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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Rashidah and Drew's New York Wedding

Want to know the secret to finding true love? Live your life! Rashidah met her future husband Drew while vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard with friends. See their romantic wedding day!

By Charli Penn · February 10, 2016October 27, 2020
01
Love Will Find A Way

Want to know the secret to finding true love? Live your life! Rashidah met her future husband Drew while vacationing in Martha’s Vineyard with friends. See their romantic wedding day!

Joshua Dwain Photography
02
Famous Firsts

“It was the first dress I tried on and even though I went to a few different bridal salons and tried on numerous dresses afterwards, I knew the first dress was the right one,” said the bride. “I loved the delicate and intricate lace and the traditional beauty of the dress. I felt like a ‘timeless’ bride in the dress.”

Joshua Dwain Photography
03
Bridal Glam

A glam squad was on hand to help Rashidah look her very best on her big day.

Joshua Dwain Photography
04
Something Just For Her

The Mrs. ordered custom accessories to commemorate the special occasion.

Joshua Dwain Photography
05
Just Hangin’

Rashidah wore the Anna Maier “Lea” gown.

Joshua Dwain Photography
06
Pretty, Pretty Things

“I wore a French lace Sara Gabriel veil and a pair silver lamee Louboutins,” said the bride. “For the reception, I removed the veil and wore a beaded belt to add some sparkle for the party.”

Joshua Dwain Photography
07
Total Gentleman

Drew popped the question at the exact same place where he first met his lady love.

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08
One Dapper Dude

We just love a well-dressed groom.

Joshua Dwain Photography
09
Oh So Lovely

A beautiful bouquet for a lovely bride.

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10
Yes Love!

We just love this pillow. Too sweet.

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11
Happiness Realized

Drew sure was one happy groom. What a smile!

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12
Surreal Times

“Being at the altar was surreal for us both,” said Rashidah. “I couldn’t have imagined the feeling I would have in that moment knowing that I was marrying the person I love and my partner in life. We also never imagined how much pure joy each of us would feel in that moment.”

Joshua Dwain Photography
13
Hey Guys

Let’s hear it for the (very!) well dressed fellas!

Joshua Dwain Photography
14
Amazing Ladies

“Rashidah’s bridesmaids wore gorgeous Amsale gowns. “I wanted a rich color and I loved the blue-grey hue,” she said. “I chose different styles for each woman based on their unique style and personality. They looked amazing.”

Joshua Dwain Photography
15
Small Circle

Rashidah kept her bridal party small by chosing her “women of honor” in her childhood best friend and her college best friend along with her sister. 

Joshua Dwain Photography
16
The Perfect Package

“We each feel whole and complete as individuals, but we compliment each other perfectly,” says Drew.

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17
RD
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18
Head-To-Toe Beauty

Rashidah looked stunning from head-to-toe on her big day.

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19
Dapper Dudes

Drew and his groomsmen look great!

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20
Absolutely Glowing

Rashidah’s smile was absolutely contagious.

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21
RD
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22
History in Harlem

The couple’s ceremony was held at Abyssian Baptist Church in Harlem, NY.

Joshua Dwain Photography
23
A Father’s Love

“My father’s undaunting love and adoration for my mother (they’ve been married for 44 years) modeled the way a man should love and care for a woman,” said Rashidah. “I knew I was ready to marry Drew when I saw that he did the same for me.”

Joshua Dwain Photography
24
Somebody’s Getting Married

Rashidah was all smiles on her way to the ceremony.

Joshua Dwain Photography
25
Here She Comes

“When the doors of the church opened and I walked down the aisle arm in arm with my Dad, my friend, Carlene Shankle, was singing a beautiful rendition of ‘Overjoyed’  by Stevie Wonder (my favorite artist),” said Rashidah.

Joshua Dwain Photography
26
Best Man

Rashidah describes her father as the first man she ever loved!

Joshua Dwain Photography
27
Grinning Groom

The bride said when she got close enough to the altar to see that her groom was beaming it warmed her heart!

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28
All According to Plan

“The ceremony began on time at 4p.m.,” said the bride. “Our guests traveled from Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem NY to the meatpacking district in downtown Manhattan.”

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29
Pucker Up, Baby!

You may now kiss the bride!

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30
Mr. & Mrs.

It’s official!

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31
New Shoes

For her something “new,” Rashidah opted to go with a pair silver lamee Louboutins shoes for her big day. 

Joshua Dwain Photography
32
Life Partners

“We both believed that the decision one makes for a life partner is the most important and impactful decision of our lives and were certain in our partnership for life.”

Joshua Dwain Photography
33
Man She Married

Rashidah loves that Drew is “Intelligent and highly motivated, but also incredibly playful and funny. [She] loves that [they] can debate sociopolitical issues in one moment and pillow fight the next.”

Joshua Dwain Photography
34
Daddy-Daughter Moments

The father of the bride helped her keep from crying as she walked down the aisle to her groom.

“I saw all of my family and friends and felt so much love that the tears started to build up. And then my Dad leaned over and said to me quietly, ‘you know Rah…they’re all looking at me and noticing how good I look!’ I broke into laughter and huge smile flashed across my face. I saw all my family and friends smiling and I felt so much joy. “

Joshua Dwain Photography
35
Rustic Romance

The couple utilized the rustic Italian décor and style of the venue to add to the ambiance of their reception.

Joshua Dwain Photography
36
College Daze

Rashidah and Drew said their reception “felt like a college party! [Everyone] started dancing before the reception even began!”

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37
Unbreakable

A truly chance encounter at a 4th of July event sparked the love between these two so much so that, neither one expected their initial meeting to develop into what is now their unbreakable bond.

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38
Ode to Old Love

The couple shared photographs from their parent’s wedding days while celebrating their own.

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39
Cutting the Cake

Rashidah and Drew chose a simple cake design that was rich with flavor as a sweet treat on their simple day.

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40
Candelabra Centerpieces

Each table was decorated with delicate flowers and candelabras as a centerpiece.

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41
Candles and Corks

Wine corks were used as stands for reception guests’ placecards. How creative and cute!

Joshua Dwain Photography
42
Love and Family

Love and family was the theme for the couple’s big day.

“We simply wanted close family and friend to share in our celebration and enjoy amazing food, drinks and being with each other.”

Joshua Dwain Photography
43
Beaming Bride

Rashidah said she truly loved her experience as a bride! “It was more joy than I ever thought I could feel in one day.”

Joshua Dwain Photography
44
It’s A Party!

“DJ Kris Karver kept the guests happy at the couple’s big day. “One of my Spelman sisters, Robbie Ann Darby, contracted with him for her fitness training classes and said that her clients loved him. She was right, he was amazing and kept everyone (I mean everyone) on the dance floor all night.”

Joshua Dwain Photography
45
His Bride, His Bliss

The groom says that the thing he loves most about his bride is “her intense love for her family and friends. She will go above and beyond to ensure their happiness and well-being. “

Joshua Dwain Photography
46
Makings of Her Man

Rashidah loves that Drew “believes in the power of close family and friends and fiercely protective of those he loves.”

Joshua Dwain Photography

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