Raquel and Charles Ayles met at the Annual Baton Rouge Sigma Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Christmas Ball. Noticing Raquel snapping pictures with her fellow sorority sisters under the Christmas tree and quite taken by her, Charles approached one of the sorority sisters and requested assistance with an introduction to Raquel. The introduction went spectacularly. The two hit it off, not knowing at the time that they had just met the loves of their lives; their life partners. Today, Charles says to his family and friends and anyone he finds himself telling his love story to, that Raquel was the best gift he found under the Christmas tree.
Christmas time has been quite a theme in the lovely couple’s relationship as Charles asked Raquel’s parents for their blessing two weeks before proposing to her at home ahead of a last minute Christmas shopping venture. Taking her time getting ready for the final trip, when Raquel finally walked out of the vanity area, she found Charles bending down on one knee, ready to ask the question that would impact their lives forever.
“God’s presence could be felt throughout the ceremony as Charles and I vowed to love and honor one another for eternity,” Raquel says of their traditional Christian wedding in Baton Rouge, LA. Exchanging vows in the winter, purple hues were spotlighted all throughout the day, bringing a royal, elegant look to the big day. The bride wore a beautiful Pnina Tornai dress adorned with her favorite accessory, an absolutely gorgeous jeweled broach. The couple chose “My One and Only Love” by Mark Isham and Kate Ceberano as their first dance song, the perfect introduction as a union to their family and friends. An introduction their loved ones will cherish forever.
Raquel and Charles purple and crimson wedding was designed by Coterie member Posh Productions. The wedding is featured in our Fall/Winter 2015 issue, available on newsstands now. You can also purchase your copy here!
Advice for future brides
My advice for future brides would be to enjoy every moment of this exciting journey. There are numerous traditional events (showers, dinners, engagement parties) leading up to the actual ceremony. These memories yield life long memories and I encourage couples to cherish these moments with family, friends, and most importantly one another. I also strongly encourage couples to find some quiet time to pray with and for one another and the marriage on the wedding day. This moment of prayer prior to the ceremony was special as we made our request known to God concerning our marriage. It was also a reminder that as long as we had each other on that special day, the day was perfect and nothing else mattered other than the love we felt for one another on that day and what we had to look forward to for the rest of our lives.
This gorgeous purple and crimson wedding can be found in our Fall/Winter 2015 issue, available on select newsstands now! You can also grab a copy in our online shop.
Vendors
Bride’s dress: Pnina Tornai
Salon: Kleinfield Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses: Lazaro
Cakes/desserts: The Royal Cakery
Catering: The Renaissance Hotel
Ceremony: Mount Zion First Baptist Church
Event decor: Posh Productions llc
Event planner: Posh Productions llc
Entertainment: Dwayne “DJ Cruz” Santa
Flowers: Bella Blooms Floral
Groom’s attire: Men’s Wearhouse (Calvin Klein)
Groomsmen attire: Men’s Wearhouse (Calvin Klein)
Hair: Tracey Ransome of Shear Magic Hair Studio
Makeup: Leah Square
Photography: Courtney Dellafiora
Reception venue: Renaissance Hotel
Stationery: Stationery Studio
Videography: Mrs. Ann Brooks of Brook’s Video
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