Since we’re on a masquerade roll today, it’s only appropriate to share with you one of the spectacular weddings featured in the FW14 issue on stands now. The bride, Heaven Daniels, was a music minor in college so she wanted a Chicago wedding themed after her favorite opera, “The Phantom of the Opera.” Her wedding to Green Bay Packers Michael Daniels was everything she wanted and more…think dramatic ball gown, intricate masquerade masks and ornate gold and red decor thanks to her planner, Akeshi of Kesh Events. Yet, she still managed to incorporate some football into the festivities. Just take a scroll to see all the beauty! Thanks to Carasco Photography for these amazing photos.
Bride: Heaven Daniels- Stay at home mom, mary kay consultant and Co-Host on TV Talk-Show, “The Better Half”
Groom: Michael Daniels Jr. – Defensive End for the Green Bay Packers (#76)
Wedding Date: 06/12/2014
Wedding location: Hotel Allegro – Chicago, IL
Quick Facts
Theme: Masquerade (Phantom Of The Opera)
Color Scheme: Black & White with hints of gold and red
Wedding flowers: Lots of red roses, with bling!
First Dance Songs: Love Of My Life-Brian McKnight and Treasure-Bruno Mars
Wedding Cake Flavors: Chocolate and Vanilla
Wedding Menu: Salmon, chicken, potatoes and asparagus
Bridesmaids gifts: earrings, silk shorts and shirt pajamas, blinged out flip flops, personalized makeup bags, blinged out hand mirrors, cute undies, personalized hangers with their names, wedding date and “bridesmaid,” on it as well as a David’s Bridal bag to hold all their goodies in
Groomsmen Gifts: White low top Converse sneakers, Socks that had their title on them such as “groomsmen,” “father of the groom” etc, black t- shirts that had white lettering on them…. they read “groom,” “groomsmen,” “Ring Security,”etc and all had a white bow tie at the top. They also had Jack Daniels.
Wedding Story
written by Angela Conner
Have you ever met someone and sparked a conversation with them that makes you feel as if you’ve known them for years? That’s the type of undeniable chemistry Heaven and Michael had from the moment they met. Michael spotted Heaven when he was mentoring her younger sister through a Christian organization. He invited Heaven to a party, and they ended up talking all night. From that moment on they were inseparable.
It didn’t take long for them to realize that they had fallen deep in love. One evening as they were about to leave one another, Heaven told Michael, “It’s weird because we haven’t known each other super long, but whenever you leave, or we hang up the phone I want to say…” and before she finished her sentence Michael said, “I love you.” They both started laughing, and Michael affirmed,” Well, I do.” From that moment on, they always told each other “I love you.”
That love would lead to two beautiful children, and a heartfelt proposal that didn’t go as planned. Michael wanted to propose to Heaven at a restaurant. He would pick a fight to throw her off, and then the waiter would come out with the ring! Sadly, their baby sitter fell through. However, Michael was determined to propose that night! He headed out with Heaven’s sister and cousin to bring back some food, since they did not make dinner. When Heaven’s cousin came back with McDonalds and no Michael, a pregnant Heaven became suspicious and irate. She was really hungry!! However, her cousin handed her a card and told Heaven to meet Michael at his truck. Heaven recalls, “I open the envelope and it’s a super mushy, loving card about spending our lives together. At this point, I got nervous and kind of knew what was about to happen.” She walked to the back of the truck and there was Michael, sitting crossed legged with a ring in his hands. Heaven reminisces, “I immediately started crying. I crawled in and smothered him before he even got to pop the question. My sister and cousin stood there snapping pictures and videos of everything, which I look absolutely crazy in because I didn’t listen to my sister, and I put on my crazy pajamas.”
Wedding planning soon commenced! Even though Michael plays football for the Green Bay Packers, the couple wanted to get married in Chicago. Luckily, Heaven immediately felt a connection with Chicago planner Akeshi of Kesh Events, and soon their long distance wedding planning was underway.
Heaven, who was a Music minor during college, knew she wanted a dramatic music themed wedding. She shares, “I have always loved operas and musicals, so what better time to put on a show than our wedding day right! One of my favorite operas is ‘The Phantom of the Opera,’ so I decided that a masquerade themed wedding reception would fully make my fairytale wedding complete!”
Heaven beautifully incorporated her theme into many aspects of her wedding. Her dress was a “big, dramatic, blingy” ball gown with a long train reminiscent of Cinderella! Upon entering the reception, guests received Masquerade masks, and they were floored by the ornate gold, red and black décor, which included red roses, atop tall gold vases and gold table linens. The couple played music selections from “The Phantom Of The Opera,” and Heaven even surprised Mike with a song she wrote, and recorded for him. She debuted the music video for the song at the reception right before she changed into her gorgeous second dress! Mike brought a little of his football expertise into the wedding, by tossing an autographed football with a garter around it. Heaven and Michael truly had a fun and luxurious wedding that incorporated what is dear to them: music, football and most importantly family!
Wedding Style
I found my wedding dress while on a Chicago shopping trip with some of the other Green Bay Packers wives/spouses. My best friend here had recently gotten engaged too so we decided on our day trip that we would look for wedding gowns. Dimitras Bridal was the first wedding dress store we stopped in and after telling the ladies what I was looking for, they brought out their selections. I wasn’t really feeling anything at first, and then they told me they had a dress from a trunk show going on they thought I would love. They brought it out, I tried it on and fell in love instantly. I even looked at other dresses in other stores and still knew that that was my wedding dress. Everything I dreamed of in a wedding dress…. big, dramatic, blingy, cinderella, long train, huge… etc…… that dress encompassed. It was so perfect! The designer was:Stephen Yearick.”
Advice for future brides
My advice for brides to be is have fun! I know it’s cliche but be involved, know that everything won’t happen as planned but what’s meant to happen will, and at the end of they day as long as you and the love of your life are married then it was a success. Make sure to have good people around you…. who genuinely love and support you, keep GOD first and everything will fall into place.
Vendors
Wedding Planning , Floral & Event Design | Kesh Events
Photography – Carasco Photography / Videography – Mirar Productions Venue / Hotel Allegro Chicago Dance Floor , Gobo & Photo Booth – A Posh Production / DJ – DJ Patt /Wedding Cake – Alliance Bakery / Linens – Windy City Linen / Rentals – Tablescapes Party Rentals / Bride’s Dress – Dimitra’s Bridal Chicago / Wedding Stationery – IJORERE The Invitation / Celebrity Make Up Artist – George H Mckenney IV / Hair – MJC Artistry
SUPERB BRIDE
Absolutely Gorgeous!!!!!!!