Bohemian Inspired Garden Wedding in North Carolina

Bohemian inspired garden wedding in North Carolina is a celebration of love, joy, and Black culture.

A creative wedding hashtag can set the tone for an inspiring wedding day. For Lamar and Simone, they used their last name, Boyd, to create the hashtag #BlackBoydJoy. The hashtag compelled them to create a wedding experience celebrating “how black people find joy in this country.” Simone also found inspiration from her husband Lamar, who always “fights for his joy and only wants joy for [others].” 

To create a beautiful and culture-filled wedding experience for their guests, they played gospel music as their bridal party walked down the aisle, chose their favorite takeout for their reception, and had “Rap Snacks” as party favors. Their wedding was a true celebration of joy and Black culture!

Keep reading below for more details on their Bohemian inspired garden wedding (Featured in our Fall/Winter 2021 Magazine).

• Couple: Lamar Boyd & Simone Boyd
• Wedding Date: July 31st, 2021
• Location of Wedding: WRAL Azalea Garden in Raleigh, North Carolina

Quick facts:

• Wedding flowers: Stems Market designed by Izabelle Drake
• Favorite item on menu: Rap Snacks
• Bridesmaids/groomsmen gifts: The bridesmaids received individualized prints from artists Amorous Abyss. The groomsmen were given personalized boxes with socks, cigars, a book of positive affirmations, personalized flasks, and sunglasses.
• Favorite image: kissing in the Sunflower Field.
• First dance song: “World We Created” by Giveon
• Advice for brides: Trust your choice

How they met…

Lamar and Simone first met the Tuesday after Labor Day in Los Angeles, California.

“I was in town for a girls’ trip and he was there visiting a friend,” Simone recalls. “I first saw him in a museum called The Broad. Later, he saw my friend and I walking on the street and asked if he could take our picture. After taking a few shots, we exchanged IG handles so that he could send us the pictures he had taken. The rest is history.”

The proposal…

Lamar asked Simone to marry him on a vacation in Mexico City.

On the last day of their trip, the pair had a 7 course dinner planned. They dressed fancy, planned to take photos for Instagram, and enjoyed the beautiful Airbnb they were staying in. The house had a courtyard, spiral staircase, classic library, and an oval shaped ceiling-less room with potted plants adorning the walls.

As the night went on, Lamar eventually asked Simone where she’d like to take photos. She chose the room without a ceiling and the concierge snapped a few photos of them. Looking at the photos the concierge took, Lamar asked if he could take another.

Simone remembers every moment of what happened next!

“Looking forward to switching my pose to better show off my hairdo, I turned back to find Lamar on one knee looking deep into my eyes. My eyes started to well and as my reflection, so did his. Before you know it, we both started crying. I said, “of course” and I crouched down and kissed him. We both stood up and he slid the ring on my finger.”

When they knew they found “the one”…

Since the beginning of their relationship, marriage was always a topic for these two.

“There are many things that let me know that Lamar was the one,” Simone admits. “The way we communicated through our differences was one thing.”

This was especially true when they navigated a long distance phase in their relationship.

“Lamar was also very patient with me. He always did what he said he would do. After nine months of dating long distance, I moved in with him. I was up praying about us, and I heard in my spirit “Trust your choice.” After that, I rested in that I chose him to be The One.”

Cultural elements…

A big part of their wedding was creating a hashtag representing their love and culture.

“Our last name is Boyd. Lamar let me choose the hashtag for our wedding. I came up with #BlackBoydJoy. No matter what my husband is going through, he fights for his joy and he only wants joy for people.”

After coining their hashtag, everything else seemed to come together.

“We wanted our wedding to be the shared experience of how black people find joy in this country. We played gospel music as the bridal party came down the aisle, we chose our favorite takeout for our reception, and we had Rap Snacks as party favors.”

Wedding style…

Overall, the pair wanted a bohemian vibe for their wedding.

“We have plants in our home… [and] burn candles and incense. We wanted to bring the comfort of our home to our wedding.”

So, they incorporated pampas grass, earth tones, and other natural touches into their décor.

Wedding dress & favorite accessory…

For her wedding dress, Simone chose an Aline 3D printed long-sleeve dress with a bedazzled waist. The sleeves were sheer with embroidered flowers and the dress’s back was also sheer with beautiful buttons.

“I loved my dress,” she says. “My favorite wedding accessory was my sun crown. I knew I wanted a different type of veil. When you look up bohemian weddings on Pinterest, you come across women in deserts with dried flower crowns. Then, I saw a sun crown that had beading that came across the forehead. I fell in love with it, and it reminded me of the same headpiece I wore for our engagement shoot. I was going to try to make the crown to save money, but I got overwhelmed in Michael’s…[and] ordered it off of Etsy.”

Best wedding day memory…

Simone’s favorite memory was at the very end of their reception – but not at all for what you’d think!

Initially, the pair were going to be sent off on their honeymoon with sparklers. Instead, their friends were helping them take out garbage and decorations because they needed to leave the venue by a certain time.

“I was overwhelmed by the love and support for me and my husband. I was just told to sit down because this was my day.”

Advice for other engaged couples…

No matter what, Simone and Lamar advise other engaged couples to “stick to your boundaries” and to remember “it’s your day and your wedding and your marriage.”

“Everyone has thoughts and opinions about your day and how they fit into that day,” Simone says. “Do what you and your partner want to do, and only have people in attendance that want to see your marriage succeed.”

She emphasizes on the importance of surrounding yourself with people that “speak life into your relationship.”

Also, to go over EVERY detail and expectation with your wedding planners and coordinators. “Be clear about what you want and how you expect what you want to be executed.”

Looking for more Bohemian inspired garden wedding inspiration?

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Vendors:

• Photography & Videography: Optikool Illusions Photography and Media, LLC
• Reception venue: The Cannon Room, Raleigh, NC
• Ceremony venue: WRAL Azalea Garden
• Event decor/design: Us
• Entertainment: Willie Kinsler
• Bride’s dress: Galina Signature
• Bridal salon: David’s Bridal
• Bride’s headpiece and/or veil: Carbickova Crowns
• Bride’s shoes: BCBG
• Bridesmaids dresses: Custom made by Jenelle Springer @nelly2fine
• Cakes/desserts: Nothing Bundt Cakes
• Catering: Waffle House/CookOut
• Florals: Izabelle Drake @_izabelle_joys_flowers for Stems Market @stemsmarket
• Groom’s attire: Suit Supply
• Groomsmen attire: Suit Supply
• Hair: Treasure Primus-Swift @fortheloveof_locs
• Makeup: Joansie Rose MUA @joansierosemua
• Stationery: With Joy
• Nails: Zsmeria Rayford @zszsaglam