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Home · Weddings

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley

High school besties-turned-lovers Tracey and Brad gave romance a try after her sisters insisted there was something special there. It only took one official date for them to realize what everyone else knew all along: they were always meant to be together. See their modern wedding in our nation's capitol.
By Charli Penn · Updated October 28, 2020
01
The Only One For Me

Tracey, 28, and Brad, 28, realize now that they were always meant to be together. “Even in high school when we were just good friends, I always wanted the best for Brad,” she says. “Throughout my time knowing Brad, I believed something told me that he would be my husband. But, I never pushed.” With a little help from her sisters, eventually they went on the first date that started it all.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
02
The Dress of All Dresses

“My search for the dress lasted just one day in one shop,” says Tracey. “I tried on seven dresses! I’m very much a person who knows my style and knows what I want. The dress fit my personal style perfectly — modern, yet classic, and simple with a bit of flare.” She settled on this gorgeous gown designed by Essence of Australia.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
03
Stepping Out In Style

Pretty shoes for a pretty, pretty bride on her wedding day.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
04
Face Forward

Tracey sat down to let makeup artist Kiate “Tay” Jones perfect her wedding day beauty look.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
05
Styling Time

“My planned hairstyle didn’t work out, so my hairstylist, Latrice Strader of Destiny De’ve, had to go with plan B,” Tracey recalls. “She’s an amazing stylist and plan B actually turned out to be a great hairdo that stayed intact throughout the entire day.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
06
Gone But Not Forgotten

“In June 2011, I lost my maternal grandmother who was very close to me,” says Tracey. “To honor her, I had three bouquet charms made with old photos of her. My sisters, who were both my maids of honor, wore them on their bouquets too.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
07
My Kind of Man

“I love that Brad is my best friend,” says Tracey. “We can just kick it. I love that I can genuinely feel his love for me and that he’s not afraid to show it in public or private.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
08
Floral Fun

Tracey’s favorite flower is the hydrangea. Her lovely bridal bouquet was filled with them. Her florist, Edge: Floral Event Deisgners, also mixed in white roses with feathers and crystals. The bridal party carried a similar bouquet style with black cyrstals.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
09
The Beginning and The End

“We both decided early on that we wanted our dating relationship to end in marriage,” says Tracey. “We were always on the same page.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
10
Small Treasures

The bride’s little cousin, Margo, was chosen to be the flower girl, and judging from that smile, she loved every single minute of it.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
11
A Good Man

“Bradley is a fun-loving type of guy,” says Tracey. “He’s very personable and always ready for a great laugh. He is God-fearing and very cautious about making decisions. He has a great work ethic and has worked hard to get to where he is today.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
12
Mutual Adoration

“We complement each other,” says the bride. “He strengthens me when I am weak, and vice versa.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
13
Walk the Walk

Brad’s groomsman were up for having fun for the cameras. We love this portrait of them working those suits. What a great shot!

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
14
The Color of Love

“I sent out a survey to my bridesmaids beforehand asking what they were looking for in their dresses,” says Tracey. “Taking that info, my sister and I did some web searching.” They wound up falling in love with these stunning color blocked evening gowns from Bari Jay. “I loved the style of the dress!”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
15
Fitted to Perfection

Brad’s groomsman rented chic Vera Wang suits from Men’s Warehouse. “He had the ultimate decision, but I offered my thoughts and they were to have a modern and fitted look — nothing baggy,” says Tracey.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
16
Right Under My Nose

“Over the years, I asked God to reveal my husband to me,” says Tracey. “It wasn’t soon after that I realized God answered my prayers and revealed Brad as the man that would be my husband.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
17
The Best Man He Can Be

“Brad has worked hard to take advantage of opportunities and make the best of them,” says Tracey. “He has used his relationship with his mother and God to disprove the typical statistics for Black men in America — very much like my own father. And, I admire him for that.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
18
Walk This Way

“I’ve always wanted to get married in a church,” says Tracey. “Zion Baptist is my home church, so that was an easy decision. I especially loved that it has a long, center aisle.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
19
It’s Just About Time to See the Bride

The flower girl and groomsman walked down the aisle together as the couple’s 160 guests prepared to stand to greet the happy bride.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
20
Never Felt This Way About Someone

“My daddy walked me down the aisle,” says Tracey, who chose to have a soloist sing “Never Felt This Way” by Brian McKnight as she made her way toward Brad. “I wouldn’t have had it any other way!”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
21
Love Is So Amazing

“When I looked into his eyes, I felt relieved that the day was finally here,” says Tracey. “As we pledged our love to each other before God, it felt amazing.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
22
The Sound of Love

Brad and Tracey chose to hold a traditional Baptist ceremony, but it was still important to the bride that their personalities shined through. “So, being fans of live music, all the music that was played during the ceremony was live,” she says. “We hired three soloists, an acoustic guitar player and a pianist.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
23
You May Now Kiss Your Bride

How sweet are they? We love to see couples who aren’t afraid to go for the big kiss at the altar. It is finally official, after all. Can you feel the love?

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
24
It’s Official!

Say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Williams, everyone! Tracey and Brad also jumped the broom to pay tribute to their ancestors.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
25
Just Can’t Get Enough

Before they even made it out of the church doors, the newlyweds just couldn’t resist stealing another tender kiss.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
26
Together We Stand

Tracey and Brad’s bridal party was filled with close friends from their childhood and college years and dear family members. What a chic bunch!

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
27
Off They Go!

The newlyweds are all smiles as they make a fast getaway to their reception party at VisArts in Rockville, Maryland.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
28
Just Have Faith

“My friends can tell you that I am not a romantic, love-story type of person,” says Tracey. “I believed that God would show up in my life in the romance arena just as He has in all other areas of my life. I knew that what God has for me, is for me. I waited on Him, and yes, He sent me my true love.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
29
You Set the Standard

“Back when I dated, I always compared those that I was dating with the level of friendship that I had with Brad,” says Tracey. “I knew what we had would be a great foundation for a relationship and eventually a marriage.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
30
Can I Have This Dance With You?

To kick things off at their reception party, Brad escorted his new wife Tracey to the dance floor and they rocked to the sweet sounds of Anthony Hamilton’s “The Truth.”

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
31
Sweet Love

Tracey wanted a modern-yet-elegant theme for their reception decor. Check out their chic, custom cake style.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
32
A Helping Hand

Day-of coordinators from The Social LLC were on hand to help Tracey and Brad ensure that every single carefully planned detail went off without a hitch. As you can see, everything went beautifully and as planned.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
33
Sisters Always

Tracey’s Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. sorority sisters were on hand for fun photo opps at the couple’s reception. Click that “like” button if you’re loving this photo as much as we are.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
34
A Song For You

Tracey’s sorors treat her to a sweet and sentimental serenade.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
35
Happily Ever After This Way

The Williams’ honeymooned in Los Cabos, Mexico. Did you enjoy their modern wedding style? Tell us which details were your favorites below and leave Tracey and Brad some comment love. Want to see your wedding featured in Bridal Bliss? Email us now.

Bridal Bliss: Tracey and Bradley
Mad Works Photography
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