September 12, 2015 // The Hotel at Arundel Preserve // Vanessa Smith Photography
The Couple
Khalia and Wilson’s story begins in high school. Wilson was dared by his buddies to send Khalia a message on Facebook asking for her phone number. After a simple conversation on Facebook, Khalia eventually gave Wilson her number, not because she was interested, but only to be nice. From the start, Wilson was very interested in Khalia. However, Khalia’s feelings were not quite the same. Playing hard to get, Khalia wasn’t interested and didn’t really see the relationship going anywhere. However, Wilson remained persistent and as time went on, their budding friendship turned them into high school sweethearts.
The Proposal
During Khalia and Wilson’s four year anniversary dinner, surrounded by close friends and family, Wilson stood to give a speech. He told everyone how important of a role they had played in both Wilson and Khalia’s lives, both personally and in their relationship over the years. Then, he turned to Khalia, telling her how much he loved and appreciated her. In front of all of their friends and family, he knelt down on one knee and popped the question.
The Location
“When we first began searching for our perfect wedding location, I came across many mansions with historic elegance, manors with beautiful gardens, and banquet halls with enough space to hold all of our potential guests,” Khalia remembers. They ultimately chose to have their ceremony at University of Maryland’s Memorial Chapel for its beautiful architecture and grand pipe organ. For their reception, they chose The Hotel at Arundel Preserve because it offered an all-inclusive reception package. They also loved the modern look of the hotel as it had “light-filled bubbles instead of grand chandeliers and textured walls instead of the typical historic wallpaper.”
The Dress
Khalia had watched enough idal television shows to know that she was going to go for a princess ball gown that would give her guests the “wow” effect. As she tried on dresses at difference idal boutiques, she also came to realize that she wanted a “rich” dress that had more substance and class. After searching online, Khalia found her perfect gown from an online seller. She chose a heavily beaded, princess ball gown with a Swarovski crystal cathedral length veil.
The Wedding Gifts
About a month prior to the wedding, Khalia met up with their wedding photographer, Vanessa Smith, to do a boudoir photo shoot. Khalia turned the photos from the shoot into a photo album she gave Wilson as a wedding gift. Thanks to some heavy hinting on Khalia’s part, Wilson gave Khalia her dream tote bag for a wedding gift.
The Ceremony
Their ceremony was a classic and traditional Christian wedding with a few special touches to make it unique. To eak any lingering nerves as the ceremony started, Khalia had her youngest nephew walk down the aisle with a sign tied around his shoulders stating “Last Chance to Run! Uncle Wilson.” The couple exchanged personal vows and then, after the declaration of their marriage, jumped the oom. Jumping the oom is an African-American tradition and a symbol of sweeping away the old and entering upon a new adventure as husband and wife.
The Reception
After the cocktail hour, guests were welcomed into the ballroom, which was filled with pink up-lighting and a sea of tea light candles and votive candles, and flowers of all shades of pink floating inside of each vase on each table. Khalia and Wilson entered the ballroom to a choreographed group dance with their idal party to the song “Cheerleader” by OMI.
The Wedding Favor
The couple ordered wine glasses from a wholesale restaurant website and personalized them by writing thank you in gold and silver ink pens. This way, when their guests got home, they could wash away the ink and add the glasses to their own personal collection.
The Hotel
“My best decision,” Khalia reflects, “was to have my wedding at a hotel. Although other venues such as country clubs, mansions, and museums were elegantly unique and perhaps cheaper, the hotel alleviated many of my worries and eliminated the need for a middle man with all of the vendors required to furnish, cater, and decorate a hall or other unique venue.”
The Happily Ever After
“… is absolutely amazing,” the couple shares. “Although we married young, it is a blessing to be able to literally grow up with my husband,” adds Khalia. “Our future is so ight, we have many goals we want to achieve, and great family traditions we want to establish within our little family.”
Styling:
The Hotel at Arundel Preserve
Florist:
DIY
DJ:
DJ HD, Ideal Media
Caterer:
The Hotel at Arundel Preserve
Bride's Gown:
Private Collection by Alfred Angelo
Bride's Shoes:
Badgley Mischka
Bridesmaid dresses:
White by Vera Wang from Davids Bridal
Men's attire:
Black by Vera Wang from Men's Warehouse
Bride's jewelry:
Ever Faith Jewelry
Engagement Ring:
Waldin Jewelers
Wedding Bands:
Waldin Jewelers
Stationer:
Ann's Bridal Bargains
Videographer:
David Salebe from Bella Vista Films
Makeup:
Khalilah Montgomery-So owski from Palatable Creations
