Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marriage. Show all posts

Thursday, April 12, 2012

10 years & counting! Chris & Brittani Allen :: Vow Renewal

TBB friends, Chris and Brittani Allen, are preparing to say "I do" all over again...10 years later!  This wonderful couple is anxious to renew their vows in a beautiful vow renewal ceremony in November 2013!  The Allen's are parents to their two beautiful children, Jaden and Aliya.  TBB introduces you to The Allen's by highlighting the story of how they met below.  As the vow renewal approches, you will learn more about this awesome couple and their experience as "10-year newlyweds!"

How Brittani and Chris met:

Brittani's version:  I met Chris on a Bible Study Wednesday on the church bus. Initially, I was introduced by my friend Christin, I didn’t pay much attention to this handsome and tall guy, but instead, focused on preparing for church. After receiving a powerful word, I felt compelled to give an offering and as I stood up to walk to the pulpit, Chris said he would come along. While on the way back to our seats, I noticed he was being quite chatty and friendly. I immediately grew nervous thinking this might be trouble. Two days following this initial meeting, my friend (who I thought might have had interest in Chris) knocked on my door and gave me a piece of paper with a name and number on it. Needless to say, it was his. And the rest is history.

Chris' version:    I was getting on the bus to head to Bible Study and spotted Brittani sitting next to a friend of mine and said to myself, “She is fine!” I asked my friend who was that girl. She told me that Brittani was her next door neighbor in her dorm at Spelman. Since a friend of hers is a friend of mine, I went to sit by her and talked to her on the way to church. Towards the end of service, I went with Brittani to give an offering and to have another chance to speak with her. I knew there was something special about her, so I gave my number to Christin and asked her to pass it along to her pretty friend for me.


The Vow Renewal:

Brittani:  Since we did not have a traditional wedding ceremony, I have always said we will have one to mark our 10 year wedding anniversary. We will host this event at the Emory Conference Center Hotel on November 2, 2013. We are planning a small and intimate celebration with our closest friend’s and family that have supported us from the beginning.



The Blessed Brides wishes the very best to Chris and Brittani as they prepare for their special day!  It's going to be beautiful!

Sunday, September 11, 2011

"God's Grace" - Angela & Patrick's Wedding Day - 7.9.11

Our wedding day was like none other.  What started off as a beautiful morning turned into an afternoon of clouds, showers and lightening...but a perfect day and union was the birth of this storm.

The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort was the selected venue for our ceremony and reception.  The ceremony was scheduled to be held outside on the gorgeous river lawn overlooking the Savannah River.  The reception was held in the Grand Ballroom of the resort.  Once the sky opened up, my parents and I made the call to move the ceremony into a portion of the ballroom.  We couldn't have made a better decision.  The intimacy of the new space created such an atmosphere of love and support from our family and friends. 



Ceremony details

Patrick and I wanted a family and friend inclusive ceremony.  In addition to each of our closest family members and friends gracing our wedding party, we were elated to have our pastor, Pastor Tony Brock, officiate the service.  My mother and father, Eddie and Linda Byrd, are also ministers and graced us with a special wedding prayer.  My friend, Rebekah Lovell and her husband, John provided words of scripture related to marriage and love.

Below are some photographs from our day of wedding bliss!!  Enjoy! 
The bridal jewelry - gifts from her mother, Linda.
The couple's rings modeled on a white, coral sculpture
All prepped and ready for the ceremony!  Matching lounge dresses provided by me.  Each bridesmaids' dress had her initial embroidered on a button that was pinned to the dress!


My gown -- an oyster-pearl colored, silk satin, strapless trumpet-cut gown with lace and sequin detail on the bodice, the edge of the trumpet-cut bottom, and along the extended train. A sil-satin waist band adorned with crystal accents.  A cathedral-length veil with lace detail accompanied her gown.

Finishing touches put in place by my sister and matron of honor, Melinda! 

Opening my wedding day gift from Patrick -- a diamond necklace, bracelet, and earring set!

Patrick opening his wedding day gift from me -- an Armani Exhange timepiece!

Groomsmen, ushers, and broom bearer on the green!

Beautiful bridesmaids on another green! :-)
The handsome groom wore a white dinner jacket with black tuxedo pants and an ivory boutonniere with bear grass loops accenting his pocket square
 
 
 
Bridal portrait

My walk with Dad

So happy!  It's finally happening!! :-)

And we're married!  Sealed with a kiss!

About to "jump the broom!"  *broom created by me!* :-)

He's my Mr. and I'm his Mrs.!!

Reception centerpiece
Signature monogram on reception dinner menu *created by me, the bride!*
Reception centerpiece

For “something blue,” the bride’s mother shared her diamond and sapphire ring.
Our first dance / wedding party ensemble (and my wardrobe change!)
Gown #2!  Adorned on the bodice with Swarovski crystals!  Shoes - Benjamin Adam of London (thanks Mommy!)  Feather and crytal hair accessory
Departing our farewell line for our honeymoon suite!

