Everyone but the bride and groom wore black in this classic meets modern wedding at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.
Delores & Sgnelli (CJ) first met in high school in 2010, but their love story didn’t really begin until 4 years later when they ran into each other at American Deli in Georgia. After exchanging numbers, they started talking every day. Things flowed naturally between them and soon they made their relationship official.
Once we made it official that we were a couple he introduced me to his mom and dad and they were shocked. They told me he had never brought any girlfriend home so I must be special. Little did I know how special I would be to him.”
– Delores (The Bride)
As their relationship blossomed, they eventually welcomed their biggest blessing into their lives, their daughter, Scarlett, and became an adorable little family. In 2021, CJ orchestrated a surprise proposal (disguised as a family photo shoot) and planned a private engagement party with their closest friends and family afterwards to celebrate!
Their 2022 nuptials were a classic modern affair at the Georgian Terrace Hotel in Atlanta with everyone besides the bride and groom wearing sleek all-black looks. Delores and DJ stood out in all-white attire including a custom tux from Miguel Wilson Collection and a gorgeous sweetheart off-the-shoulder Winnie Couture gown. The entire day was brought to life by planner, Kris Lavender, and beautifully captured by one of our newest Muna Coterie members, Smithalee Photography.
More sweet details on their love story and stunning Georgian Terrace wedding below! Check out their wedding video here!
- Couple: Delores Minor & Sagnelli (DJ) Dawson
- Occupations: Bride is a Leave Management Consultant; the Groom is a Firefighter
Quick Facts:
- Date of Wedding: August 07, 2022
- Location: The Georgian Terrace (Atlanta, GA)
- Wedding Hashtag: #DatingtoDawson
- Gifts for their Bridesmaids & Groomsmen: The groomsmen and bridesmaids received a custom box for the initial groom/bridesmaid proposal. It was filled will all custom items (sunglasses, shot glasses, liquor, mirrors, jewelry etc.). On the wedding, day the bride gifted her ladies with perfume, custom robes and slippers. The groom gifted his guys with cologne and matching Burberry socks that they all wore that day.
- Gifts for one another: The bride gifted the groom with Diamond earrings and the groom gifted her with a Diamond bracelet that they both wore to the ceremony.
- Ceremony entrance song: “Halo” by Beyoncé which was played by Orchestra Noir.
- First dance song: “So High” by John Legend
How they met…
CJ and I met in 2010 at Arabian Mtn High School Sr. Year. He was a transfer from another school. I remember the other girls talking about him and saying how cute he was etc. When I saw him I thought the same but we socialized in different circles so my mind never wandered. It’s funny to think back that we were voted “most attractive ” as our senior superlative not knowing that one day we would be connected forever.
Fast forward 4 years after CJ graduated from college, he came back to GA, and our paths crossed at American Deli. He was there with his day 1 Ryan, better known as Sully. I don’t remember what I ordered but I’m sure he ordered mild wings, lemon pepper sprinkles with a peach drink. We struck up a conversation and exchanged numbers.
We started talking on a daily basis and it seemed like we had known each other our whole lives. Once we made it official that we were a couple he introduced me to his mom and dad and they were shocked. They told me he had never brought any girlfriend home so I must be special. Little did I know how special I would be to him.
We continued to date, and while doing so we were blessed with our biggest blessing – our daughter Scarlett.
The engagement…
I think most little girls dream of the fairy tale of a special engagement and a gorgeous wedding. People would ask me and him when we were getting married and I would say “it’s up to him” because he was the one who had to propose. Well, that day finally came for us. On July 31, 2021, CJ planned for us to take family pictures because after all we were a family and he said he wanted to have pictures in his locker at the Dekalb County Fire Station.
In true CJ fashion, I had to plan our clothing choices, color schemes, hairstyles etc. for the shoot. Little did I know that the photo shoot was really a decoy. While taking pictures the photographer was giving “what I thought to be odd” instructions to get the perfect photos. We had to face in opposite directions and when he told me to turn around I saw CJ on one knee, holding a little box with a gorgeous diamond ring inside asking me to spend the rest of our lives as one and become his wife. Through my tears of joy and ugly crying, I said “Yes”. The photographer continued to take pictures and our beautiful daughter was holding a sign that read “she said yes” and confetti was thrown. The moment was surreal.
