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Home · Weddings

ESSENCE's 2013 Bridal Bliss Awards

We're celebrating Black love with a tribute to the most spectacular wedding moments of the year. We rounded up the sweetest kisses, most romantic gowns and stunning details ever. See which weddings made our list and tell us which votes you second!

By Charli Penn · December 4, 2013October 27, 2020
01
Fiercest Dress

Baltimore bride Dawn found true love at 40 when she met Reginald on Match.com. She chose a fierce backless gown for her big day and we’re still drooling over all of its unique details. Um, and would you look at that birdcage veil? This bride had true aisle style!

Scrole Vision Photography
02
Best Kiss

“I felt a deep connection to Kurtis the first time we met,” ESSENCE Storybook Wedding finalist Jennifer reflects. “My heart told me that Kurtis was the one and I could totally be myself.” See their wedding here.

Sobitart Photography
03
Dreamiest Wedding Venue

After years of secretly crushing on Rita, Ephraim finally convinced her to return his calls. She might have played hard to get, but when she got to know him, falling in love was easier than ever before. Their Texas estate wedding at Chateau Cocomar was as elegant as they come!

RH Photo Arts
04
Best Hairstyle

Budget-savvy bride Krystal’s cascading curls were bridal hair perfection! See more from her wedding day here.

Carlyn Photography
05
Most Beautiful Bouquet

Candace and Thomas were married this summer in San Diego, California. Her lush bouquet was filled with lovely orange roses, circus roses, mango calla lilies, pin protea and green cymbidium orchids wrapped in orange ribbon. Isn’t it a beauty?

Captured by Aimee
06
Fiercest Shoes

Modern bride Tai chose a pop of color for her feet with these dazzling heels from Boutique9. We’re in love! See her wedding day here.

ArtPhotoSoul Photography
07
Most Chic Bridesmaids

Krystal’s bridesmaids wore short, sassy liitle black dresses from Alfred Angelo that we just adore. See more of Krystal and Jerome’s modern wedding style here.

08
Best Silly Group Portrait

Somebody grab a frame for this shot of Vanessa and Hakim and their bridal party. It’s just perfect! How can you not smile when you see it? Oh, happy day!

Paul Francis Photography
09
Most Romantic First Dance

For their first official dance as husband and wife, Memi and Dapo glided across the dance floor to the sweet sounds of Corrine Bailey Rae’s rendition of “Is This Love,” and from the looks of it, it sure is!

KBobb Photography
10
Best Cake Style

Stylish bride Remy asked her cake baker to use inspiration from her favorite bloom, the anemone, to create an elegant wedding cake, and the result was a dessert masterpiece. See more of her fab wedding details here!

Enmuse Photography
11
Sweetest Vow Exchange

Although Jonathan jokingly told Denise beforehand not to “ugly cry” for the pictures, when it came time for them to exchange their vows, he was the one overcome by the magic of the moment. “Our vows really came from the heart,” she said. Swoon!

Elton Anderson
12
Best Photo

After making an explosive exit, Kristen and Jermaine set off on a romantic honeymoon getaway to the Dominican Republic. This photo was truly unforgettable!

Project Duo Photography
13
Most Stunning Backdrop

“Carl makes me strong in areas where I am weak,” says his new wife, natural hair blogger Nikisha. The couple tied the knot before an intimate group of close friends and family members on the beautiful beaches of Big Sur, California. “We can talk every day for hours and never run out of things to talk about it,” she told us. Click the “like” button if this picture also took your breath away!

Rad + In Love
14
Sweetest Getting Ready Moment

When New Jersey bride Vanessa married Hakim in a lavish fairytale ceremony in the spring, she had custom robes made for her bridal party. It was a sweet gesture that allowed for classic photo opps like this one, that we just adore.

Paul Francis Photography
15
Best Surprise Moment

When Chareta and her husband Wade renewed their vows in a lavish Dallas ceremony, she chose to walk down the aisle with her dad to “Never Felt This Way” by Brian McKnight. Wade surprised his bride by having Brian McKnight there to serenade her on the grand piano as she entered the room and walked down the aisle. “It was amazing!” she told us, and we couldn’t agree more. Excuse us, we need tissues!

Perez Photography
16
Best Accessory

Beautiful bride Kelli met her husband Anthony when her friends set her up on an unexpected blind date. The modern bride still wanted an elegant, timeless look for her wedding day, so she chose this gorgeous cover up and we swooned the minute we saw her in it.

