When Bencil proposed, Shalisha says she cried for sure. “I didn’t know it was coming,” she says. “Yes, we had talked about marriage, but nothing prepared me for that moment.”
Shalisha and Bencil fell in love in high school and made their love last through their tough college years. They were overjoyed to make it official on June 18, 2011.
Shalisha’s bridesmaids help her slip into her stunning mermaid gown with pretty rosette detailing.
“I went back and forth between two dresses,” Shalisha shares. “I decided to get the Allure gown. I chose it to add a little edginess to our elegant theme.”
Shalisha and her beautiful bridesmaids strike a pose.
His and hers wedding rings represent their future together as husband and wife.
Even Shalisha’s shoes were all dressed up in love.
What a unique way to show everyone a little photo love on the big day. This portrait is 100 percent frame-worthy.
Shalisha and her flower girl share a precious moment on the stairs.
What a handsome looking bunch of men — the little one included.
When it came to wedding plans, Bencil let his wife-to-be take the lead. “It’s whatever you like babe” was the response Shalisha would hear every time she asked him to weigh in.
Shalisha’s bouquet is so lovely it deserves a moment all its own.
The groom and his crew share a laugh. We just love the little guy squeezed in there. How adorable is he?
“We didn’t go to college together, so we always made time to burn up the highway from Houston to Dallas,” says Shalisha.
We’re nuts about Shalisha and Bencil’s beautiful custom gobo light above their ceremony site. Plus, how stunning are those floral arrangements? This couple pulled out all of the stops!
The flower girl and ring bearer look adorable on their way down the aisle.
What a lovely way to make an entrance!
The bride makes her way to her groom escorted by her mother. How lovely does mom look in that purple gown? Stunning!
What we would have given to be sitting at this ceremony. What a lovely place to say “I do”. The florals just take our breath away!
Shalisha and Bencil stare into each other’s eyes as the officiant presides over their touching ceremony. “There wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” remembers Shalisha.
Shalisha and Bencil light their unity candle.
The new Mr. and Mrs. Smith make a stunning first appearance as they head back down the aisle.
Shalisha and Bencil’s large bridal party was comprised mostly of the bride’s sorority sisters and groom’s fraternity brothers. How spectacular is this photo?
Bencil and his boys pose on the staircase for a shot sure to be remembered.
“It wasn’t love at first sight,” says Shalisha. ”But I knew for sure that Ben didn’t compare to any of the other guys I’d dated. As time moved on, he continued to show me that he wasn’t your average Joe.”
Could these two look any happier together?
Don’t you just love the way Shalisha looks at Bencil? We do!
Shalisha and Bencil share a first dance to be remembered.
Did we mention how much we adore their floral centerpieces? So beautiful — the pretty pinks and purples make quite the combo.
We love how Shalisha and Bencil flipped the ceremony site and turned it into the perfect place for a reception party.
Shalisha’s sorority sisters and family members surround her with love.
The ladies go nuts for the bouquet toss. What a lively bunch!
The groom and guests boogey down on the dance floor.
Don’t you wish you could insert yourself into this party scene? Clearly the bridal party knew how to have a good time.
The beaming bride and groom cut into their beautiful four-tier cake.
Bencil’s groom’s cake was iced out in football swag.
Shalisha decided to skip tradition when it came to bridal style. "I realized at the last minute that I didn’t have something old, new, borrowed, or blue and I felt myself getting overwhelmed when trying to decide,’ she says. “So instead of stressing myself out, I just did away with the whole idea.”
Shalisha could not have looked more beautiful than she did standing their on the stairs on her wedding day. We absolutely adore this photo!
What a perfect match. They look so happy.
Bencil gives his lovely bride a dip in front of this stunning backdrop.
Shalisha and Bencil during their grand exit.
The couple chose the perfect photographer to capture their special day. With so many photos as one-of-a-kind as this one, it was nearly impossible for us to pick our favorite, even though this one does come pretty close.
The newlyweds pose before getting into their getaway car and share this special message with their beloved guests. To see more fabulous photos from Shalisha and Bencil’s wedding click here now to visit The Bride’s Cafe.
