Paradise Banquet Hall Wedding Photos | Derek and Tessa
These two had a regal wedding with some intentional African traditions added into the day. Tessa and Derek were the King and Queen for a day at their wedding. I’m such a huge fan of college sweethearts but these two have an even more inspiring story because they reconnected after a short time dating in college. Like most couples, after graduation, career paths can take people in different directions, but for these two, it only took a few years to reconnect them and bring them together. Tessa went to law school and Derek pursued his passion for teach African history and they found their way back to each other. Getting married was the next step for them to seal their love for one another.
Keep reading to hear their love story told by them! And be sure to scroll down to the bottom for links to all the wonderful creative team who made the day possible.
Tell us how you met and all about the proposal!
From the Groom: We met at Oakwood University a HBCU in Huntsville Alabama. Tessa is from Canada and I’m from DC but we were both sent there by our parents. I first saw Tessa at a Friday night worship service at Oakwood University. I was sitting there minding my business and then I saw her walk right down the middle of the aisle.
It was as if everything stopped; I had tunnel vision. Nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I was paralyzed by her beauty and everything else blurred, just like in the movies. Her presence impacted me greatly.
In a weird way I felt like I knew her history and culture just by the way she walked. It was very familiar to me. I decided that whenever I saw her again I had to speak to her. So like most Oakwood students, I attended the Saturday night basketball game and when I saw Tessa there, I approached her.
We dated for a short time and then it was time for graduation. We stayed in contact over the years while Tessa was going on to practice civil rights law and I was developing my love for teaching African History.
When we reconnected years later in person, the magic was still there. We dated for 9 months before I proposed outside of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture. Of course, Tessa said Yes!
What was wedding shopping like for you?
It took a while for me to find a dress. I knew the style I wanted and knew I would know it when I saw it. One day I happened to stumble across Camelia wedding gown boutique online and the 2nd dress I tried on was the one! My wedding dress was a jewel crusted mermaid style with a long train and gold lace trim by Sophia Tolli. It fit perfectly with our wedding style which was modern with a splash of African Royalty.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
We incorporated several African themed traditions into the wedding:
1. Tasting of the 4 elements. The West African Yoruba recognize that marriage does not promise a state of euphoria or peace on a daily basis, as every married couple knows. In their tradition, couples participate in a tasting of the four elements of life: bitter, sweet, sour, and not – as well as water to cleanse the palate, as a way of demonstrating the fullness of experience that each married couple will meet with over time. We tasted cayenne pepper which symbolizes hot passion, lemon which symbolizes sour disappointments of marriage, vinegar which symbolizes bitterness and honey which symbolizes the happiness and bliss associated with marriage. We then said our vows with the knowledge that together we can stand strong before whatever comes our way.
2. We had Yoruba busts of ourselves in traditional Yoruba headwear.
3. A ceremonial dance was performed by Ngoma Ensemble, a child dance group in Toronto.
What is your best memory from your wedding?
Our best memories from the wedding were the vows we exchanged and the tasting ceremony.
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
Make sure that the wedding reflects you. Don’t get too busy to have quiet time together and dream up what is most important to you. We decided on the tasting ceremony during a 2 hour phone conversation during the busy week before the wedding. Though there was a lot going on around we made time to reflect on what we felt was one missing element. It is now our most treasured memory and a big hit and a favorite with the guests.
Bridesmaids gifts: The bridesmaids received robes.
Gifts to one another: The groom received a Boudoir Photo Shoot book and Tessa received her Mother’s vintage watch.
Favorite item on the menu: Dessert was our favorite part of the menu. We especially loved the freshly made funnel cake fries.
First dance song: “Luv” by Tory Lanez
Featured on Munaluchi Bride Magazine here.
Photography: Samantha Clarke Photography // Wedding Dress Designer: Sophia Tolli// Wedding Dress Salon: Camelia Wedding Gown // Hair: Simone Finch // Bride’s Makeup: Neo’s Beauty
Bridesmaids’ Makeup: Trop Belle Makeup // Shoes: David’s Bridal // Ceremony and Reception Location: Paradise Banquet Hall // Wedding Planner: Most Unique Events // Day of Coordinator: Akisha Andrews
