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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding

Tamika and Maurice attended high school together but lost touch after graduation. Fifteen years later a mutual friend reconnected them. “Had anyone told us all those years ago that we would be married with children, we’d probably laugh in their face or call them a liar,” says the bride. “But during our courtship, we realized that the chemistry between us had changed.” See their romantic New York “I dos.”
By Charli Penn · Updated October 27, 2020
01
A Perfect Love

“Maurice is very attentive to me and my needs,” says happy bride Tamika. “He is thoughtful. He is loving, and makes an effort to show me how much he cares. He is loyal, trustworthy and a confidant. I can definitely let my guard down with him and know that he won’t judge me.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
02
A Defining Moment

“My dress was designed by Maggie Sottero,” Tamika shares. “It actually was not the dress I thought I’d be wearing the day of my wedding. The original dress I fell in love with, was also designed by Maggie Sottero. I had found it while looking at the designer’s website. It wasn’t the shape I imagined would best suit my figure. But when I put it on, I swear it was like the angels were singing. It was definitely a defining moment.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
03
A New Name

A custom favorites for an elegant bride.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
04
Something Different

“I wanted something a little different for my bouquet so I opted to have a brooch bouquet made,” says Tamika. “The bridesmaids bouquets consisted of calla lilies and roses.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
05
Small Wonders

“Our children were in our wedding,” says the bride. “They were our flower girls. Brandy was just eleven months old and I was afraid that she wouldn’t be able to walk down the aisle…literally. She was just learning how to walk, taking small steps. On our wedding day, she proved me wrong and walked down the aisle proudly. She even lost a shoe, but she was smiling the entire time. I hear she didn’t want to stop once she reached the end.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
06
Glam Squad

“Nicole Newland served as both my hairstylist and as a bridesmaid,” says Tamika. “She has been doing my hair for over 10 years. Robin Lynn of Robin Lynn Artistry did my makeup.” Cheers to the bride’s glam squad.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
07
Big and Small Moments

There were plenty of sweet candid moments like this one to go around on the couple’s big day.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
08
It’s A Group Thing

Another great group shot!

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
09
Groom’s Choice

The groom and groomsmen wore attire from the Men’s Warehouse. “The groom picked everything out, from the purple tie to the shoes,” the bride tells us.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
10
Emotion Overload

“I had a slew of emotions on my wedding day,” the bride shares. “I was anxious, nervous, sad and excited. I couldn’t wait to walk down the aisle and be ‘Mrs. Jones.’”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
11
I Love It

“One of the things that I love most about Tamika is her sense of humor,” says Maurice. “One of my favorite sounds is her infectious laugh, as if an invisible person is tickling her. One of my favorite activities is laughing with her. The smile that accompanies her laugh is like sunshine on a rainy day. I love it!”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
12
Made For Me

“She knows when to listen to me, when to empathize with me, when to laugh with me, when to cry with me, when to second-guess me, and even when to disagree with me,” says Maurice. “I guess the best way to describe it is that it feels like she was made specifically for me.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
13
Great Boyfriend, Even Better Hubby

“While we were dating, one of the qualities I loved most about Maurice is that he is very family orientated,” says Tamika. “And as my husband, he is the same way. There isn’t anything he won’t do for me and our girls. He makes it a point to ensure that we know that we are loved. Overall he is just a loving person.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
14
Our Moment

“My mother’s brother, my Uncle Harold walked me down the aisle,” says Tamika. “He has always been like a father figure to me and practically helped raise me into the woman I am today.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
15
All Of Me

“Music played a major role on our wedding day,” says Tamika. “Maurice and his groomsmen walked down the aisle to ‘You’ by Jesse Powell. My bridesmaids processional was ‘All of Me’ by John Legend. I walked down the aisle to ‘Dangerously In Love’ by Beyonce. Each song expressed how we felt about one another.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
16
Momma’s Favorite

“My cousin Kevin was the wedding officiate,” says Tamika. “He was one of my mother’s favorite cousin and he and I are very close to this day. He was honored to marry us and I was happy to have him do it.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
17
Just Glide

“A few times I’d remember how I always imagined that both my grandmother and my mother would be there to witness me exchange vows,” says Tamika. “I even told my mother that when I did get married, I wanted her to walk me down the aisle. Not having either of them there physically saddened me. Gradually, all that went away once I heard the music queued, the loft door to the venue opened and I saw Maurice standing there in his tux. It was almost like a fairytale. I felt like I glided down the aisle.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
18
Sit Down and Enjoy

“Guests were seated at their tables and remained at their tables while we walked down the aisle and exchanged our vows,” says Tamika.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
19
A Moment Of Reflection

“In an odd way, looking into his eyes at the altar was a liberating feeling,” says Tamika. “My Grandmother was a pastor, and I grew up in the church. Living with someone before marriage, or having a child before marriage isn’t exactly smiled upon. At that moment I didn’t feel ashamed of the choices I had made anymore. It all led to me marrying the man of my dreams.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
20
Sweet Tradition

“We chose to recite the traditional vows,” says the bride.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
21
Jumping For Joy

Of course the lovely couple couldn’t wait to jump the broom.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
22
Me and Mrs. Jones

Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Jones!

