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Ivori and Kevin have reached an amazing milestone: they’ve spent the last 11 years loving and living as husband and wife. Talk about an occasion worth celebrating!!! To celebrate in style and recommit to each other, they renewed their vows in the most beautiful way. Michael Clark of Michael Clark Photographers captured their day beautifully!  We’ve also shared this stylish wedding with our friends over at Ebony.com.

Bride: Ivori Lipscomb-Warren
Groom: Kevin Warren
Occupations: Bride – Management Analyst + Event Planner; Groom – Information Technology Specialist
Wedding Date: 05.26.2012
Location: Oxon Hill Manor, Oxon Hill, Maryland

The Meeting ….. “My hubby and I literally did “click” - the computer mouse that is! No one seems to believe that we met in an AOL chatroom, but it really did happen one evening back in October 1998. After two months of talking online and then eventually on the phone, I received a handsome early Christmas present as Kevin came to visit me on December 24th. You see, this was the technology age when the internet was fresh and we did not have a picture to send via the internet. So, we had to trust each other and hope that we described ourselves perfectly (thank the Lord he did!!!). We actually had no intentions of falling in love, but after talking over the internet, on the phone, and spending every day together before he left for Korea (he was active duty Army – Master Rated Paratrooper), things took a turn for the better! Our friendship grew into becoming best friends and into love. When Kevin left, there was a big void in my heart and the city girl decided that it was time to leave her home and comfort zone of Baltimore, Maryland to start a new “life”  in the country…Fayetteville, North Carolina.”

The Proposal & Getting Married ….. “It wasn’t a shock to anyone when the two decided that they wanted to spend their forever together. On Saturday, June 23, 2000, Kevin proposed to me. It was not a traditional proposal at all. I must admit that I am very impatient (at times) and kinda messed up Kevin’s plans because I really wanted him to place the ring on my finger.  After he did so, we enjoyed a wonderful dinner at my favorite restaurant (at that time) – Red Lobster. Immediately after the proposal, I started planning our wedding that was to take place back home in Baltimore; and it wasn’t long before I had my gown! However, we decided that it was too much to plan from afar. As it was about the marriage and not the wedding, on Tuesday, May 22, 2001, on a nice spring day in Fayetteville (and after Kevin had just got off from 24 hour duty), we decided to venture to the Cumberland County Courthouse and as Nike says…”just do it”! While the wedding did not have all of the frills (me in a wedding gown, him in a tux , flowers, limos, etc.) that I would have liked, I was happy to call Kevin MY HUSBAND!”

Planning Early ….. “Marriage by far is not an easy “job”, but I am happy that God placed a man in my life that I had been praying for and because of Him in 2009 (yes, that is pretty early, but as an event planner, I needed to start early to ensure everything would be perfect and so that we would be able to book our dream venue), we started on the road to planning and celebrating…A Decade of Love!”

Wedding Theme ….. “Throughout the planning, the major theme was vintage & sexy! To bring the theme to life, I ensured that my color palette was full of soft and vibrant tones of ivory, cream, rose, taupe, mocha and brown. All of the tones were incorporated in every detail from my ivory Watters custom-tailored Escalante gown, to the english rose Priscilla of Boston dresses for my Matrons of Honor, to Kevin’s custom-tailored brown suit & his best men’s custom-tailored taupe suits, to the hostess mocha dress with an accent of ivory sash, and down to the stationery, floral decor, linens, and lighting.”

The Challenges ….. “While at times I think that I am superwoman, the truth is that I am not. So, the planner hired a planner, Mrs. Shelby Tuck-Horton of Exquisite Expressions & Events, Inc. to be my sounding board during all of the planning and to ensure a smooth wedding day! Our original plans were to celebrate with family and friends on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at Swan Harbor Farm in Havre de Grace, Maryland. This breathtaking venue sits right on the Chesapeake Bay, but as our luck would have it, life happens and we needed to postpone till May 2012. Unfortunately, due to our venue not being available on our date for 2012, we had to move our soiree to a new venue. Kevin and I did many site visits; but when we stepped into Oxon Hill Manor, we knew that we had found our venue! The history of the venue, the view of the Potomac River and National Harbor from the garden and patio, and the reflecting pool that sits right below the beautiful garden sealed the deal!! In keeping with our theme, there was no doubt that our evening ceremony would take place in the garden.”

Details & Decor ….. “Immediately following the ceremony, which was officiated by my father, guests gathered on the patio where they enjoyed the sounds of Chelsey Green and The Green Project while noshing on passed hors d’ouevres to include, blue cheese mini hamburgers, french fries served in cones, curried chicken tarts, mini crab cakes, cherry tomatoes stuffed with grilled shrimp & corn, crispy oysters, and crispy vegetarian egg rolls, and captured their excitement as they enjoyed the photo booth.  They were greeted by the continued theme of vintage and by pictures of Kevin and I throughout the years. Prior to being seated, they welcomed us as Mr. & Mrs. Warren (again…LOL) by their applause and smiles and shared in the blessing that was given by my mother. The decor elements at each table included taupe linens, rose napkins, tall and low centerpieces that incorporated diamonds for Kevin (member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.) and pearls for me (member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.), menu cards and the first course, a french green been salad that was served in martini glasses. In the man room where our sweetheart table was, we were surrounded by pink uplighting, candles on the mantle, a custom designed gobo on the dance floor and our monograms on the back of our ghost chairs.”

