Atiya Dixon and Jim Morris, who met in Spanish class during their freshman year eleven years before their wedding day, planned their wedding just like any other couple would. Dress fittings, cake tastings, venue touring, and the list goes on. But Sandy had different plans. It was just a mere two weeks before their wedding when Hurricane Sandy changed the landscape of New Jersey and New York shores forever. And with no heat or power for 12 days and no way to get in touch with wedding vendors and family members, you can image the extreme pressure the couple must have experienced. It’s one thing to plan a wedding for months and then have to think of the possibility of your losing your dream wedding to a storm, but it’s another to lose your property and personal belongings. (Both Atiya and Jim lost their cars and Jim’s house was compromised by flooding and mold). Nevertheless, the couple knew that nothing was going to stop was God had planned for them. Atiya recounts, “God smiled on us and on November 11, 2012, we had the best day of our lives.” With help and donations from family and friends, Atiya and Jim were able to pull of an incredibly stylish and intimate wedding.
Atiya’s wedding style was truly spectacular, taking DIY to the next level. To compliment her sultry Justin Alexander dress, she custom designed and made her own dazzling brooch bouquet, the timeless hair adornment and her gorgeous bib necklace. She was also the wedding planner and the wedding designer, creating a vintage-inspired cake topper and a customized card box. “Our wedding was unique because we wanted to do things a little differently than most traditional weddings. We wanted a fashionably chic and sentimental day. Due to the storm, things were not executed as planned, but we wouldn’t have traded our experience for anything else,” says Atiya. Trisha Yearwood said it best, “What’s meant to be will always find a way.”
This wedding was featured in our FW2013 Edition. Thanks to Kimie of IYQ Photography for the beautiful images.
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Love Notes
“My husband loves my nurturing spirit, I support, compliment, and encourage him. I respect and treat him like the man and leader that God intended him to be.”
“There are too many things that I love about my husband, but the thing I love the most, is the way he loves . He is the perfect example of what being patient, kind, unselfish, giving and dependable is.”
– Atiya
Vendors
PHOTOGRAPHY – Kimie James of IYQ Photography and Jeff R. Miller
WEDDING GOWN – Justin Alexander
BRIDAL SALON- The Bridal World
BRIDESMAIDS- Vera Wang by David’s Bridal
SHOES – Louboutin
MAKEUP – Jody-Ann Fraser
HAIR- Empress Designs
HEADPIECE- Designed by the Bride
CEREMONY- Dabar Bethlehem Cathedral
VENUE + CAKE- Floral Terrace
STATIONERY- Cynthia Trotman, Elizabeth Couture Events
EVENT PLANNER/DESIGNER – The Bride
BROOCH BOUQUET- Designed by the Bride
VIDEOGRAPHER – A La Harte Video
ENTERTAINMENT- DJ Premier and Devale Ellis
Tooo Fly! Love it! This may be the best group photo I’ve ever seen. You all look wonderful. Thank God for his grace and mercy and CONGRATULATIONS!!
Very stylish and timeless design. Thanks for sharing another great NY wedding!!