The bride’s five-tiered wedding cake was accented with pearls and ivory and frosted with butter cream frosting with dark champagne colored swirled designs. 
 
 
The groom’s cake was a white butter cream frosted chocolate cake in the shape of a diamond with the groom’s fraternity insignia on top.


 
Reception details

More than 200 guests were seated in the Grand Ballroom, which was illuminated with golden uplighting and grand chandeliers throughout the ballroom. The tables were decorated with ivory damask linens, silver china and a signature monogrammed dinner menu featuring the couple’s monogram.
Floral arrangements throughout the ballroom featured clear trumpet and bowl vases filled with white gladioli, dark champagne roses, pink roses, ivory roses and white hydrangea.

Acknowledgements

Patrick and I would like to thank our family and friends for making our wedding weekend the happiest moment a bride and groom could have!  We love each of you and wish God's continued grace and mercy upon your lives. 

Special thanks to our wonderful vendors:

The Blessed Bride's Owner / Operator - Angela B. Reed (planning & coordination) - www.theblessedbride.blogspot.com / Twitter - @theblessedbride
The Blessed Bride's Linda E. Byrd - mother of the bride (planning & coordination)
Westin Savannah Harbor Resort - Robyn Carroll (catering coordinator)
Fotos by Fola - Afolabi "Fola" Sogunro - www.fotosbyfola.com (photography)
First City Events - Bonnie Karr (day-of coordination)
Savannah Riverboat Cruises - Karla Becknell (rehearsal dinner)
Christy's Cakes - (wedding cakes)
Harvey Designs - Amy Harvey (floral)
James Hammond - Ikon Filmworks (videography)
Faces by Rhonda - Rhonda Peterson (makeup artistry)
Melissa Badie - "Melissa's" (hair stylist for bride and wedding party members)
Emmanuel Matthews (barber for the groom and wedding party members)

For more highlights, photographs and information regarding our wedding weekend, please visit the following:

Angela & Patrick's website:  www.angelaandpatrick.com


Music Slideshows (created by "Fola" Sogunro): (Wedding Day) http://fotosbyfola.com/reed/

Thursday, July 21, 2011

"The Byrd-Reed Riverboat Rendezvous & Rehearsal Dinner" :: Savannah, Georgia

Sailing on the Sea of Love

On Friday, July 8, 2011, our wedding party and guests gathered in the beautiful city of Savannah, Georgia to celebrate with us for our wedding weekend festivities.  Lighting the torch to the weekend's festivities, Patrick's parents, Larry and Patti Reed, hosted the "Byrd-Reed Riverboat Rendezvous and Rehearsal Dinner" aboard the wonderful Savannah River Queen.

Prior to our voyage across the Savannah River to board the River Queen, we held our wedding ceremony rehearsal on the river lawn of the gorgeous Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort.  Our stunning wedding party were radiant in their white attire (white attire theme selected by the bride and groom.)

Upon the completion of our rehearsal, we boarded the river ferry and proceeded across the Savannah River to historic River Street, where the wedding party met the additional wedding guests that were joining us aboard the riverboat.

The rehearsal dinner was fantastic!  The staff aboard the Savannah River Queen were nothing shy of excellent.  Throughout the evening, we talked, laughed, cried, and of course, danced the night away!  It was such a treat to share our rehearsal dinner with our wedding guests aboard such a unique part of Savannah history!


The river lawn of the Westin Savannah Resort (original ceremony location)

Preparing the take the walk...

Pastor Brock, Patrick, and the groomsmen *TBB favorite*

The beautiful bridesmaids and adorable flower girls!

My groom with our coordinator, Bonnie.  I was so blessed having his input & insight throughout our wedding planning process! *TBB favorite*

My future mother-in-law, Mrs. Patti Reed

Patrick and his mother, Patti

And the laughter begins...! *TBB favorite*

My gorgeous groom! *TBB favorite*


The flower girls taking their walk *TBB favorite*

The Juliette Gordon Low river ferry (extra special because I'm a former girl scout!)

The ecstatic couple!

*TBB favorite*


Enjoying the ferry ride with family and friends

The Westin Savannah Harbor Resort

With the Savannah River Queen

Lover's embrace on historic River Street *TBB favorite*

*TBB favorite*

*TBB favorite*

Aboard the Savannah River Queen with the Talmadge Bride in the background



Super cute rehearsal dinner favors!  The classic "message in a bottle!" *TBB favorite*

Rehearsal dinner program


For more photographs and to view our rehearsal dinner slide show, please visit:

Photographers Blog: http://www.fotosbyfola.com/blog/2011/07/angela-patrick-part-1-savannah-atlanta-wedding-photographer/

Music Slideshow
http://www.fotosbyfola.com/reedrehearsal/

Photography courtesy of Afolabi Sogunro of Fotos by Fola :: http://www.fotosbyfola.com/