“I never believed in love at first sight,” says Stacie. “But the moment Morris turned around outside of my office the day we met, I instantly knew that he was going to be my husband.”
Stacie slipped into her stunning Stephen Yearick gown with a little help from her supportive bridesmaids. “It was actually the third dress I tried on,” she tells us.
“I knew my dress was The One when I looked in the mirror and I could see myself walking down the aisle to Morris in it,” Stacie tells us. “I got very emotional.” Her dress journey was filmed for an episode of TLC’s reality show I Found the Gown.
“I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life with a better, more compassionate man,” says Stacie. “He makes me feel complete and I want to be a better Christian woman for him.”
“One of my closest friends passed away from kidney disease a few years ago,” Stacie shares. “Her favorite color was turquoise, so I had each bridesmaid bouquet tied with a turquoise ribbon in her honor.”
The back of Stacie’s wedding gown was so stunning it earned a portrait all its own.
Stacie and her hairstylist Dana Gibbs tried multiple styles before they decided on this “big Texas” hairstyle. “She found a picture of the style I wore,” says the bride. “We both instantly knew it was the style. She did an amazing job.” Adillia Edwards, a friend of one of her bridesmaids, styled Stacie’s wedding makeup.
Morris wore a European-style tailored tuxedo designed by Vera Wang and chose a similar look for his groomsmen.
Stacie’s bridesmaids wore Bari Jay gowns on her big day. “I originally wanted them in pink, but quickly realized that color would not be elegant or flattering on all of the girls,” she recalls. “I tried on the black dress and loved how elegant it looked especially with a sash for a pop of color.”
Morris and his dapper groomsmen had no problem posing for the cameras, and having fun while they were at it. We love this shot of the fellas being a little silly on the big day.
“We wanted a venue that would allow us to host everything in one location,” Stacie recalls. “We loved our venue’s chapel. We are from two different religious backgrounds and we wanted a church-feel without having to choose one of our religions.”
The ladies showed off their silly sides too. What a fun shot of them working those gowns. Note to brides: Black gowns are always a hit with bridesmaids because they can really make them their own.
“I love that Stacie loves me unconditionally,” explains Morris. “She pushes me to be a better man in so many ways.”
Stacie and Morris did all of their wedding planning on their own, and we just loved their aisle style. The chose to decorate the ceremony aisle in the chapel with big pretty flower pomanders and sprinkled rose petals.
Stacie’s father, who had just turned 77 that week, walked his lovely daughter down the aisle. “It was a very special moment for us,” she recalls. “My dad suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.”
The happy couple had a custom monogrammed aisle runner made to commemorate their special day.
“I chose Stacie as my wife because she is beautiful, intelligent and a spiritual woman,” says Morris. “To be able to come home every day and have someone laugh with you is why I go to bed at night and wake up every morning with a smile on my face.”
“Morris’ playfulness is one of the things I love most about him,” says the beaming bride. “I feel completely comfortable around him. He allows me to be myself and the goofball that I am. We always find things to laugh about together.”
“Looking into Morris’ eyes at the altar, I felt blessed beyond measure,” says Stacie. “I felt truly happy to be marrying this amazing man.” Her groom was equally smitten. “I felt like the luckiest man in the world,” he says.”
The happy couple picked the perfect chapel for a romantic ceremony. The Ashton Gardens chapel’s high ceilings and dramatic aisle were a great touch.
Happily ever after began for the bride and groom the moment that they sealed the deal with a romantic kiss at the altar.
Let’s hear it for the new Mr. and Mrs. Martin!
Stacie and Morris were all smiles after officially tying the knot. Morris admits that he cried before Stacie even walked into the chapel and she cops to waterworks during the vows.
The couple hosted a formal sit-down dinner after a cocktail hour. They filled the room with stunning tablescapes in their signature colors.
Crystals hung from tall centerpiece vases filled with lush hydrangea arrangements.
Each reception table was named after places in the North and South that are important to the bride and groom, like their colleges, hometowns and favorite local landmarks.
The Martins made a grand entrance into their reception party as the remix of Jagged Edge’s “Let’s Get Married” played.
They followed their big entrance with a fun “Harlem Shake” off between the bride and her bridesmaids and the groom and his groomsmen.
Stacie and Morris chose a simple but elegant three-tiered cake with pink ribbon and crystal decor. Talk about elegant!
For their first dance as husband and wife, Stacie and Morris glided across the dance floor to the sounds of “Love’s Holiday” by Earth, WInd & Fire.
Stacie and Morris were all smiles at their reception.
A hip hop violinist played alongside the deejay during the couple’s cocktail hour but during the reception the deejay took over and spun a mix of hits from the North and the South.
“Being a bride was amazing,” says Stacie. “The day of the wedding I was totally surrounded by my closest girlfriends and having a blast. It was truly the most fun day of my life. It was a great experience and I truly felt special.”
Stacie and Morris honeymooned in Anguilla. If you loved their wedding as much as we did, please leave the happy couple a little comment love below! Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us now!