Richard Ellis Photography
17
Most Unique Bouquet Style

Bride Brittany carried a gorgeous bouquet of phalaenopsis orchids with a custom handle embellished with an antique brooch. Fierce! See more from her wedding day here.

elle Danielle Photography
18
Most Stunning Ball Gown

Wale says he knew there was something special about his bride Bisi the moment he laid eyes on her. It’s funny, that’s how we felt about her beautiful ball gown. Isn’t it a stunner?

Milanés Photography
19
Best Collaboration

“We wanted everyone to feel the love and solemnity of the ceremony and our union,” says beaming bride Denise who was welcomed down the aisle by these two darling flower girs.

Elton Anderson
20
Sweetest Wedding March

“My son, who was eleven at the time, walked me down the aisle,” bride Cori told us. She was a young widow until she met her new husband Anthony.  “It was the right thing to do. Ultimately, my kids had to give me permission to marry again and this was a great symbol of that agreement.”

Creative Silence Photography
21
Cutest Bridesmaids Gifts

On Jasmine and Jonathan’s wedding day, she gifted her bridesmaids with pretty floral bridal party robes. We just loved this dainty and feminine style and it sure made for a fun memory they’re all sure to cherish for many years to come.

ArtPhotoSoul Photographers
22
Best Train

Gorgeous bride Ashley chose well when it came to her wedding gown hunt. Her Vera Wang trumpet gown was stunning from all angles. See Ashley and Ricky’s wedding day here.

Erik Umphery Photography
23
Sweetest Story

College sweethearts Anaya and Darren got married young and in a hurry. Convinced that his wife deserved the wedding of her dreams, Darren proposed again on their fifth anniversary, and this time around, they tied the knot in a romantic ceremony at a private resort in Antigua so her dream wedding could be realized. (Now, that’s how you do it fellas!)

Keith Cephus Photography
24
Most Unique Bridal Style

Sadiqa’s stunning custom gown and wedding bouquet made with native island flowers complemented her personal style perfectly and we enjoyed every second of it. See Sadiqa and Ibram’s island wedding here.

Signature Weddings
25
Most Romantic Ceremony Style

When Bisi and Wale tied the knot at the King Plow Art Gallery in Atlanta and their romantic ceremony style took our breath away. From the candle-lined aisle to the mood lighting, it was an evening to be remembered.

Milanés Photography
26
Best Entertainment

Guess who made the guest list at Vanessa and Hakim’s wedding? Grammy-award winning artist Lauryn Hill, who surprised the couple (and their guests!) with a rare impromptu performance.

Paul Francis Photography
27
Best Use of a Sign

On Jasmine and Jonathan’s wedding day they found unique ways to blend their families for the day’s festivities. How cute is this ceremony seating sign? You couldn’t stop talking about when we originally posted it, and the truth is, we couldn’t either. Share their love!

ArtPhotoSoul Photographers
28
Sweetest Gaze

When Denise looks at her new husband Jonathan, we can really see the love between them burning strong. A photo this touching deserves a category all its own. The happy couple were married in Rochester, Michigan.

Elton Anderson
29
Most Romantic Reception Style

Kelli and Anthony’s tented, evening reception was oh-so-romantic. Lights were strung throughout the tent and the yard to make the reception space super dreamy and it sure won over our hearts.

Richard Ellis Photography
30
Best Tender Moment Caught On Camera

Kristen, a project manager, married federal lobbyist Erik in Atlanta and the photographer captured this intimate and sweet moment on camera. “Erik is protective, comforting and gentle at the right times,” said Kristen. “I love his strong sense of self and consciousness, and I love our dynamic together. We can go from talking about serious issues to joking about something silly to reminiscing about an old school hip hop song—all  in the same conversation.” We’re melting!

Milanés Photography
31
Best Aisle Style

“We knew we wanted to have our vow renewal in Dallas because that is where Wade is originally from,” Chareta explains of her vow renewal ceremony with her husband, NFL player Wade. “Our first wedding was small and simple, in a small church in Lauderhill, Florida, on a Tuesday afternoon (NFL off-day). This time around, we wanted a venue and event that represented our love for each other and our growth over the last 10 years.” Success!

Perez Photography
32
Best Beach Shot

Koby lends his new bride Mary Jane his shoulder as they bask in the beauty and joy of their wedding day on the shores of Los Angeles.

