Nogah and Dheron’s Intimate Industrial Chic Wedding in Historic Philadelphia

After a chance meeting in Brooklyn, Nogah and Dheron’s relationship fell comfortably into place soon after. With their love as strong as ever two years later, they began discussing their happily ever after. But little did Nogah know that Dheron was already orchestrating their perfect engagement with the assistance of her family…

Read all about Nogah & Dheron’s love story, surprise romantic engagement, and experiences in their intimate industrial chic wedding in historic Philadelphia – featuring the floral work of MunaLuchi Coterie member Event Loft PA.

Bride & Groom: Nogah & Dheron
Occupations: Marketing Manager and Military
Wedding date: May 27th 2017
Wedding location: Power Plant in Philadelphia, PA

Tell us how you met and all about the proposal.
We met in Brooklyn, really all by chance. After dating for almost two years, we had talked about rings and marriage, but nothing really happened for months. Two weeks prior to his proposal, Dheron told me that he was going on a training trip and we wouldn’t be able to talk for a few days. I was really disappointed because we were planning a big party to celebrate my mother who had just completed eight months of chemo and radiation. Family is very important to both Dheron and I so I really wanted him to attend. But he said that the training was mandatory and that he couldn’t miss it, so I just sucked it up and said OK.
Meanwhile, my younger sister told me she wanted us to take my mother to dinner for her birthday the day before the scheduled party. Of course I thought that was a great idea, so we made reservations at a Cuban restaurant that my sister recommended. Fast forward two weeks to August 7th, my sister and I were sitting at dinner with our mom and the waiter came out to give us our menus. At this point I made a comment saying, “I haven’t been to a Cuban restaurant since me and Dheron’s first date.” As I said this I opened my menu and inside there was an insert. The top of it said, “Chef’s Specials” and as I continued to read it I realized that it was a letter from Dheron! It said how much he loves me, how he wants to continue building a future together and a lot more.
The bottom of the letter was a fake menu of some of our favorite meals: from Bo Jangles chicken to a horrible seafood experience we had that is now an inside joke between us. As I read the menu I was still sort of in shock until I realized a violinist was over my shoulder playing the beautiful Ed Sheeran song “Thinking Out Loud.” At that point I just started crying. I looked up and there was Dheron coming out of the restaurant.
He asked me if I finished reading the menu and I screamed out “No!” (Everyone thought I was saying no to the proposal!). I finished reading the letter and he finally asked “Will You Marry Me?” In between tears (and a peek at the ring) I silently nodded yes. I was so surprised! The whole training trip was a decoy! My mother, sister and cousin were in on it for weeks! They even helped him find the violinist, pick out the ring and create my special menu!

Describe your wedding style. Our wedding style was modern, minimalist and green. Our venue was very urban industrial, we wanted it to be a chill environment but still pretty and true to us.

What was wedding shopping like for you? Wedding dress shopping wasn’t too hard, I knew I wanted a low back, but once I found my dress it took 5 months for it to come in and then it arrived in the wrong size 3 months before our wedding. Having to rush order the dress and squeeze in the final fittings the week before the wedding was really stressful, but overall it was perfect – a lace design by Stella York. The front was pretty simple, while the back was low and detailed with a dramatic train.

Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding? We both are African American, we incorporated jumping the broom at the end of our ceremony.

Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: Bridesmaids received custom robes, champagne glasses, earrings and bracelets. Groomsmen received Stance socks with their favorite rapper.
Favorite item on the menu: Bacon wrapped scallops and Italian string-beans.
First dance song: “You” by Jesse Powell.

What is your best memory from your wedding? My favorite memory from the wedding was walking down the aisle. We opted to not do a first look (but rather a first touch) so when I came down the aisle and saw Dheron and watching him tear up, it started to make me cry. Also hearing his vows and reciting mine to him was so special. My older sister performed our ceremony, she was so happy to be a part of our day and marry us, that was also a really special moment…

What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples? Best wedding advice we can offer is not to stress over all the little details like custom napkins and ceremony signs. Focus on the big picture things like your partner’s wishes and planning the wedding you both want. It’s one of the best days of your life, and it’s over in a flash! Don’t forget to have fun, take mental snapshots of special moments, and to eat!

Vendors:
Invitations – Pixie Chicago
Wedding Dress – Stella York
Dress Salon – An Affair to Remember
Brides Shoes – INC
Make Up – KhayBelle
Brides Hair – Vivid Hair Salon
Brides Jewelry – Rent the Runway
Bridesmaids Robes, Glasses and Jewelry – Etsy
Groomsmen Socks – Stance
Bridesmaids Dresses – Weddingtonway
Groom and Groomsmen Suits – Men’s Warehouse
Ceremony and Reception Location – Power Plant 
Photography – Clever Girl Photography
Videography – Andrew Gromley
Florist – Event Loft
Cake – Brendenbecks
Catering, Linens and Day of Coordinator – Catering by Marios 
Photobooth – The photobooth Group
DJ – Mark Wilson
Violinists – Viodoulin
Pretzel Favors – philly pretzel factory