Katrese and DeAnthony swiped right to love when they met on the dating app Bumble. They found out they only lived five minutes away from each other and began making plans to connect.
The Bumble algorithm made a perfect match because years later DeAnthony proposed. To throw Katrese off, DeAnthony invited her over for a relaxing night of movies, and Chicago favorite- Harold’s Chicken. When she arrived, she found that she was the star of the show. An aisle of candles met her at the door leading to DeAnthony in a tuxedo holding a rose-shaped ring box, inspired by the ABC network’s hit reality TV show “The Bachelor”. A picture slideshow was playing in the background with moments from the couple’s relationship accompanied by a romantic playlist. After saying yes, the two slow danced, toasted, and enjoyed their private moment together.
They initially planned to get married in New Orleans, but with safety concerns over COVID-19 they decided to change their arrangements. They share, “Many of our friends were pushing back their weddings, but after surviving the pandemic more than ever we wanted to get married as quickly as possible. We moved forward with an intimate wedding with every precaution in place to keep our guests safe.” They settled on the Old Baum Church, a magnificent historical site in downstate Illinois. It was the perfect venue for an intimate outdoor wedding. In three weeks, they gathered all of the materials necessary to make the venue work including hand fans, parasols, and canopy tents to keep their guests cool.
Their nuptials prove that smaller weddings can still be full of stunning style.
See all of the details from their romantic, intimate wedding which was featured in our Winter 2021 magazine, below.
- Couple: DeAnthony McKenzie & Katrese Kirk
- Location of Wedding: Old Baum Church in Waterloo, IL
- Wedding Date: 7.11.2020
Describe your wedding style.
Romantic, Whimsical
Describe your wedding dress and your favorite wedding accessory.
My wedding dress was a 2 piece off the shoulder, ruffle top with drop waist full tulle skirt by Laury Bride. Laurie custom made this dress for me in 3 weeks. My favorite wedding accessory was my headpiece, created by Twigs and Honey. I felt like a princess in my floral crown. My second favorite wedding accessory was my “something blue.” My Mom gifted me a 4 carat emerald cut blue sapphire on the wedding day.
What is your best memory from your wedding?
My best memory is the creative way we acknowledged the season. We could not ignore that we were getting married in the midst of a pandemic. Not only did we decide to protect our guests, but do so
in a creative way: food trucks, custom masks, custom hand sanitizer bottles and signs reminding to social distance that read, “make the love last give me 6ft.”
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples planning for their wedding during the COVID-19 Epidemic?
You do not have to sacrifice style just because you are planning a smaller wedding with restrictions. In fact, a smaller guest count allows you more budget to personalize details for your guests. Getting married during a pandemic is historical, so document the moment in your day.
Other details…
We rented the Gatsby Penthouse in St. Louis to get dressed. We loved the old glamour decor and art.
Our officiant was the bride’s mother, Rev. Patricia Herring pastor of St. John AME Church in Springfield, IL.
Vendors
- Photography: Emily Melissa Photo
- Bride’s dress: Laury Bride
- Bridal salon: Dawn Shelby, St. Clair, IL
- Bride’s Headpiece: Twigs & Honey
- Veil: Laury Bride
- Bride’s shoes: Ceremony- Sophia Webster; Reception- Manolo Blahnik
- Bride’s purse: Chanel
- Bride’s fragrance: Chloe Nomade
- Bridesmaids dresses: chose their own dresses
- Cakes/desserts: The Cup Cupcake Truck
- Catering: Seoul Taco Truck
- Ceremony venue: Old Baum Church
- Event decor/design: Daintee Dollz LLC
- Entertainment: Orchestra – Rosewood Ensemble,
- DJ: A.Eye (Allen Eye)
- Day of Coordinator: Natalie’s Brides
- Florals: Something Borrowed Blooms
- Groom’s attire: Suit Supply
- Custom groomsmen attire: Men’s Wearhouse
- Hair: LeJoia Van Hook
- Linens: Decorum’
- Makeup: April Ivory Cosmetics
- Reception venue: Old Baum Church
- Rentals: Decorum
- Graphic Design: D3Media
- Videography: AG Pho
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