It is remarkable how love can give us the strength to endure and thrive in the face of unexpected hardships. When Michelle met her husband-to-be, Ahijah, he had amazingly survived a serious motorcycle accident that left him wheelchair bound. However, his personality and confidence is what stood out to Michelle and they built a friendship that turned into a beautiful relationship. Over the years, their love became more resilient despite people’s concerns over the difficulty of having a disabled partner. Michelle shares, “Being a nurse in a way I think is a blessing for the both of us because I know what he can do, his limits and whatever comes our way as far as limitations I can handle it. […] We deal with the stares of those who don’t know or even people who may ask questions and it makes us both laugh. Us being together has built a stronger confidence in me too which I absolutely love. We are definitely a different couple and that makes us stand out and we are both up for the challenge. Love is hard to find, being superficial to save face for others is not who I am, and you can’t help who you fall in love with.”
Ahijah wanted to surprise Michelle when he proposed. So unbeknownst to her, he traveled to her father’s house in New Jersey. When Michelle came to visit her father early one morning, Ahijah greeted her and asked for her hand in marriage in front of her maid of honor, father and stepmother. The couple began planning for their wedding soon after.
They knew they wanted a classic wedding with an old Hollywood feel; however, Michelle was concerned about how she was going to organize a wedding in Virginia when she lived in New Jersey. Dedicated to having the wedding of her dreams, Michelle drove to Virginia every month to meet with vendors, and everything she envisioned for her big day came true. She wore her dream wedding dress, a fabulous fit and flare gown, which she complimented with a beautiful bird cage veil for a bit of vintage glam. Black candelabras and red roses adorned the tables in their rustic winery reception space. Their nuptials were filled with many touching moments, but their first dance is what stood out the most for Michelle. She shares, “My husband was definitely against [our first dance] because he just didn’t feel comfortable, as he is in a wheelchair. But just before we got into the reception he changed his mind and told me he would try for me and that he did! Not only did we have an amazing first dance that everyone stood up and watched us do, he dance the whole night. That made me feel good and I was very proud of him.” Michelle and Ahijah’s relationship proves that true love always builds you up and continuously gives you the confidence to be your best self!
This beautiful wedding, photographed by Keith Cephus Photography, is also featured in our Spring/Summer issue which is on newsstands now.
- Bride: Michelle Clark
- Groom: Ahijah Clark
- Wedding Date: 11/02/2013
- Wedding Location: Williamsburg, VA
- Wedding Theme: Old Hollywood
- Wedding Colors: Ivory black and red
- Wedding flowers: Red roses with black berries
- First Dance Song: “Best of Me”- Anthony Hamilton
- Wedding Cake Flavor: Chocolate, vanilla cheesecake, lemon cake in middle, lime cheesecake on top.
- Wedding menu favorite: Salmon with mango sauce with rice pilaf.
How They Met
Ahijah and I met through a mutual friend of ours during a visit to Virginia to visit my grandparents. Our mutual friend invited both of us out for drinks and from there it sparked an interest. Then Ahijah, our mutual friends came to ny to visit and we hung out again, and that’s when we exchanged numbers. From then on we exchanged numbers and kept in touch and build a friendship that led into a relationship! He proposed by driving up to New Jersey, my dad told me to come to his house early in the morning to go with him to drop his car off and so I did just that, he told me to come in the house really quick and little did I know Ahijah was in the basement with my MOH father and stepmother, with the ring in his hand. He asked me to marry him, I was in complete shock!
Wedding Planning
The planning process was rough only because I lived in NJ but wanted our wedding to be in Virginia . So every month I would drive down to meet with vendors. From the very start I knew I wanted the whole classic, romantic look. So for my wedding colors I chose ivory, black and red, the old Hollywood look. I knew I wanted lots of candle lights and jewels. So trying to find that look and not break the bank was a challenge. But everyday I was online, and having to sleep in order to work overnight was hard. But with the help of my now husband supporting me during the whole wedding process, not only was I able to have the wedding I envisioned, it took a lot of the stress off of me.
Wedding Style
Watching “SayYes to the Dress” all the time I knew the gown style that I wanted was the mermaid look. Since I had a very small wedding party, I wanted to include my close friends in the wedding dress process. But that didn’t work out lol. Wayy to many opinions. So I decided to go find a dress alone, and I found the perfect dress at Arlene’s bridal in Bloomfield. NJ. The designer of the dress is Mori Lee. I never though of myself as being a plus size person, but in the bridal world I was. This limited me to “the dress” I thought I wanted, which was a Vera Wang gown I fell in love with. But at Arlene’s bridal, I found the perfect dress that made me feel good, and gorgeous!
Most Memorable Moment
The most memorable part of our wedding day was our first dance. My husband was definitely against it because he just didn’t feel comfortable, as he is in a wheelchair and felt like he would be limited in what he could do and didn’t want to be embarrassed. But just before we got into the reception, he changed his mind and told me he would try for me and that he did! Not only did we have an amazing first dance that everyone stood up and watched us do, he dance the whole night. That made me feel good and proud of him.
Vendors
Photography: Keith Cephus | View profile here
- Wedding dress: Juliette by Mori Lee, Arlene’s Bridal salon, Bloomfield NJ,
- Shoes: David’s Bridal
- Reception: Williamsburg Winery, VA
- Videographer: Delta Productions
- Wedding Coordinator: Cherry Blossoms- Crystal Beng
- Cheeses cakes: Mrs.B
- Ceremony: Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Yorktown, VA
- Makeup Markieta, MAC, MUA
- Hair: Simeko from mEKO New York
- Grooms cake: BELLA cakes, Newport News, VA
Beautiful pictures and I’m happy for your union. Have been in the same situation myself, as my boyfriend ended up in wheelchair after a serious accident. After grueling rehabilitation he can now walk again, but this incident only made us stronger together. I give a lot of respect to wheelchair users and their close ones – but it’s important to remember that wheelchair users are normal people, after all! (They even like to dance!!) <3 Wishing you two the best!