Charming Waterfront Wedding in Woodbridge, Virginia

It was March of 2017, on the beautiful US Virgin Island of St. Croix, where Ebony and Thomas’ love story first began.

Introduced by a mutual acquaintance, Ebony was “excited to meet a new friend” who could show her around the island, but upon meeting Thomas at a local lounge it quickly became apparent that they would become “more than just friends.” By the end of that evening, they were already planning their first adventures together. In the Fall of 2019, surrounded by the love of family and friends, Thomas and Ebony were pronounced husband and wife during a charming waterfront wedding in Woodbridge, Virginia.

Bride & Groom: Ebony & Thomas
Occupations: Attorney & Nurse
Wedding Date: September 28, 2019
Wedding Location: Woodbridge, Virginia

How did you meet? As fate would have it, Thomas and Ebony met in the U.S. Virgin Islands on the beautiful island of St. Croix on March 16, 2017. Ebony, raised in Georgia, had been on the island for just a few months when a friend offered to introduce her to Thomas, a Boston native, who had moved to St. Croix in 2013 for a job opportunity. Ebony was excited to meet a new friend who could show her around the island, but when Thomas and Ebony met at the local lounge, it was clear that they would be more than just friends. They talked for hours about their goals, the importance of family, and their experiences on the island. By the end of the night, Thomas decided to ask Ebony to join him at the St. Patrick’s day parade the next day, which was the beginning of their many adventures together.

Tell us about the proposal! Thomas’s family-oriented attitude was one of the first things that attracted Ebony to Thomas, so it was only fitting that he proposed in front of her entire family. Ebony’s mother is 1 of 15 children, and family reunions on the 4th of July are a large affair. This year, there was a band playing at the family reunion. A few hours into the reunion, Ebony was confused to see Thomas get on stage with the band and grab a mic. What was he doing? Was he about to sing? Little did she know, he had coordinated with several members of her family in preparation for this moment. Thomas began to profess his love for Ebony. After he told her and her entire family how he felt about her, the band, perfectly on cue, began to play a beautiful rendition of John Legend’s, “All of me”. He came down from the stage, got on one knee in front of Ebony, and asked for her hand in marriage.

Describe your wedding attire! Ebony wore a romantic mermaid dress by Essence of Australia with a classic keyhole back and embellished tulle. Thomas wore a navy blue velvet tuxedo jacket with black tuxedo pants and black Louboutin Shoes.

What was the wedding shopping experience like for you? Spontaneous! I was a resident of Virginia at the time, and it was important to me to have my mother by my side when I found my special dress. I already had plans to travel to Atlanta for a baby shower that my brother and sister-in-law were hosting so I figured, why not go dress shopping while I’m there? I was able to get a last-minute appointment with the bridal salon and convince my mom, my sister-in-law, and a few of my closest friends to join me. When I tried on the third dress, I knew it was my wedding dress.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? Since we met on the island, we incorporated our island love story as a major theme of our wedding. Our reception menu included oxtails, jerk chicken, plantains, and other island culinary staples. Our signature drinks were variations of our favorite island cocktails. We also incorporated the African American tradition of jumping the broom at the end of our ceremony.

Wedding Party Gifts: The bridesmaids received earrings and matching baseball jerseys. The groomsmen received personalized flasks.
Gifts for Each Other: He gifted her a pearl bracelet, and she gifted him a watch.
Ceremony Entrance Song: “This Is Why I Love You” by Major.
First Dance Song: “Is This Love” by Bob Marley Ft., Corinne Bailey Rae

What is your best memory from your wedding? The best part of the wedding was when we saw each other for the first time at the ceremony. When we looked into each other’s eyes, the anxiety and nerves of the day subsided, and we were overcome with peace of being surrounded by love.

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Be mindful of your budget and have a spending limit in mind before getting quotes from vendors. Most vendors are willing to negotiate. On the day of the wedding, allow yourself to enjoy the day.

Vendors:
Photography: Marquel Yvette Photography
Venue: The Osprey’s at Belmont Bay
Catering: Bahama Breeze
Planning: Design by Courtney Nicole
Floral + Décor: Tabletoppers by Cathy
DJ: Mark Dennis
Hair: Kenya Ceylon
Makeup: Erica Ni’cole & Tiera Marie
Bridal Gown: Essence of Australia
Bridal Salon: Formally Yours
Bride’s Shoes: Betsey Johnson
Groom’s Tux: Nordstrom
Groom’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin
Bridesmaids Dresses: David’s Bridal
Groomsmen: Men’s Wearhouse