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Home · Weddings

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are...

It's that time of year again where we salute our favorite Black wedding moments. Sit back, relax and feel the love!
By Charli Penn · Updated October 26, 2020
01
Major Feels Alert!
Get ready to swoon as we roll out this year’s award-winning Black wedding moments. Hurry, there’s still time to grab your tissues!
And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
02
Most Beautiful Wedding Portrait

“I didn’t believe in true love until I met Natasha, I didn’t think I could find something that I did not believe existed,” said Daniel. See their wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Mou Mukherjee
03
Best Bridal Joy

Lovely bride Adwoa was the happiest Black girl ever on her special day, and we loved every second of it. See her wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Loyall Hart for Knight Weddings
04
Best Destination Wedding

Jordan and Essie tied the knot in Greece’s beautiful Santorini and stole our hearts.See their wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Vangelis Beltzenitis
05
Most Romantic Venue

Mobolaji and Olufunmi’s castle venue was absolutely everything. Case closed. See more from their wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
06
Best Bridal Makeup

“Twanna’s love and support is endless, and it only makes me love her more,” says proud groom James of his lovely bride. “She’s beautiful both inside and out. I’m a lucky guy.” Her fab hair and makeup were done by the team at Luxe Bar. See their wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Joshua Dwain
07
Best Groom Cry

When Brian Saw Elesia coming his way, he was overcome with joy. We’re still swooning over this moment! See more of their wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
AmyO Photography
08
Best Dress

Lovely bride Rashan’s fierce wedding gown was a real scene stealer! See her romantic wedding day here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Stanlo Photography
09
Best Cake Style

Twanna and James’ guests couldn’t stop talking about their suspended wedding cake. It was designed by Adam Leffel Productions, to complement their yummy cake from Palermo Bakery. So chic! So lovely! See more of their big day here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Joshua Dwain
10
Best Beach Wedding Moment

Anicka got sick and wasn’t feeling like herself but that didn’t stop Lorenzo from loving her and for that she knew he was the one for her. “He was supportive and loved me just the way I was…flaws and all,” the bride said. “He was a man of action, not just words.” See their Florida wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Cendino Teme Photography
11
Sweetest Kiss

Mekaela and Deven first met at a college step show but the sparks between them really began to fly when they started exchanging daily tweets. See their gorgeous wedding day here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Clivabeth Photography
12
Best Veil

Rashidah’s smile was absolutely contagious on her big day and her veil was everything. See fab photos from the day she married husband Drew here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Joshua Dwain Photography
13
Best Squad Slay

Lauren’s bridesmaids wore beautiful white gowns chosen to hide their flaws and make them feel amazing! Mission accomplished. See Lauren and Elo’s glam wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Joshua Dwain Photography
14
Most Viral Moment

This photo captured the Internet’s heart. See their romantic wedding day here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
15
Best Dressed Couple

“I chose to make her my wife because it’s what I felt in my heart,” said Amir of Vanessa. “What helped me decide was the realization of how much she really cared for me as a person and how much she truly loves me. Throughout the years of knowing each other, she has always been there for me. Why wouldn’t I make her my wife?” See Amir and Vanessa’s wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Andreme Photography
16
Most Romantic First Dance

Who can forget the way Daniel dipped Natasha to “So Amazing” by Luther Vandross. “This song perfect describes our love for each other,” recalled the bride. “I really think we both are amazed this has happened and we are so in love with each other. It is truly a blessing.”

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Mou Mukherjee
17
Best Military Wedding

Madison and Carlin’s modern military wedding was absolutely magical. See it here!

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
District Photography
18
Most Stunning Train

When Krystal married Kenny, she came to slay! See more photos here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
MIlanes Photography
19
Best Dressed Groom

“I trusted that God would give me the woman of my dreams,” said the groom. “He blew my mind and gave me more than I could ever imagine.” See more of Mobolaji and Olufunmi’s wedding day here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Jide Alakija
20
Most Unique Wedding Dress

Erica rocked a custm bridal gown by Michael Costello on her big day and blew everyone away. “I knew I wanted a custom glamorous dress. The gowns he has designed for Beyonce, Ciara, JLo, and the Kardashians inspired me to atleast send an email to his sales team. It was a YOLO moment!,” she shared. See more from her big day here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Adam Opris Photography
21
Best Broom Jump

Because Elesia and Brian’s jump was everything! See more here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Amy O
22
Cutest Couple

“I knew Sheldon was the one when I realized he was who I wanted to share every victory with and vent about every defeat to. The ease and peace that was in my heart toward him and the willingness to share who I was without judgement was met with genuine love, support and concern.” See their wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Quintessence Photography
23
Best Cultural Attire

On the day David proposed, Tiera felt like she was in a fairytale and on her wedding day, her joy was just the same. “Knowing that I was marrying my best friend was a feeling that I’ve been waiting for!” See more of their wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
24
Sweetest Story

When high school sweethearts elope in Paris, you swoon! See more here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Andreme Photography
25
Cutest Something Blue

Kristen something blue was something adorable. See the wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Studio B Photography
26
Most Lit Groom

David held nothing back on the dance floor for his bride. 

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
27
Best Groomsmen Moment

Justin and his groomsmen wore superhero t-shirts under their wedding day attire which Aisha didn’t know of until the reception.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Jessica Nazarova
28
Best Family Moment

“I wanted the room empty (except for my mom and sister) when my dad saw me for the first time,” recalled the bride. “After he came in, we had a family prayer which is something we always do.” See more from Michael and Hollani’s wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Santy Martinez
29
Best Bridal Tribute

To do something special for her groom, Patricia enlisted the help of her bridesmaids to do a surprise dance! “3 Weeks prior to the wedding day, me and one of my bridesmaids came up with a routine to a few of Beyonce’s love songs. We recorded ourselves doing the dance and sent it off to the other girls. I had to make the dance last minute and it was a surprise but also extremely fun!” she said. Want to see the whole thing? Check out our Black wedding moment of the day that featured the bride’s unique tribute to the man who stole her heart. 

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Charlton Inije
30
Coolest Venue

Between the couple’s love story and this spectacular venue, we can’t decide which we love more! See Dionne and Maurice’s museum wedding here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Fotos by Fola
31
Most Romantic Kiss

Oh. My. Wow! See more here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
32
Best Daddy-Daughter Moment

Desron gives his baby girl, Laila, a sweet kiss on the cheek. Cute overload! See more of Christine and Desron’s wedding here!

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Momon Photo
33
Cutest Custom Details

“Our cake topper was also bobble head remakes of Brian and I!,” shared Elesia. “It is by far one of my favorite features of the wedding. It really does look like Brian and it represents our Dallas Cowboy and Washington Redskins rivalry. Plus, it includes our dog that is like our baby, Jackson.” See the rest of their wedding day here.

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Amy O
34
Cutest Flower Girls

“I have always loved Princess Diana’s wedding and her many flower girls that were in it,” Lauren added about her decision to have 4 flower girls. “So I always knew that I wanted multiple flower girls and I wanted all of us to feel like Princesses for a day.”

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Joshua Dwain Photography
35
Best Groom’s Cake

Kristen had a custom groom’s cake prepared for Geno on their special day. It was dedicated to his NFL roots as a member of the Cincinatti Bengals. 

And the ESSENCE 2016 Bridal Bliss Awards Winners Are…
Studio B Photography
TOPICS:  Bridal Bliss
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