On Saturday, August 23, actress Malinda Williams and former rapper and present celebrity deejay Derrick “D-Nice” Jones wed in a quaint ceremony at The Mezzanine in Newark, New Jersey.
As Barbra Streisand’s “Evergreen” played softly, Malinda made her grand entrance, wearing an ivory, strapless, beaded, ruffled-tiered gown by Maggie Sottero, champagne Christian Louboutin satin pumps, and a veil and hair adornment compliments of Lori London, while carrying an eggplant calla lily. The couple’s vintage-mod wedding theme was captured by organic décor of tall branches, ivory hydrangea, floating votive candles, and brown, taupe and ivory river rocks.
As her dad, Frederick A. Williams, III, escorted his baby girl to her hubby-in-waiting, Derrick watched his bride intently, his eyes brimming with tears. “When I saw her I lost it, because she was so beautiful,” said Jones, who was debonair in a Giorgio Armani tuxedo, shirt, and pocket square, a Brioni tie, and Salvatore Ferragamo shoes. “I’m thinking, This is my wife. I’m marrying my best friend.”
Malinda echoed her husband’s sentiments: “All I kept thinking was, I’m almost there,” said the former “Soul Food” series star, beaming now that she can officially be addressed as Mrs. Jones, “just a few more steps and this is it!”
The bridal party of thirteen, including bridesmaids and groomsmen were equally chic. Malinda’s sis Leslie Dunn served as matron of honor, while maid of honor duties went to celebrity fashion stylist Tiffany Hasbourne. The bridesmaids included Terri J. Vaughn, Nicole Ari Parker, Vanessa Williams, Malinda’s sis Lisa Sorensen, and junior bridesmaid Ashli Jones, Derrick’s daughter. All were radiant in taffy, strapless David’s Bridal gowns and chocolate sashes clipped by beautiful broaches. Derrick’s best men, Chris Lighty, founder and CEO of Violator Management, and Keith Forte, along with groomsmen Scotty Morris, Anthony Rahsaan and Ryan Jones were slick in black Ralph Lauren suits, while her son Omi Phifer served as a dapper ring bearer.
During the exchanging of vows, Malinda caused a ripple of laughter among family and friends by proclaiming an emphatic “I absolutely do!”
At the reception, the newlyweds, who have known each other since they were 18, enthusiastically greeted their guests as husband and wife before sharing an intimate first dance to Grover Washington, Jr.’s “Just The Two of Us.” Deejays David Berrie, M.O.S. and Kiss alternated on the wheels of steel, spinning classic R&B and hip-hop while guests danced till midnight.
As the evening came to an end, the couple walked away, hand-in-hand, but not before sharing their promises to each other. “I just want to spend every day showing her how much I love and appreciate her,” said Derrick. “It’s the only thing I plan to do for the rest of our days together.”
“I don’t believe in forever,” said Malinda. “What I do believe in is living it up every day, because tomorrow is not promised to us, so we can only let tomorrow take care of itself and maybe we’ll reach forever. Let’s just get through today and make every day a choice to stay married.”