Atlanta Courthouse Wedding by Scobey Photography: Tamika and Antonio

While we admire the pomp and circumstance that comes with many weddings, the couple’s commitment and love should always be the focus of the day. Tamika and Antonio ensured that this would be so by having a very small and intimate wedding.   They organized their wedding in only five weeks, and pulled it off by keeping it simple and classy, surrounded only by a few friends, a judge, a photographer and in tribute to their Trini roots, a steel pan player. Even though their wedding was small, the bride wanted a dress that made her feel gorgeous and she went with a stunning ballgown.  Ashley Scobey of Scobey Photography,  captured all of the couple’s blissful moments.  This lovely wedding has been shared with our friends at Ebony.com.

• Bride: Tamika Gibson- Attorney
• Groom: Antonio Brathwaite- Ph.D. Student
• Date: 07/15/2013
• Location: Atlanta, GA

Description of Event

The wedding we had in mind was laid back and simple, while still being deeply personal. We had decided a while back that it would be very intimate and had shared this with our parents. Because they knew what we wanted beforehand and were supportive, it wasn’t too challenging to whittle down the guest list. We often joke that we had about five decisions to make in planning the wedding, and that’s why it took about five weeks to organize everything. By week number three, we were just waiting for the big day to arrive.

It was important that the day feel relaxed and filled with love and familiarity. I’ve practiced before the same judge for more than a year and he gave us a ceremony that felt very, very “us.” My friend who introduced us to each other read my favorite love poem. And we chose a photographer that could bring out the happiness and comfort we feel when we’re together.

Wedding Style

Even though our wedding was small, we wanted to look just as we would have if there had been a ballroom filled with people. I didn’t think about getting a dress that was appropriate for the summer or the size of the wedding – I just wanted the dress that made me feel gorgeous.

I can be indecisive, and was convinced that it would take me several salons before I found the dress I wanted. To my (and my husband’s) surprise, I found the dress at the first salon I visited – a small shop called Bridal Sense. My favorite High School teacher happened to be in the U.S. at the time, and she was the perfect mother figure for the day. It’s an Eden Bridals gown that, ironically, became discontinued a few days after I purchased it. To keep my parents included, I phoned them a picture of the dress before I made the decision. When my mother said, “I didn’t have anything in mind, but this dress is exactly what it’s supposed to be,” I knew I had the right one.

Given that I went in for an elegant sheath, and came away with a ballgown, my style advice to brides-to-be is to be open to adjusting your dress expectations. I had a very specific idea of what I wanted to look like, and had to reassure myself that it was okay to envision a different look.

Culture

We were both born and raised in Trinidad and Tobago, and including a Trini touch was a must. We hired a steel pan player for the ceremony, both because the instrument originated there, and because to us, there is nothing sweeter than the sound of a well-played steel pan. For our unity ceremony, we decided to use salt. We loved the idea of salt being used to heal, preserve and add flavor, all of which we want for our marriage. When we found out that it also held much of the same significance in Biblical times, we became even more thrilled about the idea.

Most Memorable Moment

After the ceremony, our pannist played some classic soca music, as well as the Luther Vandross song that I used to walk down the aisle. We had the time of our lives dancing, as it felt like we were being serenaded at our own, private Caribbean party.

You Make Loving You So Easy

From the Groom…”I love that being with Tamika is so effortless. As you can tell from the pictures, being with her feels natural and easy.”

From the Bride… ” I truly cannot pick between Antonio being a man of his word, and his being extraordinarily thoughtful. I guess they go hand in hand because both qualities make him a partner who values me and our marriage.”

Vendors

• Photographer – Ashley Scobey, Scobey Photography
• Wedding Dress – Eden Bridals
• Wedding Dress Salon – Bridal Sense – Sandy Springs, Georgia
• Groom’s Tux – Jos. A. Bank
• Hair/Makeup – Chelsea Hall and LaKesha Quinn
• Steel Pan – Henderson Massiah
• Ceremony Location – Old Decatur Courthouse on the Square
• Portrait Location – Cator Woolford Gardens – Atlanta, Georgia