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Home • Weddings

ESSENCE Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!

Dresses and cakes and kisses, oh my! It's time for the annual Bridal Bliss Awards. We've chosen the most impressive wedding details of 2015. And the winners are...
By Charli Penn · Updated October 27, 2020
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01
And The Winners Are…

Dresses and cakes and kisses, oh my! We’ve chosen the wedding details with the most “wow” this year. See the winners!

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
02
Best Photography

Bliss looks great on Lamar and his lovely bride Kamilah. Their destination wedding photographs were absolutely fantastic! See more here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Dwayne Watkins Photography
03
Best Hair

Lovely bride Dunnie’s bridal updo was absolutely everything. Don’t you agree? See her big day here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Kirill Karetin
04
Fiercest Face

From the smoky eyes to the red lip, lovely bride Renice’s wedding day makeup was flawless. Go girl! See her wedding day with husband Ronte here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Keith Cephus Photography
05
Cutest Bridal Party

This photo shoot was totally worth the intermission. Wouldn’t you agree? See more from Charnetta and Nick’s wedding day here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Munroe Photography
06
Most Moving Moment At The Altar

“Looking into Danaka’s eyes made me feel humbled,” said groom Demetrice. “I was still in shock that anyone would choose to marry me with all of my flaws. She looked past the parts of me that were not perfect and still said yes. When I looked into her eyes, I saw myself and knew I was made better because of her.” We’re still moved by this moment! See their big day here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Creative Silence
07
Best Dressed Couple

Newlyeds Mahko and Carl were dressed to impressed on their big day and we took notice. See their “I dos” here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
TwoTwenty
08
Best Bridal Portrait

When Danielle married Ademola she posed to perfection for the big day. #Yassssssss See more from their wedding day!

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Elle Danielle
09
Most Romantic Ceremony

What bride wouldn’t want to say “I do” to her prince among a bed of candles? We’re still swooning! See Ashley and Melvin’s New Orleans wedding day here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Courtney Dellafiora
10
Sweetest First Look

Caleb and Cymnathia’s “first look” stole our hearts. See their wedding day!

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Ross Oscar Knight
11
Most Romantic First Dance

As newlyweds Ashley and Melvin swayed to the sounds of “You and I (Nobody in the World)” they made first dance magic. See their moment here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Courtney Dellafiora
12
Best Centerpieces

Daedrea and Chris’ reception centerpieces were jaw-droppingly beautiful. To call them “lavish” just feels like an understatement. See their glam wedding day here!

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Elle Danielle
13
Best Entertainment

Best man John Legend introduced newlyweds Hassan and Walkitria then sang live for their first dance song. Wow! See more here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Justine DeMutiis Photography
14
Most Dapper Little Darlings

Introducing dapper groom Carl’s nephews Tino, Spencer and Nyasha. Could they be any cuter? They won! See more from the wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Two Twenty
15
Most Unique Bouquet

For her secret garden theme wedding, bride Joslyn chose this spectacular bouquet. We can’t get enough. See more here!

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Falcon Griffith of Chellise Michael Photography
16
Best Kiss

Khambrel and Erica’s destination wedding bliss was super contagious. We were still nuts about this nuzzle months after featuring their big day. See their wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Cendino Temé Photography
17
Best Gown

Darilyn’s unique wedding gown was stunning from all angles and a true show stopper. See more of Darilyn and Terrance’s wedding day here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Kristin La Voie Photography
18
Chicest Shoes

To find out which bride dazzled in these gorgeous heels on her big day, click here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Kirill Karetin
19
Best Moment Caught On Camera

A couple that dances together, stays together. Christiana and Obi’s first dance looks like it was one to be remembered. We love, love, love it! See their wedding day here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Christin Shoots People
20
Sweetest Love Story

Shakira and Daryl met in high school while on a college tour, made their love last through their college years and married right after graduation. This is young love at its finest. See their wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
21
Best Dressed Bridesmaids

Christiana nailed the dress picks for her lovely ladies. From the cut to the color, the look was perfection. See her wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Christin Shoots People
22
Best #SquadGoals

Okay, ladies! You won. See more from this wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Keith Cephus Photography
23
Groom Moment Of The Year

A father-daughter dance to remember. H danced with his daughter after dancing with her mom on his big day. We can’t stop staring at this precious photo. See more here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Tomayia Colvin Photography
24
Most Romantic Bouquet

Danaka’s lush bouquet kept us talking this year. Kudos to her florist’s magical eye. See more of her wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Creative Silence
25
Best Dress Swap

Renice and Ronte’s first dance was magical, and so was her dress swap. It was reception gown perfection. See more here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Keith Cephus Photography
26
Most Diva Bridal Party Moment

Angel and her girls sure knew their poses. We see those shoes, ladies! Go team! See Angel and Nate’s wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Cendino Temé Photography
27
Best Party Moment

Now this is how you party at your wedding! See more from Jessica and Chris’ wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
The Studio B Photography
28
Best Beach Wedding

Anika and Daryl‘s Florida wedding style blew us away. See their wedding day.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Cendino Temé Photography
29
Most Adorable Little Ladies

Shaun and Thysha’s nieces served as their bridal party and they were just the cutest! See their wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
From Parris With Love
30
Best Matching Smiles

Hollis and Roderick could not stop smiling on their wedding day and their matching glow kept us grinning too. See their wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Sobitart Photography
31
Best Accessories

Brandi’s jewelry complemented her bridal look beautifully. We’re in love with those earrings! See her wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Ross Oscar Knight
32
Best Ceremony Exit

Proud groom Robert was so thrilled with his new marital status he practically two-stepped down the aisle and right into our hearts. See Brandi and Robert’s wedding day here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Ross Oscar Knight
33
Most Unique Gown

“Thysha is a fun Black woman who is confident, honest and aspires to be better,” says her new husband Shaun. Her bold and beautiful gown choice makes even more sense now. See their wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
From Parris With Love
34
Best Dressed Groomsmen

The blue suits for groom Lincoln and his guys were instant hits in our book. See their wedding day.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
The Amber Studio
35
Best Ball Gown

Tamika’s one-of-a-kind black and white wedding ball gown was unforgettable. Two thumbs up! See her wedding here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Justin Ifill-Forbes Photography
36
Best Color Combo

Baranda and Lincoln chose this bold and lovely color combo for their intimate at-home wedding day. See more photos here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
The Amber Studio
37
Coolest Guest Book

Guestbook perfection! Kudos to Joslyn and Shannon for this vintage idea we love. See more of their unique NYC big day here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Falcon Griffith of Chellise Michael Photography
38
Sweetest Sweets Table

The treats spread at Dunnie and Ibrahim’s lavish wedding were Just divine! See more of their grand affair here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
39
Best Groom Cake

Bride Ashley chose a grand groom’s cake for a true sports fan, her husband Melvin. Well, done! See their wedding day here.

Bridal Bliss Awards: These Weddings Packed the Most Wow This Year!
Courtney Dellafiora