Jahnisha and Jerrod are indeed a power couple. The two D.C. lawyers not only embodied high-class elegance within their ballroom ceremony – but also share a rich love for one another that was distinctively displayed in visual form within their wedding photos, captured by Ashley Gerrity, of Ashely Gerrity Photograhy.
Since they say there’s two sides to every love story – Jahnisa and Jerrod are each sharing their side of their charming love story! Read on for more while viewing visuals from this Vibrant Ballroom Wedding at the luxe, Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, DE.
Bride: Jahnisa Loadholt
Groom: Jarrod Loadholt
Occupations: Jahnisa: Associate at Alston & Bird, LLC in Washington, D.C.| Jarrod: Senior Counsel for the House Committee on Financial Services.
Wedding date: 09/04/2015
Wedding location: Hotel du Pont, Wilmington, DE
How They Met: From Jahnisa’s perspective
We met in a Morehouse constitutional law class in 2005 while I was at Clark Atlanta University and Jarrod was a Morehouse College. The AUC allows students to cross register and take classes at the other institutions so I signed up to take con law at Morehouse. All I remember was a young, handsome guy in a suit (it was college so this stood out), introducing himself to me. I was polite but did not encourage any further conversation (being one of only two women in an all-male class meant I had to stay focused).
Over the years, Jarrod and I kept up with each other via social networks. We both went to law school and became lawyers. Unbeknownst to me, Jarrod developed a crush on me in that con law class. So when he saw me years later in 2011 at a lawyers event in Atlanta, he invited me to lunch. I thought his invite was one of those professional courtesy invites that lawyers toss out haphazardly. I accepted the invitation. The very next day (I believe), Jarrod sent me an email about scheduling a time for lunch and we were able to put a lunch on the calendar.
A miscommunication happened and we both went to the wrong restaurant. We eventually rescheduled our lunch date but I had a work conflict and had to cancel. Feeling bad over the cancellation, however, I called and asked Jarrod if he wanted to meet for a drink after work. He accepted my invitation to meet for a drink. Interestingly, though we had known of each other for years, this was the first time we had ever exchanged more than a few words. During our conversation, I was struck by just how smart and confident Jarrod is. I mean he just naturally oozes with intelligent and self-assuredness.
After talking to Jarrod for about an hour, I knew I wanted to get to know him more. So when he asked me if I would be interested in meeting him for a drink over the weekend, I immediately accepted his offer. As luck would have it, we ended up not just meeting for a drink to watch college football, Jarrod ’s favorite pastime, but also meeting for dinner that evening. And as they say, the rest is history”
The Proposal: From Jarrod’s Perspective
When we began dating, Jahnisa noted that she wanted to be engaged by 30. Since I had known she was the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with at the beginning of our relationship, I readily began contemplating how I would propose when she turned 29. I began ring shopping in Winter 2013, and when Jahnisa said that she wanted a big birthday in Vegas for her 30th, I knew I would propose in Vegas on the night that she would turn 30.
Fast forward to June 2014, and I flew out to Vegas for her birthday with the ring in tow prepared to propose. We had a birthday dinner with her friends, and there were plans to go out for her birthday that night, but I knew I had to propose before midnight so I had a short window while we were in our hotel room to propose before we went out for the night.
On our way back to the hotel room, we got lost and walked to the wrong room! When we finally made it to the room, Jahnisa insisted on going to the bathroom — a development that would’ve prevented a timely engagement. So, I convinced Jahnisa to come to the bedroom where I was waiting on one knee with the ring to give to her as her 30th birthday gift, and I proposed to her a few minutes before she turned 30. ”
Describe your wedding dress! What was wedding shopping like for you?
My wedding dress was designed by Romona Keveza from her Legends collection. It is a floor-length mermaid dress with a crystal lace bodice, sweetheart neckline and a drop waist. I knew I wanted a lace dress but when I saw the crystal lace in my dress, I fell in love on sight. Although I bought my dress from Kleinfeld, I did not intend to purchase my dress there. I went just with the intent to look around the shop since I am a fan of “Say Yes to the Dress.” I had gone dress shopping over the Christmas holiday with all the women in my family, including my future mother in law and sister in law. Going shopping with an entourage was fun but I am more decisive when I am alone.
So while on a trip to NYC to see a Broadway show, I made an appointment at Kleinfeld for just me. I tried on 6 dresses and almost purchased another dress before I realized that the crystal lace Romona Keveza dress was my dream dress. While in the dressing room, I made sure to send my mother pictures so she felt part of the experience. My dress choice was perfect for me and made me feel like a princess on our day.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
Jahnisa: My mother, who’s very crafty, decorated a broom for us and we jumped the broom in the culture of our ancestors. Our officiant also gave a background story of broom jumping during our ceremony.
Quick Facts:
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: Bridesmaid gifts: I gave my bridesmaids black silk robes for them to relax in during the day.
Groomsmen: Jarrod gave his groomsmen monogrammed cuff links and for my younger brothers, he gifted them with monogrammed overnight bags.
First dance song: We danced to Luther Vandross and Beyonce’s rendition of “The Closer I Get to You.” While planning our wedding, we realized that we wanted to use classic songs to commemorate the day (we only used Nat King Cole songs as the soundtrack for our wedding website). However, we still wanted a modern feel to our first dance. So we decided on an updated version of “The Closer I Get To You.”
What is your best memory from your wedding?
Jahnisa: My best memory was walking down the aisle to Jarrod and seeing him waiting for us to take the vows that would make us man and wife. Because I was walking to Jarrod, I suggested that he choose the bridal processional song. He chose “You Are So Beautiful” by Joe Cocker, saying that it made him think of me. We did a first look and I was nervous that, by doing a first look, that would ruin the experience of walking down the aisle. I could not have been more wrong. Surrounded by our family and friends and on the arms of my fathers, the experience of walking down the aisle to the song Jarrod chose for us was one of the most amazing moments of my life.
Jarrod: My best memory was seeing Jahnisa walk down the aisle with both of her fathers to Joe Cocker’s “You Are So Beautiful.” It is one of my father’s favorite songs, and it has always been a favorite song of mine as well, and I thought it captured that moment perfectly for me.”
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
“Have fun planning because everything about the day should be fun and joyous, even the planning leading up to it. And hire a planner to ensure that you only get to deal with the “fun” parts of planning.”
Vendors
Photography: Ashley Gerrity and Rachel Pray, Ashley Gerrity Photography
Wedding Planner/Day of Coordinator: Shannon Dawson, Elevation Events and Design (Atlanta, GA)
Floral Design: Twisted Vine (Wilmington, DE)
Hair: Ebon Flagg, Babe Styling Studios (Wilmington, DE)
Makeup: Shanah MUA
Stationery: Elevation Events and Design (Atlanta, Georgia)
Ceremony/Reception Venue: Hotel du Pont (Wilmington, Delaware)
Caterer: Hotel du Pont
Cake: Hotel du Pont
Linens: Hotel du Pont
DJ: Ian Dawson, Sound Reinforcement (Atlanta, GA)
Lighting: Hotel du Pont
Favors: Elevation Events and Design (Atlanta, GA)
Wedding Dress Designer: Romona Keveza
Wedding Dress Salon: Kleinfeld
Bride’s Shoes: Badly Mischka
Bridesmaids Dresses: Alfred Sung
Wedding/Engagement Rings: Union Diamond (engagement ring) | Frederick McCoy (Jahnisa’s wedding band)/Zales (Jarrod’s wedding band)
Men’s Suits Designer: Alton Lane (Washington, DC)
Men’s Suits Store: Alton Lane
What a beautiful couple! The visuals are stunning.