Shelvia and JuTorrean’s Louisiana-style black-tie wedding perfectly blended elegance, culture, and fun, featuring romantic florals, elegant fashion, and a second-line parade!
Shelvia and JuTorrean first met and later reconnected through their shared passion for community service.
From the start, we knew that service to our community would be a priority for us. Even before we got engaged, we had already decided to incorporate a community service project into our wedding weekend and invite our guests.
– Shelvia
JuTorrean originally planned to propose during his birthday weekend, but Shelvia surprised him with a trip to Florida for his birthday and their dating anniversary, making JuTorrean change his game plan and propose the day before Shelvia’s birthday celebration. He reached out to everyone Shelvia holds dear, ensuring they’d be present for the big moment.
As the self-proclaimed “Queen of Surprises,” it was no easy feat to pull off without me catching on, but he did it flawlessly.
– Shelvia
Shelvia and JuTorrean’s Louisiana-style black-tie wedding was centered around “lagniappe”, a French word for “a little something extra”. They wanted their wedding day to reflect their own “lagniappe” and stay true to their Louisiana traditions by being gracious hosts. Blending equal amounts of black-tie elegance and fun, the bride and groom couldn’t stop beaming with their guests through the ceremony, reception, and second-line parade.
See the beautiful details of their Louisiana-style black-tie wedding below!
- Couple: Shelvia & JuTorrean
- Occupations: Attorney | Federal Law Enforcement Officer
- Wedding date: December 2, 2023
- Wedding Location: Shreveport, Louisiana
Quick Facts:
- Gifts for bridesmaids: We wanted our gifts to reflect our personalities and a few of our favorite things, while also setting the tone for our upcoming wedding.
- For the bridesmaid proposals, I curated chic acrylic boxes, personalized with each bridesmaid’s name in blush, tied with a black ribbon. Inside, they found blush stationery designed by the local ‘Please and Thank You Paper Co.’, black and gold tea cup and saucer sets, gold tea diffusers, lavender chamomile tea in elegant black holders with blush ribbons, Nest candles, champagne, and my signature red lipstick, ‘Bawse Lady’ by The Lip Bar.
- On the day of the wedding, I gifted them black and blush plissé lounge outfits, black and ivory pearl sandals, pearl drop earrings, personalized cups, Zapp’s potato chips, and little survival kits filled with Liquid IV, Advil, under-eye patches, and hair ties.
- Gifts for groomsmen: For the groomsmen, the proposal boxes followed a ‘Suit Up’ theme and included customized matte black boxes filled with mini Buffalo Trace bottles, cigars, cigar cutters, “Suit Up” personalized stationery (also designed by Please and Thank You Paper Co.), and black bow ties. On the wedding day, the groom gave each man at the wedding party, including family members and ushers, ‘The Duke’ bow ties by Well Groomed Man.
- Ceremony entrance song: Groom- “The Only One for Me” by Brian McKnight | Bride- “Here I Am” by Leona Lewis
- Reception entrance song: “Best I Ever Had” by Drake
- First dance song: “Sent from Heaven” by Rahsaan Patterson
Gifts for one another: Like many couples, we exchanged wedding gifts on our big day through ‘special deliveries.’
As someone who loves tradition, I chose a timeless gift—a classic gold Movado timepiece that complements his wedding band, along with a handwritten note. But of course, the groom stole the show, as always, with his ‘trifecta’ of beautiful gifts. While the pearl David Yurman bracelet and the stunning oversized bouquet of white and red roses with a ‘D’ in the middle were beautiful, what really touched my heart was the cup from The Oyster Bar—a local restaurant where we had our first date. Inside was a note that read, ‘From first date to Mrs. Davis. I love you!’. The fact that he made the time to stop by the restaurant and handwrite that note meant the world to me. It’s these small, thoughtful gestures that remind me why I fell in love with him.
How did you meet?
We initially met and later reconnected through community service, a passion we both share and have made a cornerstone of our relationship. From the start, we knew that service to our community would be a priority for us. Even before we got engaged, we had already decided to incorporate a community service project into our wedding weekend and invite our guests. This was our way of giving them a glimpse into “our world” and the values we hold dear.