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
23
True Soul Mates

“I find myself giving her a title I’d previously never believed in — soul mate,” says Maurice. “She’s the Eve to my Adam.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
24
The Moment She Knew

“It was shortly after my mother passed away that I knew he was the one,” says Tamika. “Months in advance, Maurice had planned to go away on a vacation with his brothers. He was excited to go, but just days before he was supposed to board the plane, he mysteriously couldn’t find his passport. Maurice spent that Sunday looking for it to no avail. I had just come from seeing my mom at the hospital and I knew she probably wouldn’t make it through the night. To take my mind off of things, I asked if I could come by his place. It was at his apartment that I received the call that my mother had passed away. At that moment, he made my needs the most important thing. He never did find his passport and ultimately he missed his trip, but we spent every day together that week.” 

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
25
Twice As Nice

Tamika found these chic (and totally re-wearable) gowns for her bridesmaids at David’s Bridal.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
26
When The Time Is Right

“I didn’t think I would find true love how or when I did,” shares the lovely bride. “For a long time, I focused on taking care of my Grandmother and then eventually my Mother. Love was always on the back burner for me. And of all people, I would’ve never thought I’d fall for Maurice Jones from high school. It just goes to show that sometimes love really is right in front of you. You just may not see it until the time is right.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
27
In Loving Memory

The couple honored the ones they loved who couldn’t be with them on their special day with this lovely memoriam mirror.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
28
The Perfect Union

“Overall our theme was black and white with splashes of purple,” says Tamika. “This was the perfect union between his favorite color and mine.” 

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
29
Decor Fab

Tamika and Maurice’s tablescapes gave us instant decorgasms!

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
30
Style File

We adore Tamika and Maurice’s purple, black, white and damask wedding decor style.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
31
I’ll Love You Always

For their first dance they chose “Always” by Atlantic Starr.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
32
These Magic Moments

“On our wedding day, there was a magical feeling in the air,” says the bride. “I can honestly say that I had fun at my wedding. It felt like a party as well as a wedding.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
33
So Anxious

“Before that day, I never really anticipated how I would feel on the day of the wedding,” says Tamika. “I was too busy feeling eager for the day to come.” 

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
34
A Gorgeous Bride

“Tamika looked absolutely gorgeous!” boasts Maurice. “I have always believed that one can not improve upon perfection, but I was proven completely wrong on our wedding day.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
35
Can You Feel The Love?

The newlyweds were surrounded by love on their big day.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
36
New York, New York

The New York based couple got creative when it came to their escort cards. They used a design to mimic the New York City Metro subway cards.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
37
Sweet Overload

The couple’s sweetheart table was sweeter than sweet.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
38
Our Place

“Walking into the space, I immediately knew that was the 1 for me,” says Tamika. “It was almost like I envisioned my wedding day the moment I stepped into the venue. We did our due diligence and looked at other places, but nothing ever compared to it. I loved the rustic, industrial feel with the exposed brick, wooden beams, natural light and the view of Manhattan was to die for.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
39
Oh Sweet Love

“My cake was designed to mimic my wedding dress,” the bride recalls. “It was three tiered and red velvet. We didn’t want the traditional vanilla cake. We wanted something a little different. We also had a surprise groom cake that was made in the shape of a Hennessey bottle, Maurice’s favorite libation.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
40
A Romantic Reception

Romantic lighting effects helped to create the mood for elegance and celebration at the couple’s wedding reception.

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
41
Party On!

“At the wedding, we had a deejay,” says Tamika. “People raved about his musical choices. One highlight was that he played jazzy renditions of current hip hop songs which had guests playing name that tune at their table.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
42
Unique Plans

“Sitting down with my planner who happened to be my best friend (Camille Plummer), we started out by saying all of the things that we knew we wanted,” says Tamika. “For me, I knew that I wanted our wedding to be different, creative and reflect our personalities. I knew that I didn’t want it to be your typical, run of the mill, cookie cutter type of affair.”

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
43
Love Parade

Join us in congratulating Tamika and Maurice on their nuptials. Leave the happy couple a little comment love below. Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us now!

Bridal Bliss: Tamika and Maurice’s Brooklyn Wedding
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
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