The Celebration ….. “After a plentiful dinner, my husband, on bended knee - along with his fraternity brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated - serenaded me with their sweetheart song, followed by my Sorors of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated serenading me as well. We started the party by doing a party stroll to, “Set if Off!” Family and friends immediately joined us on the dance floor and it was packed until the end of the evening, 12:00 a.m.

May 26, 2012, A Decade+1 of Love, was not only about reaffirming our love, but also about reaffirming our relationships with loved ones and for those in attendance to reaffirm their relationships or build new ones.”

Incorporating Culture ….. “We did incorporate our own twist by having a  Lighting Candle Ceremony during which the soloist sang, Whitney Houston’s, “You Light Up My Life”. [According to the officiant, this is what the ceremony represents]: the lights, representing the faith, wisdom, and love  are distinct, each burning alone. Ivori & Kevin will light the center candle to symbolize the union of their lives. As this one light burns undivided, so shall their love be one. From now on, your thoughts shall be for each other. Your joys and sorrows shall be shared alike.  May the radiance of this one light be a testimony of your unity. May these candles burn brightly as symbols of your commitment to each other; and as a tribute to the support of your family and friends.”

The Most Unforgettable Moment ….. “The most memorable part of our wedding day was actually each moment: from taking a moment when the soloist started signing Roberta Flack’s, “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face”, before walking down the aisle to the man who I have been madly in love with for the past 14 years, to having my father as the officiant, to including all of our family & friends in the ceremony by having them participate in the candle lighting ceremony, to seeing everyone (family, friends, and even our vendors) thoroughly enjoy themselves throughout the evening and partying the night away!”

{You Make Loving You So Easy}

He loves ….. “My husband is a comedian, trying to get him to answer this question took a minute (or maybe five). However, after getting serious, he said that he could not narrow it down just to one; there are two things he loves most about me: my sense of humor and how I keep him grounded.”

She loves ….. “WOW! The one thing that I love most about my husband? This is a hard question because Kevin is a wonderful provider, best friend, comedian and lover.  However, as I have to narrow it down to just one, I would say that THE ONE thing that makes me love him more and more everyday is that he is my #1 cheerleader!! For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, he is always by my side pushing me to excel when I am ready to give up and never allowing me to take “No” for an answer. He sees the best in me and always encourages me to do the same!”

Click here to view the entire gallery.

Vendors

• Wedding Planner + Event Designer: Ivori Lipscomb-Warren of Simple yet Elegant Affairs, LLC  {Official Coterie Member}
• Day-of Wedding Planner: Shelby Tuck-Horton of Exquisite Expressions & Events, Inc.
• Bridal Gown Designer: Escalante by Watters
• Bridal Boutique: Betsy Robinson’s Bridal Collection
• Matron of Honor Dress Designer: Priscilla of Boston
• Groomswear & Best Men’s wear: Christopher Schafer Clothier
• Hair Stylist: India McCleod of I. McCleod Salon
• Make-up Artist: Nora Patton
• Nail Artist: Stacey Queen
• Accomodations for Bride, Groom & Out-of-Town Guests: Gaylord National Resort and Covention C enter
• Ceremony + Reception Venue: Oxon Hill Manor
• Photographer: Michael Clark of Michael Clark Photographers
• Videographer: Blue Sky Films
• Florist: Da Vinci’s
• Officiant: Minister Larry Gibson of First Baptist Church of Hampton , Virginia
• Soloist: Tomkia Arnold of Queen’s Entertainment, LLC
• Musician (Cocktail Hour): Chelsey Green and The Green Project
• Caterer: Linwoods
• Linens (Sweetheart, cocktail & guest tables) + Chairs & Tables: Select Event Rentals
• Linen (Cake table): Mosaic
• Linen (Napkins): Let’s Do Linens
• Pastry Chef: Rashida Kenney of Sprinkles Specialties
• DJ: Tanz Davidson
• Lighting: 27 Studios Event Lighting and Draping
• Photo Booth: Onomonomedia
• Transportation for Bride & Groom: Regal Limousines
• Transportation for Bridal Party & Guests: Escort Limousine Service
• Stationery Suite (Save-the-Dates, programs, favors, signage and thank you notes): Madeline Comoglio of MLC Designs
• Stationery Suite (Invitations, table numbers & charts, menus & favors, welcome + thank you’s): Kimberly Bond of Preston’s Stationery
• Stationery Suite (Invitations, placecards, seat signs for ceremony and signage) : Allison Barnhill of Allison Barnhill Designs
• Veil:  Blush Pink rhinestone adorned veil by Twigs and Honey