Classic Black and White Wedding in Georgia: Terrica + Jamael

Terrica and Jamael’s love story is the perfect example of the phrase “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” “Our first date was Valentine’s Day. Jay thought the date went great while I on the other hand thought the date went horribly!” Terrica says. Jamael had talked the entire night about philosophy, a topic that didn’t spark his future bride’s interest at all. “We went on a second date to go bowling where I hoped he would loosen up. However, after the second date I told him he was too uptight for me and I wasn’t interested in a 3rd date,” she says. They remained friends on social media but didn’t speak or see one another for almost 3 years. But one day she liked one of his photos on Instagram and he mentioned her in a comment asking if she was still in Atlanta and suggested that they hang out sometime. They met up the following weekend to go for a run in the park and Terrica’s perception of him changed completely.

The couple wed in a beautiful black and white wedding at the Old Decatur Courthouse on The Square. Minimalist decor and stunning fashion made this classic wedding a true beauty. Take a look at Terrica and Jamael’s classic black and white wedding in Georgia. Photography by Elle Danielle.

Quick Facts
Favorite item on the menu: The Southern Grits Bar with shrimp, lobster and crab.
Bridesmaids/Groomsmen gifts: Customized Converse sneakers, bow ties, and socks & Their bridesmaids dresses, sterling silver compact mirror with engraved initials, jewelry.
First dance song: “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
Tell us all about the proposal!
He proposed in Breckenridge, Colorado. We took a group ski trip with about 30 of our friends. On the first night of the ski trip while at dinner he popped the big question. I knew something was going on because everyone was acting a little strange. Everyone kept asking what I was gonna wear that night, suggesting that I put on something more dressy and makeup. As the last part of the meal was coming out Jay got everyone’s attention and then dropped to one knee.
Describe your wedding dress. What was wedding shopping like for you? My wedding dress was simple and elegant. It was a trumpet style fit with a long train. It was very important to me to have a long dramatic train. The dress originally had a 24” long train. I had a detachable train added to make it more dramatic and added 36 more inches to make it a cathedral length train. I always said my wedding day would be the only day that I could appropriately have a long dramatic train, so that is exactly what I did.What is your best memory from your wedding?
Our wedding was a surprise wedding. Nobody knew we were getting married except our parents and grandparents. So one of my most favorite memories was surprising my bridesmaids. Everyone thought that July 3rd was our engagement party and that we were eloping in Greece the following month. I had my bridesmaids meet me at my bridal suite and told them we were meeting at my Mom’s hotel room. When I surprised them with their bridesmaids dresses and gifts and told them that I was getting married, they were all so in shock. The looks of surprise on their faces and the happy tears was exactly what I wanted when I had a surprise wedding in mind.
Did you incorporate any culture into your wedding?
I’m from Louisiana and tradition there is to have a second line at your wedding. I decorated our “bride” and “groom” umbrellas myself and at the end of the night we played my alma mater, Southern University’s Jukebox second line version of “Do What You Wanna” and we second lined all the way out of the building.
What is the best wedding advice you can give to engaged couples?
Have some date nights when you consciously don’t discuss anything wedding related. The wedding planning starts to take over all the conversations at some point. It was definitely nice to have those date nights where we just relaxed, had fun, and didn’t think about any deadlines, to – do lists or anything wedding related.

Vendors
Photography – Elle Danielle Photography
Wedding dress designer – Mori Lee
Dress salon – Anya’s Bridal
Bridesmaids dresses – Etsy
Hair/makeup – Trena Washington/Makeup by Shak
Shoes – Jimmy Choo
Wedding planner – Janel Elise
Events Florist – Darryl Weissman
Flowers Cake- Cami Cakes
Stationery- Wedding Paper Divas
Caterer – Epicurean Endeavors