A Duke Mansions Charlotte NC Wedding
Bryanna and Quinton crossed paths while studying at East Mecklenburg High School in 2010. Bryanna was new to the school and had no acquaintances initially, but she eventually found a circle of friends, including Quinton, who was known for his humor and ability to make people laugh. Despite graduating and going their separate ways, their bond grew more strong. While it took Bryanna some time to realize that Quinton was the one for her, he knew it all along. Their story inspires those who believe in true love and the power of friendship.
We'd love to hear all about your big day! What sparked your wedding vision and guided your planning? Were you drawn to a particular theme, aesthetic, or color scheme? Did you infuse any meaningful cultural or religious customs into the festivities? Your unique and inspiring wedding story is what we're eager to hear.
Our inspiration was a 'Happily Ever After.' As big Disney fans, we wanted the day to resemble a fairytale. We tried to have classic and timeless colors; there's beauty in simple classic colors like blush, white, gold, and silver. We chose to have communion. As Christians, it shows our gratitude and remembrance of what our Savior Jesus did for us.
Let's discuss the fascinating topic of wedding decor. We would love to know how you adorned your ceremony and reception space. Did you incorporate any DIY elements in the decor?
With our classic theme, we chose white drapes and a chandelier at the ceremony site. It brought a touch of elegance to the space. We chose large letters (B&Q) in the reception space for fun. We also 'DIY'-ed a hedge wall with flowers around the greenery and our last name in the middle (this was months in the making). Our flowers followed the same color scheme (blush, whites, greenery).
Are you bursting with valuable insights and recommendations on wedding planning or marital bliss? Share your wisdom with other couples while planning their special day and inspire them to make the most of their journey towards a lifetime of love and happiness.
When you're in the middle of planning, it seems like the wedding will take forever to get here; that's a lie, lol. Your day will be here before you know it, so make sure to document the whole experience, and I'm not just talking about pictures, have videos too! Not just the fun stuff (trying on dresses, bridal showers, bachelorette activities, and more), record yourself running errands, receiving packages, and making those bridesmaid/groomsmen gifts. You will enjoy looking back and seeing all the progress you've made. Trust your vendors enough. If you want to plan a wedding in under a year, IT CAN BE DONE. Make sure you have a close-knit community and an Excel spreadsheet, and do your research, and you will be fine! Finally, at some point, you have to STOP looking at Pinterest/Instagram for ideas (~2 months out). If you continue looking for ideas, you will be changing things until the last minute, and that's not fun (for you or your vendors).
What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your wedding day that you looked forward to most?
Oh man, this is hard! There were many moments. The first look with my dad and bridesmaids was so memorable! Walking down the aisle was epic; I was trying to take it all in, and seeing Quinton at the end of the aisle almost crying was beautiful and something I'll never forget. All the musical/dance elements were enjoyable and had us smiling from ear to ear :)
Tell us about the flowers that graced your wedding day. Did you incorporate flowers into your design schemes, such as in the bride's bouquet, table centerpieces, or ceremony backdrop? How significant did they play in the overall aesthetic of your special day? Share your story and inspire others with your beautiful floral arrangements.
We chose flowers in the color scheme (blush, white, green, burgundy). We could use these flowers for the bridal and bridesmaid's bouquets, centerpieces for the reception, and giant urns at the ceremony site. The flowers were a big part of the wedding; we were so pleased with how everything turned out!
Did you add personal touches, such as unique food trucks or guest entertainment, to make your special day stand out? Also, what were some of the most memorable moments you treasure from your wedding day?
We personalized the day by incorporating different types of music and dance. For example, our father/ daughter and mother/son dances were non-traditional; instead of one song each, we chose to have choreography for several songs. And, of course, we had touches of Disney throughout the ceremony and reception. I also choreographed a dance for the bridal party and close family; we're excited to see that video!
Fashion is the topic of the hour. So how did you both decide on your wedding day attire?
I wanted a classic look that was elegant, beautiful and represented who I am. My ivory wedding dress had a sweetheart neckline, and the entire dress was full of lace down to the train. Speaking of the train, it was gorgeous and relatively long. I also chose a cathedral veil to complete the look. Next, Quinton chose an ivory tuxedo jacket with reflective flowers to match my wedding dress. Next, he chose black tuxedo pants, with shiny black shoes and an ivory bowtie to top it off.
Share the story of how you two first crossed paths and eventually decided to spend the rest of your lives together. We would love to hear all the romantic details of the proposal.
It was Christmas Eve Eve [Dec. 23, 2020], and Quinton, my family, and I were going ice skating at the Whitewater Center. He was exceptionally dressed, while I wore a black Santa shirt and jingle bells — I should've known something was up. A photographer asked if he could take action shots of us on the ice, and I thought nothing of it. The photographer told me to go for a spin, and just as I turned, there was Quinton with the ring. He popped the question, and when I said yes, he jumped up and screamed, "SHE SAID YES!" Once I came to grips with what happened, I looked up, and all my family and friends were there standing with masks on and cameras in their hands, capturing the moment. It was truly magical.
