A Well-Suited Celebration

WRITER CREDIT:

PHOTOGRAPHER CREDIT:

A Well-Suited Celebration | Richelle Grant & Cedric Williams, June 30, 2012, Mother Emanuel A.M.E Church and Charleston Place

Charleston Wedding Charleston Place Hotel Big Day White Singleton Pronovias Shoes

FRAGRANT BUNCH: The bride carried a lush bouquet of white peonies.

BEAUTIFUL BANDS: “The most beautiful ring I had ever laid eyes on,” says Richelle of her diamond ring, which Cedric designed himself.

HISTORICAL TOUCH: The invitations resembled cast iron gates setting the tone for the couple’s historic, elegant nuptials.

N GOOD TIME: Along with the hand-written note, Richelle gifted Cedric a watch on the Big Day. “My mom is somewhat superstitious and would tell me that buying a watch for a boyfriend is bad luck because it is symbol that ‘time is ticking away in the relationship,’” laughs Richelle. “Although I’m not as superstitious as she is, I thought it wouldn’t hurt to wait and give him the watch on our wedding day.”

A SWEET SURPRISE: Cedric takes a break from getting ready to read the thoughtful note Richelle wrote him for the Big Day.

DOLLED UP: Hoping to show off her natural beauty on her Big Day, Richelle chose soft shades for her makeup.

FINAL TOUCHES: For accessories, the bride donned bedazzled peep-toe pumps from Nordstrom and a simple strand of pearls.

BEST DRESSED: Richelle carried around a snapshot of her Pronovias Barcelona gown for eight months prior to getting engaged. The dress, which is from the designer’s flagship store in New York City, almost arrived too late for the ceremony; thanks to a guest traveling to the wedding from New York, however, it made it just in time.

HARMONIOUS TUNES: The church’s grand organ and three soloists provided music for the ceremony.

SACRED BEAUTY: An exquisite floor to ceiling stained glass window, located directly behind the altar, filled the church with lots of natural light for the afternoon ceremony.

ALL DRESSED UP: The altar was draped with white linens, dressing up the church’s dark, wooden interior. In addition, Panther blue pom poms—a nod toward the couple’s cheerleading and football personalities—were placed in the pews for guests to wave as the couple exited.

BLACK TIE AFFAIR: Cedric, his groomsmen, and the ring bearer looked sharp in black and white tuxes from Men’s Wearhouse and bridesmaids donned floor-length Adrianna Papell gowns from Nordstrom.

TO HAVE & TO HOLD: Gazing into each other’s eyes, Cedric and Richelle exchanged vows.

STEP BY STEP: In addition to jumping the broom, the ceremony included the tying of “God’s Knot,” meant to symbolize the joining of man, woman, and Christ. Of the spiritual touch Richelle says, “Both of us come from Christian backgrounds, so it was important to not only celebrate our love, but to acknowledge that God was responsible for the day and our union.”

BIG DAY BLISS: “It was a great day that we’ll never forget,” says Richelle, posing with her husband on the grand staircase at the Charleston Place.

QUIET FLORA: White-on-white floral-pattern linens, hydrangea bunches, and votive candles kept reception tabletops soft and simple.

DISHING IT OUT: The Charleston Place hotel catered the reception feast, which included various stations like this carving table. The bride’s one regret of the night? “We would have eaten more of our amazing food that was being served during the reception!” says Richelle.

TASTY TOWER: The four-tiered cookies ‘n cream-flavored confection by Michaelangelo’s Kitchen featured dots and frosting flowers.

NICE SLICE: The bride and groom were all smiles cutting the cookies ‘n cream cake—the bride’s flavor of choice.

BE OUR GUEST: Fitting for the traditional tone of the evening, the guestbook was simple and classic.

MEANT TO BE: Of what she remembers most from the day, Richelle says, “The laughs and smiles on everyone’s faces.”

SURROUNDED BY LOVE: Dressed in a little white getaway dress, Richelle and Cedric exit to a tunnel of sparklers. “We are blessed to have each other and to have family, friends and coworkers who love us dearly!” says Richelle.

Photographs by:

Goodstuff Creative Photography

Though Richelle Grant of Columbia, South Carolina, and Charleston native Cedric Williams first crossed paths at the University of South Carolina, where she was a cheerleader and he was a football player, it wasn’t until he friended her on Facebook seven years later that they began dating. With Richelle working as choreographer and manager for the Carolina Panthers Cheerleaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Cedric living throughout the South, the couple dated long distance for more than a year before moving together to Newberry, South Carolina. Less than 12 months later, after his 2011 season opener as a football coach for Newberry College, Cedric proposed.

For their Big Day, the Charlotte residents envisioned a classic affair in Cedric’s hometown sprinkled with spiritual touches. The couple chose Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church—the oldest American Methodist Episcopal church in the South—as ceremony venue and the ballroom of the Charleston Place hotel for their reception. And for the color palette, they decided on black and white—a smart match for both the bright red and wooden interior of the church, and the neutral, warmly dressed ballroom of the Charleston Place.

And on June 30, 2012, Richelle joined Cedric at the end of the church’s red aisle. After the pair had exchanged vows, tied “God’s Knot” from the “Cord of Three Strands,” and jumped the broom together, they made their way half a dozen blocks south to the Charleston Place, where the ballroom was dressed in white blooms and soft lighting from the crystal chandeliers. Stations with salad and pasta, fresh cuts of meat and shrimp and grit offered guests a buffet supper before all took to the dance floor, which—in keeping with the bride’s profession—was lively, to say the least.“It was a huge party on the dance floor,” says choreographer Richelle. “I’ve never seen a floor so packed!” And after the pair cut into their palette-pleasing cookies n’ cream cake, they said farewell to family and friends (including Gamecock Coach Lou Holtz), amid a sparkler send-off. “Seeing everyone travel from afar to spend this day with us was the most rewarding gift,” says Richelle of the night. “Love was truly in the air!”

Vendor List

Baker: Michaelangelo's Kitchen; www.michaelangeloskitchen.com
Bridal attire: (dress) Pronovias Barcelona, (shoes) Nordstrom; www.pronovias.cz, www.thepradocollection.com, www.nordstrom.com
Bridesmaid's attire: Adrianna Papell, Nordstrom; www.adrianapapell.com, www.nordstrom.com
Catering: Charleston Place (catering manager: Jessica Smithson); www.charlestonplace.com
Ceremony location: Mother Emanuel A.M.E Church; www.emanuelamechurch.org
Florist: Frederick Florist; www.frederickflorist.com
Groom and groomsmen’s attire: Men's Warehouse; www.menswearhouse.com
Music: (ceremony) Travis Jones, the Johnson Family, Wayne Singleton; (reception) The Company Band
Officiant: Bishop Sitton, Reverend Hope Coleman
Photographer: Goodstuff Creative Photography; www.goodstuffcreative.com
Planner: Franklin Brown
Reception location: Charleston Place; www.charlestonplace.com
Welcome bags:The Buttercup Gifts and Stationery; www.thebuttercupcharlotte.com

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