafer Bridesmaid Makeup: Ty Bridesmaid Dress: Kleinfeld Groomsmen Suit: ASOS Linens: Party Makers Event Rentals Caterer: Visions Catering Dessert: Duck Donuts Furniture Rental: The Prettiest Pieces Photo Booth: Mehmet Demirci Photography LLC
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
02
The Proposal
André surprised Maya with a trip to Europe as a graduation gift, and the date happened to coincide with their two-year anniversary, “He wrote a letter to me each day for the seven days leading up to our anniversary,” says Maya. “That Thursday (our actual anniversary) we checked into the hotel and I got in the shower. When I walked out, the room was covered with rose petals (3,000 to be exact, lol). He had made a walkway with candles and ‘Blessed’ by Daniel Caesar (one of our faves) was playing in the background. Then he says, ‘This is card number 7…but I’m going to read this one to you.’ It was the proposal.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
03
Surrounded By Love
“My wedding day was better than I could have imagined,” says Maya. “I had my best girls beside me to bring great energy and surround me with love during the whole planning process and the day of the wedding. I did not feel one ounce of stress.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
04
Made For Me
“Before Maya and I began dating, I prayed that my next relationship would be my last one,” says André. “Not long after our first date, I knew she was perfect for me and I prayed again that God would make this work.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
05
It’s All In The Details
The lace detailing of Maya’s dress stopped us in our tracks.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
06
Fit Like A Glove
Maya found her wedding dress while shopping around with her parents and sister. “My wedding dress consultant ended up convincing me to try on a sleek dress with long sleeves,” she says. “At first I was skeptical. It was the third or fourth dress I tried on, and when I did, I knew that one was it! My family was completely sold.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
07
Modern Style
The groom and his groomsmen opted not to go with do the traditional tux and we love it!
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
08
Headed To The Altar
A moment of prayer before the main event.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
09
All White Everything
“I always wanted to get a dress from Kleinfeld,” says the bride. “But since I was unable to make a trip up to New York to shop for a wedding dress, I knew they would have a great selection for my girls. My sister, who was my maid of honor, helped me choose the final dress that they ended up wearing, which was so flattering on her and each of my bridesmaids.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
10
Anticipation
Guests await the arrival of the happy couple.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
11
#Blessed
Maya’s father walked her down the aisle to “Blessed “by Daniel Caesar, the same song that played during André’s proposal.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
12
MARCHing Into The Future
“Part of the reason we selected our wedding date was because both of our parents got married in March,” says Maya. “Both of our parents gave advice in planning as well as preparing for marriage. They both encouraged premarital counseling which we did six weeks leading up to our wedding. Those sessions allowed us to ask each other tough questions, address touchy topics and get Christian advice from a neutral third party. We had homework and reading to complete, but it was well worth it.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
13
New Beginnings
The couple took communion together for the first time as husband and wife.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
14
I Now Pronounce You…
The crowd went wild as the groom kissed the bride.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
15
Bridal Style
The bride and groom’s custom biker jacks won our hearts.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
16
Homie, Lover, Friend
“Maya is my best friend,” says André. “We’re always on the same vibe. Time flies when we’re together, but there’s always more to look forward to in our relationship.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
17
Modern Romance
Baby’s breath and candles added romance to the couple’s industrial venue.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
18
Flip The Scene
Maya and André wanted to stay in the same location for the ceremony and reception, so the space was flipped during cocktail hour. “It was important that the guests didn’t have to leave the venue,” says the bride.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
19
Love Everywhere
“After the first minute of our first dance, we invited our parents to join us and the DJ shouted out their anniversaries,” says Maya. “We then invited the other couples to the dance floor to join in on the first dance. It was such a sweet moment to just look around and see all the couples dancing along with us. Everyone could feel the love in the room.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
20
No Greater Love
“It felt good to be a groom,” André tells ESSENCE. “I’ve been a groomsman in four weddings and attended others in the past. I’ve always enjoyed it. But I really enjoyed seeing our friends and family in one room, celebrating love. The energy was unmatched.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
21
Put Some Respect On Our (Last) Name
The Revells had custom signage that brought so much personality to their space.
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
22
Who’s Ready For Dessert?
The Revells decided to go with doughnuts for their dessert instead of a traditional wedding cake. “For our first date, André took me to a speakeasy where they served doughnuts,” Maya explains. “So we wanted to remember that with our favorites from Duck Donuts.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
23
Moving Down The Line
“I sang the Sweetheart Song with my line sisters and sorors (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.),” says Maya. “André sang his National Fraternity’s (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.) Hymn.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
24
Maya’s Advice To Brides
“Be in the moment! Your loved ones are all there to celebrate you and the love of your life! Soak it all up because these times are so rare and precious.”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
25
Whisked Away
The couple jetted off to Mexico and Napa Valley for their honeymoon just before the COVID-19 shutdown. “No one mentioned COVID-19 in Mexico, but shortly after we arrived in Napa, restaurants were shutting down and most of our reservations were canceled,” says the couple. “We still made the most of our trip, but we will need to go back to get the full ‘Napa experience.’”
Bridal Bliss: We Couldn't Take Our Eyes Off Maya And André's Modern North Carolina Wedding
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