An extra surprise…
After the photo shoot, CJ decided that we should go out to eat and celebrate. I asked where we were going and he was evasive. I didn’t care because I was now a “Fiance”. We arrived at the City Winery to eat. Unbeknownst to me, the restaurant was actually closed down for us. CJ, along with his parents, had planned the best surprise engagement party ever. We walked into this oasis of love and congratulations. I was in shock and could barely catch my breath.
Even though everything was happening so quickly I remember seeing my Mom, Sister, Brother, and Nephew congratulating us with hugs and tears along with his Parents, Aunties, and his Grandmother. It was overwhelmingly perfect. The Bankhead violinist was playing “Let’s get Married”!! All of our friends were there to celebrate with us.
The decorations, ambiance, and food were perfect. After taking more pictures, using the 360 spin booth, while sitting next to him, I took a moment to reflect and thought, “Wow, he did all of this for me, for us, our little family.” I knew that from that moment on, that it was really us against the world and the world better watch out. #DatingtoDawson
Wedding style…
Our wedding style was modern and classic. The vision was to have all our guests including our wedding party wear all black and we would both be wearing all white.
Attire & shopping experience…
The brides dress is from Winnie couture Atlanta location – it was the Venice model. The Groom was wearing an all custom suit by Miguel Wilson with a custom vest made of our family photos (a thoughtful surprise for the bride).
The shopping experience for the bride was very hectic. She found her dress and ordered it to be made 10 months before the wedding, but when it was finished they made the dress in the wrong size (2 dress sizes too small by accident). It had to be altered and completely redone within 4 weeks of the wedding. It all worked out in the end but it was cutting close. The dress was finished 5 days before she walked down the aisle. The groom’s shopping experience was very smooth. No issues at all and his suit fit perfectly.
Best wedding day memory(s)…
Bride: My best memory(s) from the wedding would have to be the quiet moment right before I walked into the ceremony. It was the first moment I had alone the entire morning and I was filled with so much emotion – I just broke down crying. I got a chance to really have a moment and to be vulnerable before having to quickly pull myself together right before the doors opened.
Also, we both decided to write our own vows and read them to each other while we got ready. We wanted to have a moment to our selves and agreed that I was a crier and would ruin my makeup at the altar. That moment was perfect since we didn’t see each other before the ceremony. It gave us a chance to connect as we shared our wedding gifts and vows. We read the traditional vows at the altar and that was a special touch that I’m glad we decided to do.
Groom: My favorite moment was when everyone left the reception room. We both just sat down at one of the tables in silence as the venue employees started to break down the room. We had a moment to just enjoy the silence and smile at the fact that everything was finally over and everyone was gone. It was such a good feeling of relief and bliss.
The cake…
Advice for other engaged couples…
Make your wedding day about you. During our wedding experience we had to realize that everyone we knew could not be invited. Understand that the most important people in your life should be there and that’s all that matters. Don’t stress yourselves out over “your moms best friends son” not being able to make the list. It’s about you two and that is what we had to learn and accept.
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Vendors:
- Planner: Kris Lavender
- Venue: The Georgian Terrace
- Bride Hairstylist: The Hair Doll
- Grooms Hair Braider: Jaz It Up Hair, LLC
- Makeup: BVEIL Beauty
- Florist: Christopher Marcs Design
- Barber: Cutz By Whit
- Design: Divine Celebrations
- Cinema & Video: Smithalee, LLC
- Photographer: Smithalee Photography
- Bride Dress: Winnie Couture
- Groom Tux: Miguel Wilson Collection
- DJ: Dj Pretty Boy Tank, LLC
- 360 Camera: Jamal D. Richardson
- Orchestra: Orchestra Noir
- Lighting: Uplight Your Event
- Bakery: The Frosted Pumpkin
- Floor Wrap: Chris Ladd
- Submitted via Two Bright Lights
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