33
Most Emotional Moment

When Gavin saw his bride Tai for the very first time he was overcome with emotion, and so were we. “I love having my best friend around me all the time,” he says. “I love that I finally know what love really is.” See their “I dos” here.

ArtPhotoSoul Photography
34
Best Group Shot

When India and Jerej tied the knot in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, they were blessed to have 45 cherished guests on hand to celebrate with them, and they were all down for one awesome group photo.

Huellas del Caribe Photography
35
Best Exit

Jai and Rebecca’s big day was filled with love and their big exit complete with tons of sparklers, glam poses and smiles. Kudos to their photographer for capturing this incredible shot.

Scrole Vision Photography
36
Best Broom Jump

Newlyweds Kristen and Jermaine shared a synchronized jump over the broom after they were officially declared husband and wife. Too cute!

Project Duo Photography
37
Best Veil

“Leo treats me like a queen every day,” admits bride Kia, whose draping veil was romantic, elegant and utterly unforgettable. (Oh, and you’ve got to see her shoes!) See their wedding style here.

Miller + Miller
38
Best Bridesmaid Bouquets

“Our florist did an amazing job,” Atlanta bride Shannon recalls when speaking about the floral creations from Le Jardin Francais. The lovely apricot, ivory and grey color palette made each arrangement just that much more romantic, and those Peacock blue Dessy gowns really made the bridesmaids’ bouquets pop. See Ian and Shannon’s romantic wedding here.

Erik Umphery Photography
39
Sweetest Mother-Daughter Moment

This tender mother-daughter moment between bride Krystal and her mom was so touching we had to revisit the love once again. See the couple’s wedding day here.

Carlyn Photography
40
Most Dazzling Smile

Although Xenia’s florist gave her different flowers than she paid for, the happy bride made the best of a bad situation and posed with the pretty blooms just the same, and her wedding day glow instantly won us over. See her shared wedding bliss with new hubby Sheldon here.

Photo225
41
Most Glamorous Reception

Three hundred and fifty guests attended Nicole and Matt’s lavish wedding celebration and when they walked into this glitz and glam infused reception space, we’re certain their jaws dropped. We’re still gasping over the beauty. See Nicole and Matt’s wedding day here.

Dante Williams Photography
42
Best Sisterhood Moment

A mutual running buddy set up long-distance runners Keshawn and J.R. on a blind date. They hit it off tremendously and the race to the altar was on! At her reception, Keshawn couldn’t help but cry tears of joy when her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority sisters paid tribute to her with a sweet serenade. The truth is, we got a little misty eyed too!

Melissa Prosser Photography
43
Grooviest Groom’s Cake

When New Orleans bride Xenia wanted to surprise groom Sheldon with a fun groom’s cake she styled it to look like an iPhone with Beats by Dre headphones attached. “On the screen was a Jay Z song from his Reasonable Doubt album,” Xenia explains “The bakery (Haydel’s Bakery) scanned the image to make it look like he was actually listening to the song and had the actual artwork from the album on it. They did an amazing job!” We agree!

Photo225
44
Sweetest Father Daughter Moment

When Atlanta bride Dafina walked down the aisle to the sounds of a piano instrumental of Bob Dylan’s “Make You Feel My Love,” both her father and her stepfather escorted her and we thought that was twice as nice. See Dagine and Ryan’s wedding day here.

Erik Umphery Photography
45
Cutest Kicks

After their ceremony, Cassandra and Marlon, who met on BlackPeopleMeet.com, got a little more comfortable as they posed for romantic rooftop portraits before the reception party began. We loved their laid back style and her super unqiue “something blue.”

Inije Photography
46
Best Dance Party Moment

At ESSENCE Storybook Wedding winners Kyla and Aaron’s wedding the dance floor was packed as guests enjoyed sweet treats and cocktails courtesy of Voli Vodka. Doesn’t this picture make you wish you were there? Yeah, us too! See the rest of their fairytale wedding here.

Derek Blanks
47
Sweetest “Sweetheart” Table

Since love was the theme of their day, newlyweds Rita and Ephraim had the clever idea to have a L-O-V-E sweetheart table made of glass and decorated in gold accents. How unique? We loved it!

RH Photo Arts
48
Best Party

At Lauren and James’ wedding reception, the dance floor was never empty and their guests partied all night long. See their wedding style here.

Joshua Dwain Photography

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