Our story began in 2016 at the Kappa League Scholarship Beautillion, an event hosted by Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., of which my husband is a member.
Two years later, we reconnected as volunteers and mentors for the same program. Every Sunday, we met with the participants at Queensborough Elementary School in our hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana. It was on that very campus where he asked me on our first date.
Tell us about the proposal.
My birthday weekend was planned to perfection, centered around the theme “The Perfect Gift”—a nod to both my love language and the significance of the weekend itself. Ironically, his original plan was to propose on his birthday weekend in June. I unknowingly threw a wrench in his plans three months earlier by surprising him with a birthday trip to Destin, FL, for our dating anniversary. His initial idea was that I was the “perfect gift” for him, but he soon amended it to mean that the proposal would be the “perfect gift” for my birthday.
He went above and beyond, doing extensive research and reaching out to friends from coast to coast—some of whom he had never even met—to invite them to share in the moment. It was beautiful to have family and friends from all phases of our lives together to celebrate the occasion.
After the proposal on Saturday, he hosted a surprise birthday party at our home, which turned into a true “family affair.” Even our friends’ children, who lovingly call us “Tee Shel” and “Uncle JT,” were part of the celebration. As the self-proclaimed “Queen of Surprises,” it was no easy feat to pull off without me catching on, but he did it flawlessly.
Wedding Style:
The dress: I always knew I wanted a lace wedding gown.
My mother wore a lace gown in 1982. I wanted to honor her, as she’s one of my biggest fashion inspirations. Although I had my heart set on lace, I fully embraced the dress-shopping experience and kept an open mind, trying on various styles. Ultimately, I chose an ivory and nude lace Badgley Mischka Bardot trumpet-style gown with an extended train. It was perfectly complemented by a tulle cathedral-length veil adorned with hand-beaded details, making the look both elegant and timeless.
Dress shopping was the first moment that truly made me feel like a bride. Unfortunately, it also coincided with a difficult time for my family. Between my local and Dallas appointments, we received the devastating news that my bonus mom, who has been in my life since I was ten years old, had been diagnosed with cancer. She needed surgery within a week and had to cancel her plans to join us in Dallas. While her health was our priority, I was heartbroken by the circumstances.
In response, my maid of honor immediately booked a flight from New Orleans to Dallas in less than 24 hours, to support me, joining my mom, godsister, and me on this most important shopping trip. Six months later, after her recovery and now cancer-free, my bonus mom traveled with us to Stardust Celebrations to pick up my gown. When she saw me in my dress for the first time, she was moved to tears. It’s a moment I’ll cherish forever.
The ceremony…
Bride’s Sendoff Look: Known locally for her beautifully embellished Mardi Gras creations, Kathy Green Designs was my first choice for creating my Sendoff look.
Mrs. Kathy’s daughter was one of my childhood friends. We shared years of birthday parties and sleepovers, making the process of working with her even more special. It was such a joy to reminisce and collaborate with her throughout this journey.
True to my personal and wedding style, I envisioned a timeless look with a hint of modern glam. I also wanted the outfit to reflect the fun, lively atmosphere of our second line, embracing the celebratory spirit. Mrs. Kathy brought that vision to life perfectly, blending elegance and flair to create a look that was classic and playful, ideal for the grand sendoff.
Reception details…
Groom’s Suit: Wayne Willis, a childhood friend of mine and fraternity brother of the groom, designed a custom three-piece, double-breasted ivory and black tuxedo under his brand, Well Groomed Man.
I had no idea what the groom would be wearing until the church doors opened. To my surprise, his tuxedo effortlessly matched my sendoff look! It wasn’t planned, but it felt like a sign of how naturally in tune we are with each other.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
HBCU and Black Greek Life Culture: We are proud two-time graduates of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
My husband earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Grambling State University. I am an alumna of Spelman College and the Southern University Law Center. We are also members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated.
Coincidentally, we were initiated the same year and share the same line number, the number eight. The number eight, often symbolizing new beginnings and eternity due to its resemblance to the infinity sign, has always felt like a special bond between us from the start.
