Here at ESSENCE, we’re all about celebrating Black women, especially Black women in love. So, when we saw these bridal portraits of bride, Nakyia Davis and her gorgeous bridal party rocking voluminous Afros, we did a double take. Davis, was accompanied by six gorgeous bridesmaids, one of which was popular natural hair blogger, Carissa Stephens of vlogging sister duo, Naturally GG. We caught up with Stephens for the scoop on the epic bridal shoot that has since gone viral.
“The decision for all of us to wear our Afros on the beach was unanimous and ultimately, the bride’s vision for her big day,” Stephens told ESSENCE.com, “I am stunned and honored to have been the Matron of Honor in a wedding that has gone viral.”
The destination wedding took place in the Dominican Republic. The bride and her gorgeous bridesmaids rocked full, voluminous, side-swept Afros accented by white orchid flowers and feather plumes, and the results were magical.
While she and the other bridesmaids each have natural hair and were proud displaying it during such a momentous occasion, Stephens hopes the virility of the bridal portraits will “empower someone to embrace their natural hair and not feel hesitant to do so, no matter the occasion.” She’s confident the images will promote “self-love and confidence [and being] yourself…naturally.”
In remembering the fairytale wedding that happened just one week ago, Stephens told us that her favorite memories were, “being in ‘formation’ on the beach and being treated like celebrities” while in the Dominican Republic.
“We were in awe of how much people were in awe of us just for being ourselves!”
Well, here at ESSENCE, we too are in awe of these gorgeous Black women and their beautiful curls. If these images don’t give you wedding inspo, or make you want to run through the streets shaking your gorgeous curls, we don’t know what will!