Celebrating Black Brides: Profile #80

Couple: Tara Dublin and George Gullatt III

Date of Wedding: February 6, 1999

Place: First Missionary Baptist Church (Clayton, NC)

Officiant: Rev. Blanzie Williams

Fun facts:

The couple met in 1995 when the bride worked at McDonald's.  She spotted the groom out a mile away.  After  a brief courtship via phone, they disconnected, but luckily, the groom found her again months later by going to her job.  Although the bride was hesitant at first, she gave him her number (again) and the rest is history.

After dating for four years, the groom proposed at the bride's job.  He made sure that the bride's mother and grandmother were there to witness the proposal.

The couple has yet to go on a honeymoon but everyday of their marriage has been an adventure.

They will celebrate 20 years of marriage in four months and are so grateful and thankful to God.

Celebrating Black Brides: Profile #67

Couple: Erin Woodom and Meredith (Cole) Coleman, Jr.

Date of Wedding:  October 8, 2011

Place: Iberostar Rose Hall Suites (Montego Bay, Jamaica)

Officiant: Conrad Thomas

Fun facts: 

Both the bride and groom attended Winston-Salem State University at the same time and had several mutual friends but did not know each other.  They met one year after the bride graduated though some of their mutual friends. The bride was living in North Carolina at the time and the groom was living in New Jersey.

The groom was born on the 8th of September and the bride was born on the 8th of December.  They got married on the 8th of October (Beyonce and Jay-Z inspired, of course).

The couple had a destination wedding with almost 50 of their closest family and friends there to celebrate with them.

The wedding invitations were made to resemble airline tickets and all of the invitations were handmade by the bride with a little help from her mother and godmother.

The couple got married on the beach and it rained up until it was time for the ceremony.  In some cultures, rain before the wedding is seen as good luck---a cleansing or the washing away of the old for a new beginning.

Celebrating Black Brides: Profile #25

Couple: Dr. E. Renee Sanders and Dr. Bill Lawson

Date of Wedding:  July 4, 1997

Place: Tupper Memorial Baptist Church (Raleigh, NC)

Officiant: Reverend Victor Davis

Fun facts: 

The couple attended a wedding of mutual friends about 20 years before they began dating.

North Carolina’s 9th poet laureate introduced the groom to the bride.  

Guests at the couple's private ceremony were entertained by a harpist.

The couple enjoys traveling domestically and internationally.  Since marrying, they have visited over 15 countries together.

The bride is a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and the groom is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.

Celebrating Black Brides: Profile #19

Couple: Brandon Erby and Grejika Abram

Date of Wedding: July 18, 2015

Place: Cheniere Lake Park (West Monroe, Louisiana)

Officiant: Rev. Greg L. Oliver, Sr.

Fun facts: 

The couple met during freshman orientation week at Tougaloo College in 2008.

The bride and groom are fall 2009 initiates of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

The groom proposed on Valentine’s Day in 2014 by imitating the music video for the song “Come Close” by Common.

The wedding theme was vintage and country chic. There were over 30 individuals in the bridal party.

The bride’s dress was a fit and flare gown with a sweetheart neckline and dropped waist fully adorned with lace. It was embellished with rhinestones, pearls, and a buttoned-back that extended down her chapel train.

The bride declined a traditional veil in lieu of a rhinestone comb garnished with a string of pearls. The bride’s bouquet was handmade by her mother and bridesmaids.

The couple lived separately during their first year of marriage as they both attended different universities for graduate school.