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!
“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.”
A glam squad was on hand to help Rashidah look her very best on her big day.
The Mrs. ordered custom accessories to commemorate the special occasion.
Rashidah wore the Anna Maier “Lea” gown.
“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.”
Drew popped the question at the exact same place where he first met his lady love.
We just love a well-dressed groom.
A beautiful bouquet for a lovely bride.
We just love this pillow. Too sweet.
Drew sure was one happy groom. What a smile!
“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.”
Let's hear it for the (very!) well dressed fellas!
“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.”
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.
“We each feel whole and complete as individuals, but we compliment each other perfectly,” says Drew.
Rashidah looked stunning from head-to-toe on her big day.
Drew and his groomsmen look great!
Rashidah's smile was absolutely contagious.
The couple's ceremony was held at Abyssian Baptist Church in Harlem, NY.
“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.”
Rashidah was all smiles on her way to the ceremony.
“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.
Rashidah describes her father as the first man she ever loved!
The bride said when she got close enough to the altar to see that her groom was beaming it warmed her heart!
“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.”
You may now kiss the bride!
It's official!
For her something "new," Rashidah opted to go with a pair silver lamee Louboutins shoes for her big day.
"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."
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."
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. "
The couple utilized the rustic Italian décor and style of the venue to add to the ambiance of their reception.
Rashidah and Drew said their reception "felt like a college party! [Everyone] started dancing before the reception even began!"
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.
The couple shared photographs from their parent's wedding days while celebrating their own.
Rashidah and Drew chose a simple cake design that was rich with flavor as a sweet treat on their simple day.
Each table was decorated with delicate flowers and candelabras as a centerpiece.
Wine corks were used as stands for reception guests' placecards. How creative and cute!
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."
Rashidah said she truly loved her experience as a bride! "It was more joy than I ever thought I could feel in one day."
“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.”
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. "
Rashidah loves that Drew "believes in the power of close family and friends and fiercely protective of those he loves."
