T’Nora and Josh could have never imagined finding the loves of their lives during a major Nor’easter. They’d seen each other amongst friends for a while but it was the storm that ultimately brought them together. “The power was out across the city so we spent most of the day and early evening in the hallway of a friend’s dorm laughing and talking under the dim emergency lights with many of our friends,” T’Nora shares. After some time, everyone who had emergency power started going their separate ways but Josh was still without. “I invited him to wait it out and watch movies with my roommate and me, since we were one of the few dorms with complete power, and could actually watch TV and also had heat. From that point on we were inseparable,” she says.
The couple said their “I do’s” in a beautiful Tiffany blue and white wedding at The Chrysler Museum of Art. Bridesmaids donned the classic hue in the form of one shoulder gowns. A white and blue 5-tier cake took center stage at the reception, a perfect compliment to the bride’s glamorous gown. Their wedding was the polar opposite of the Nor’easter that started their love story but romantic all the same.
Quick Facts
Favorite item on the wedding menu: Apricot scones with baked ham. The lemon chicken was my husband’s favorite.
Bridesmaids/groomsmen gifts: The Bride gifted the bridesmaids with their wedding day earrings, bracelets and professional makeup services by a celebrity makeup artist. The Groom gifted the groomsmen with apparel that referenced all of their favorite sports teams.
First dance song: “All of Me” by John Legend
Bride: T’Nora Davis
Groom: Josh Davis
Wedding date: 08/30/2014
Wedding location: Norfolk, VA
Tell us all about the proposal!
May 18, 2013 exactly three years after we started dating, we attended my uncle’s wedding. I was told before we went to the reception we needed to go back to the house because my mom needed to grab something. While we were there Josh hands me a box of chocolates and a card for our anniversary. I read the card and took the chocolates and told him how much I loved them. I really didn’t like that kind of chocolate, so I sat the chocolate down and began to walk away. Josh said “wait I want a piece of chocolate.” He hates chocolate, so if he said he wanted some chocolate, I was thinking it must be some really great chocolate, so I wanted some as well. I was struggling to get the ribbon off the box, and when I finally did I was thinking that the box was kind of lopsided. Josh quickly took the top off the box and revealed a small box within the chocolate. I wanted to scream and get really excited but I suppressed my feelings just in case it wasn’t a ring, so I wouldn’t embarrass myself. I asked “is it earrings?” Instead of answering me he dropped down to one knee and proposed. I was laughing, clapping, and overjoyed. He was so nervous that before I could even answer he had already put the ring on my finger. Of course I was going to say YES, so it didn’t even matter.
Describe your wedding dress. What was your favorite wedding accessory?
There are certain things that I love about wedding dresses – organza ruffles, a fit and flare silhouette, a strapless and sweetheart neckline, ruching and Swarovski crystal beading. I knew I wanted to find a dress that combined all of my favorite elements. I looked in many bridal shops, but I could not find an amazing dress that encompassed all of those things. When I was close to settling on a dress that had most of the elements I wanted, I stopped by a boutique in Fredericksburg, VA that had the perfect dress for me. It was amazing and perfectly combined all of my favorite elements. My favorite wedding accessory was my necklace. I love a good statement piece and it was the correct mixture of flashy and elegant.
What is your favorite memory from your wedding day?
My best memory was once the ceremony was over and we had declared our love for each other in front of our family and friends, we partied our way down the aisle, stopped, did the Macarena and the Nae Nae. It instantly put everyone in the mood to party and have fun.
How was culture incorporated in your wedding day?
My husband and I are both a part of Historically Black Greek Letter Organizations. It was important for us to incorporate that element into our wedding. One of the groom’s cakes represented his organization and he also did a step and stroll during the reception with his fraternity brothers. All of my Sorors gathered around me and serenaded me with our Sorority hymn, and we also did a stroll later during the reception. Additionally, we jumped the broom as our parents, grandparents, and ancestors did before us.
What advice do you have for our brides-to-be?
Don’t stress about your wedding! Planning our wedding was such an amazing process. Having the opportunity to decide how we wanted every single element of one of the most important days of our lives to be was a blessing and we loved every bit of it. It is important to not let what other’s ideas of how your big day should look influence the big dream that you have in your head.
Vendors
Cinematography – Intellect Media
Photography- Dreamalittle Photography
Wedding Venue – Chrysler Museum of Art
Wedding Dress Designer – Allure Bridals
Wedding Dress Boutique – Formal Envy — Bridal and Special Occasion Boutique
Wedding Shoes – Christian Louboutin
Reception Dress – Mona Dresses
Custom Dress Hangers – Highfills Hangers
Brides Accessories – Simply Modern Bridal
Headpiece – upforbest
Groom’s Tuxedo Designer – Michael Kors
Groom’s Tuxedo Shop – Men’s Wearhouse
Groom’s Shoes – Salvatore Ferragamo
Bridesmaids Dresses – Mona Dresses
Bridesmaids Accessories – Earrings Nation
Groomsmen Tuxedos – Men’s Wearhouse
Dog Tuxedo – Oliva’s Doggie Designs
Custom Ring Bearer Pillow – Elegant Threads
Ring Bearer Suit & Accessories – JCPenny
Flower Girl Dress – Mona Dresses
Flower Girl Accessories – Custom Ring Chests
Cake – Bella Cakes
Cake Stand – Custom made by Bride & Bridesmaid
Custom Cake Topper – URARTDESIGN
DJ – DJ Precise
Day of Coordination – Lasting Memories Weddings and Events
Lighting – Blue Steel Lighting Design
Photo Booth – Boardwalk Photo Booth Company
Catering – Cuisine & Company
Brides Hair – Styles by Nicky
Bridal Party Makeup – Nita J Makeup Artistry
Stationery – Custom made by Bride
Flowers and Décor – Vivid Expressions
Custom Aisle Runner – Thimbleana
Custom Sand Ceremony Set – Simply Seasonals
Leave a Reply