During the reception, we paid homage to our organizations through traditions, by singing our national hymns and “strolling” around the dance floor.
My husband is also a member of Kappa Kappa Psi, Incorporated, a national band fraternity, and was a bandleader at Grambling. Several of our guests shared the bond of both organizations. Together they took center stage for a surprise choreographed routine during the garter removal. Ironically, the garter was misplaced, but the performance was so captivating that no one even noticed!
Lagniappe and Louisiana Saturday Night: In Louisiana, we have a saying called “lagniappe,” which is French for “a little something extra.”
Our state is known for great food, great music, and, most importantly, great people. If you’ve ever visited, you know there’s nothing quite like a “Louisiana Saturday Night.”
While we were determined to host a timeless, rooftop affair, we wanted our wedding day to reflect the many layers of our personalities—our own “lagniappe” to our guests. As true native Louisianans, we embraced our role as hosts, making sure our guests had an unforgettable experience.
Most people are familiar with New Orleans or Baton Rouge, but many of our guests had never visited Shreveport. We’re so glad we had the chance to showcase our hometown and demonstrate that Shreveport also has a rich Louisiana culture and a unique personality of its own.
What is the best memory from your wedding?
The Groom: My favorite memory was exchanging our vows. Even though the church was filled with guests, it felt like it was just the two of us. All the planning and preparation led to this moment, and it was perfect.
The Bride: I have so many favorite memories, but two stand out. First, when the doors opened, and I saw my husband standing at the altar in tears. It was such a powerful and emotional moment. Second, we choreographed dances with our parents. Despite all the last-minute wedding chaos, we had been secretly rehearsing. It was so much fun to finally perform and surprise each other. His dance with his mom ended with a streamer blowout. My brother made a surprise appearance in my father-daughter dance.
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
The Groom: Remember why you fell in love with your partner. There will be times when things don’t go as planned, and the wedding process won’t always be perfect or easy. Loving someone for who they truly are means offering them unconditional love through it all. Also, plan at a pace that feels right for you and your partner. Don’t let external pressure push you into anything before you’re ready.
The Bride: Be intentional about carving out time and space to nurture your evolving relationship, especially during this busy season. Consider finding a good premarital counselor to help navigate any differences that may arise. Make sure to set aside moments to spend together, free from distractions and wedding talk. While wedding planning can be stressful, it’s also one of the most meaningful projects you’ll undertake as a couple. Savor every moment of this journey together.
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Vendors
- Wedding Planner: Lani Bailey Events
- Photographer: Micahla Vaughn
- Videographer: The Wedding Goats
- Content Creator: The Archivist Media Content
- Wedding Cake: Silver Spoon Events
- Florist: Sibling Stems
- Production: STL Productions
- Event Design & Marquee Rentals: Embelleished
- Flower Walls: Rhue Nola Designs
- Rentals: Arklatex Tents
- Rentals: Pelican Tents & Events
- Rentals: Epic Rentals
- Rentals: Majestic Tent & Event
- Caterer: Keidra’s Kitchen LLC. | Shreveport LA
- Cocktail Hour Band: Muzikology The Band
- Second Line Band: Shreveport Second Line Brass Band
- DJ: ScooterMan Pro
- Transportation: iShuttle
- Makeup Artist Team: The B is for BLINK Eyelash Extensions | Erika | Tavia | Sharon | @bisforblink
- Bride’s Hair: Jacqueline Richardson
- Bridal Party Hair: Jamie Burt Jackson
- Paper Goods: Please & Thank You Paper Co.
- Branding and Graphic Design: Glo Creatives
- Embroidery: Regina McFarland
- Custom Second Line Handkerchiefs: Szabo’s Party Supplies
- Photo booth: Pose For the 360 Experience
- Bridal Suite Décor: Krewe Inflatables LLC Covington LA
- Wedding Gown and Shoes: Badgley Mischka
- Bridal Salon: StarDust Celebrations Stardust Celebrations
- Bride’s Second Look: Kathy Green Designs
- Menswear: Squires Formalwear
- Menswear: Well Groomed Man
- Reception Venue: Remington Suite Hotel & Spa
- Hotel: The Hilton
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