This Couple's Art Museum Wedding Featured a Pretty Royal Theme and a Message from the Obamas!

Raven and Norman exchanged their vows in a luxurious royal-themed museum wedding at the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia.

Amazingly, the couple worked on the same floor but in different units and had never crossed paths until Norman was assigned to be on Raven’s unit. While Norman did try and ” shoot his shot” with Raven she was seeing someone else and any potential relationship between the two was put on hold.

Eventually, the two reconnected and experienced a magical beach hotel proposal with the couple’s family and friends standing by to congratulate them. After the couple’s unforgettable proposal, they enlisted wedding designer Love Always Wedding Planning to create a dazzling ceremony and reception.

Throughout the entire venue, the bride and groom’s florist Glamorous Events created floral arrangements with hues of blush pink, cabernet, ivory, and metallic gold that gave the celebration the perfect royal touch.

A unique touch to their wedding celebration was an audio guest book set up in the foyer for guests to leave them messages. Once they picked up the phone, they heard an outgoing greeting from Barack and Michelle Obama!

For more on Raven and Norman’s gorgeous art museum wedding, scroll through the photos below.

Couple: Raven McCarthy and Norman Clark
Occupations: Both Registered Nurses – Intensive Care Unit
Wedding date: September 9th, 2023
Wedding location: Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, VA

Quick Facts:

Bridesmaids and groomsmen gifts: Norman gifted his groomsmen a Givenchy cologne gift set, and I gifted my bridesmaids a self-care box with a personalized note, candy, face masks, a candle, PJs, earrings, lip gloss, lotion, a mirror, and a portable charger.
Gifts for one another: Norman gifted Raven a Yves St. Laurent Black Opium Gift Set. Raven gave Norman a photo album from a boudoir photo session
Ceremony entrance song: Processional Entrance – “A Couple of Forevers” by Chrisette Michele
Bridal entrance: “My Song” by H.E.R
First dance song: “ICU” by Coco Jones

Getting ready with the bride…

The dress…

My dress was a fitted, ivory Martina Liana gown with a strapless sweetheart neckline, floral lace, and a long scalloped train.

What was the wedding shopping experience like for you?

When I first went dress shopping, I went with 3 of my friends to 3 different stores. The second time I went shopping, I only brought my mom to Studio I do bridal and although I tried on many dresses, the one dress my mother chose for me to try on was the dress we both fell in love with.

The ceremony…

What is your best memory from your wedding?

Honestly, everything about my wedding day is my favorite memory. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at the wedding photos since we’ve received them. If I could go back and relive that day all over again I would. It was the definition of perfection.

Cocktail hour and reception details…

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?

I think the best advice I could give other couples is if it is in the budget, GET A WEDDING PLANNER! Hiring a planner was hands down the best decision we could have made. If a planner isn’t in the budget I would say although planning and budgeting can be stressful, make sure you have fun during the process.