Nicole and Kensy had a timeless and elegant wedding featuring luxurious custom details, gorgeous floral arrangements, and a reception that was a fun mix of the couple’s two cultures.
Our best memory of our wedding was our first look, it was the moment when time stopped and reality set in that we were marrying our best friend and forever partner.
Nicole and Kensy
The couple’s guests were cordially invited to a customized wedding experience which was gorgeously created by Tiffany Chalk Events and Event Loft PA. The bride and groom’s elegant wedding day began at The Inn at Penn Hilton Hotel Philadelphia where both the bride and groom participated in the traditional pre-wedding gift exchange by giving luxe and heartwarming presents to one another before the ceremony.
Nicole’s fairy tale ceremony gown was created by designer Ese Azenabor in Dallas, Texas and the designer also made a dreamy black reception gown for the bride-to-be. The bride’s dream reception dress was luxuriously beaded and embroidered with an organza tiered skirt and corset back. Likewise, the groom’s tuxedo, created by Don Morphy, featured a shawl lapel fully customized with dazzling Swarovski crystals.
For more on the couple’s heartwarming proposal story, elegant wedding, and show stopping reception, read on below!
- Couple: Nicole & Kensy Jean Claude
- Occupations: Social Worker & Accountant
- Wedding Date: 10/02/2021
- Wedding Location: Philadelphia, PA
Quick Facts:
- Wedding Date: 10/02/2021
- Wedding Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Ceremony Entrance Song: “Til death do us part” by Brain Nhira, sang live by our dearest friend, OluwaniFemi Oluyinka.
- First Dance Song: “Our Song” by Tank
- Bridesmaids Gifts: Customized water bottles and champagne bottles from Vinyl by B. Nicole, satin robes, and complimentary makeup/touch ups for the whole wedding day.
- Groomsmen’s Gifts: Don Julio 1942 tequila bottles, bow ties from Don Morphy, and lapel pins.
- Gifts For One Another: Nicole gifted Kensy a Macbook Pro laptop, a pair of Gucci sunglasses, and Hermes sandals. She received a Gucci bag, Alexander Wang heels, and beautiful perfume.
How they met…
On the campus of The Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, my friends and I were having a kickback in our apartment on campus. We invited all our mutual friends, and amongst those guests Kensy and I started to connect with each other after our first full conversation. Our mutual friends actually played match maker by secretly inviting Kensy using my phone without me knowing. We connected through our close birthdays, April 1st (mines) April 2nd (Kensy’s) of the same year, and also our parents having the same birthdays, which is very rare. That one conversation bloomed our relationship to what it is today.
The proposal…
On October 21,2019, our 6th year anniversary, we decided to take a trip to Paris, France to celebrate another year of our relationship. Kensy scheduled and planned a photo-shoot in front of the Eiffel tower followed with a beautiful dinner.
Once our trip was over, we returned home to celebrate the holidays with our family. On the morning of November 30, 2019, Kensy told me he had an event for his fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi, which he forgot about, and needed me to get dressed up that night. Initially I asked, “dressed up like heels or flats” and he said heels. I was hesitant at first as it was last minute, but I decided to get dressed, get my nails done, hair done and pick out a nice outfit.
We arrived at the venue and checked in with the front desk for our reservation. During this time it didn’t dawn on me that the reservation was only in Kensy’s name. We were seated and started our dinner, and Kensy mentioned that he just wanted to treat me to a nice date.
A sweet surprise…
Once dinner was over we ordered dessert, as we were eating our dessert the waiter brought out another plate with assorted cakes in the shape of a tiffany blue box. Written on the plate was, “will you marry me”. Kensy proceeded to get on one knee and asked me the beautiful question “will you marry me,” and of course I said YES with a burst of tears! We left and went to my parents home as I was so excited to share the news with my family.
On the way to their home I was calling all my out of state siblings but no one was answering. Once we arrived at my parents home we burst through the doors and I was surprised with an engagement party with all my family and friends.
Wedding style…
My customized elegant wedding gown and reception dress was from Esé Azenabor in Dallas, Texas. I wanted a dress that was timeless with a classic touch and I knew Esé had to do my dresses. I decided to have my reception dress be the twist for the night with it being a black crystal gown. Esé knew exactly the look I was going for once I described my vision. She completely transformed a floor sample and made my gown one of a kind. Kensy’s customized suit and tuxedo was designed by Don Morphy from Dallas, Texas.
Wedding shopping experience…
Due to Covid, wedding shopping turned into “online wedding shopping” so trusting my gut and the reviews that everything will be okay. Shopping for a seating chart was quite difficult as I wanted a mirrored chart that would hold all my guest names. However, the chart I was looking for was either out of stock or unavailable for my date. So I created my own.
Cultural elements…
I’m from a country in the West Indies called Dominica and Kensy is from Haiti. I wanted to incorporate our culture with the music and food the best ways possible. We had Caribbean inspired food during the cocktail hour and one of our wedding cakes was flavored Haitian Kremas. We also had the famous Haitian Dj, Stakz, from Brooklyn, New York perform to bring in that authentic Caribbean vibe and provided our guests with our country flags to finish off the party.
The reception…
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
We don’t believe in “shoulda, coulda, woulda’s”. There should not be any regrets about your wedding or the planning process. Communicate together, create a plan and build together.
Looking for more elegant wedding inspiration that brings beautiful cultures together?
Click here.
Vendors:
- Event Planner: Tiffany Chalk Events
- Wedding Photographer: Maxwell Jennings
- Florist & Event Designer: Event Loft PA
- Dress: Esé Azenabor
- Bridal Robe:Oyemwen
- Bridesmaid’s Dresses: Cinderella Divine
- Hair: Reign Beaute
- Makeup: Phira Phierce Beauty
- Shoes: Alexander Wang
- Cake:Lysa’s Cake’tique
- DJ:Dj Stakz
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